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Sam Ukwuachu: Football Player's Alleged Rape Victim Hires John Clune for 'Potential Litigation'

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While administrators and football personnel at Baylor and Boise State Universities try to sort out who knew what about Sam Ukwuachu, the woman he was convicted of raping hired an expert Title IX lawyer.

According to ESPN, the former Baylor soccer player hired John Clune to represent her in any "potential civil litigation" that could result from ongoing investigations related to her complaint. The former student-athlete at Baylor accused Ukwuachu, a transfer football player from Boise State, of raping her in Oct. 2013 and he was convicted on one of two charges of sexual assault earlier this month.

Clune is most well known for representing Erica Kinsman, the female former student at Florida State University (FSU) who accused Jameis Winston of raping her when he was still a recruit for the Seminoles. Kinsman has ongoing lawsuits against Winston for the alleged sexual assault and against FSU for mishandling her initial complaint.

"At the request of the victim and her parents, our firm has been retained to investigate a number of issues surrounding this case," Clune said in a statement obtained by ESPN. "We are glad to see that President [Ken] Starr and Baylor have chosen to conduct their own investigation and look forward to learning the outcome of that process. Regardless of what facts these investigations may bare, there is a significant teachable moment here for all in higher education and we are hopeful that Baylor University embraces that great opportunity."

Starr announced last week that Baylor would open "a comprehensive internal inquiry" to determine if the school's athletic department knew of allegations of domestic abuse against Ukwuachu at the time of his transfer in May 2013. Baylor head football coach Art Briles stated his understanding was the Ukwuachu was depressed, homesick, and in an unhealthy relationship.

In an update Friday, Starr stated he recommended Baylor's "Board of Regents retain the services of outside counsel to investigate thoroughly these matters and recommend continued improvements."

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