Who is Tom Mars? Trinidad Chambliss attorney has history with NCAA, Ole Miss
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OXFORD — Ole Miss football quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has had high-profile legal representation throughout his pending waiver request with the NCAA.
Tom Mars is representing Chambliss. Ole Miss got bad news on Jan. 9 when Chambliss’ medical redshirt waiver request was denied for the 2026 season. But Ole Miss will appeal, according to AD Keith Carter.
Mars is an Arkansas-based attorney who is an accomplished trial lawyer. He has built a reputation for taking on the NCAA. Here’s what to know.
Why Trinidad Chambliss hired Tom Mars
Chambliss said Ole Miss put him in contact with Mars, and he’s been hired for about three weeks.
“He was the best at the time,” Chambliss said Dec. 30. “Some of our coaches have made us connect. We felt like that was the best choice, to go with Tom.”
Tom Mars history with Ole Miss football, Houston Nutt, Hugh Freeze
In 2017, Mars represented former Ole Miss football coach Houston Nutt in his defamation lawsuit against Ole Miss.
The lawsuit was fallout from former football coach Hugh Freeze’s resignation in connection with calling a female escort service.
Mars and Nutt received a settlement from Ole Miss that included an apology.
Who has Tom Mars represented?
Mars has represented a number of high-profile sports clients. He has built a reputation as the pre-eminent lawyer for top clients in dispute with the NCAA.
Mars represented quarterback Justin Fields in 2018 when he was transferring from Georgia and seeking immediate eligibility at Ohio State.
He also represented former Ole Miss quarterback Shea Patterson, who field a waiver request in 2018 to play at Michigan.
Mars has also represented coaches, including Tom Crean at Indiana basketball and Jim Harbaugh at Michigan.
What Tom Mars said about Trinidad Chambliss appeal
Chambliss’ legal battle may just be getting under way.
Before Carter announced Ole Miss would appeal, Mars provided a statement to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
“I assume that Ole Miss will file an appeal with the NCAA,” Mars said. “That said, there is now an opportunity to move this case to a level playing field where Trinidad’s rights will be determined by the Mississippi judiciary instead of some bureaucrats in Indianapolis who couldn’t care less about the law or doing the right thing.”
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Who is Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss’ attorney Tom Mars?
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