Rutgers University announced Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP will take over for Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP in conducting an independent review of the men’s basketball program. 

As previously announced, the review will examine the university’s handling of issues leading to the April 3 dismissal of head basketball coach Mike Rice.

The selection of Skadden by the Board of Governors follows the decision by Cahill Gordon to resign from the assignment.  In its letter of resignation, Cahill Gordon cited “a development that could give rise to a perception of a lack of impartiality.”

“We discovered after the announcement of the engagement that the Connell Foley firm, which represented Cahill as local counsel in litigation in New Jersey, is the same firm that issued a report to Rutgers about the Coach Rice allegations,” said Cahill Gordon spokeswoman Lynn Tellefsen.

The university was notified May 3 of Cahill’s decision to resign.

Cahill will assist with a smooth transition to Skadden. The change in counsel will not delay the completion of the investigation and report. Skadden will act as quickly as possible to complete the review.

“Rutgers University accepts Cahill Gordon’s resignation with regret,” said Gerald Harvey, vice chairman of the Board of Governors, “and we look forward to working with Skadden on the review.

“The university has full confidence in Skadden’s expertise and the firm’s ability to conduct the kind of thorough, thoughtful and efficient review that will help Rutgers move forward.”

Leading the review for Skadden will be partners Stephen C. Robinson and Christopher J. Gunther. Robinson is a former federal judge and U.S. attorney with extensive experience conducting internal investigations.

“We look forward to getting started immediately and understand the importance of this matter to all members of the university community,” said Robinson.

As part of the review, Skadden will also make recommendations on any actions that should be taken by the Rutgers administration and the university’s governing bodies. The results of the review will be made public.

Established in 1766, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is America’s eighth-oldest institution of higher learning and one of the nation’s premier public research universities. Serving nearly 60,000 students on campuses in Camden, Newark and New Brunswick, Rutgers is one of only two New Jersey institutions represented in the prestigious Association of American Universities.