Denise Wallace has been general counsel of Florida A&M University for only two weeks, but already has found herself and her school embroiled in a high-profile legal controversy involving whether to name a former student and alleged rape victim who has sued the college.

The school and its defense lawyers, from Cozen O’Connor in Miami and Philadelphia, have insisted on the right to name the plaintiff, known only as S.B. in court. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker in Tallahassee has twice denied their request. They are appealing his latest ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.