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Trump administration investigating Smith for admitting transgender women
The U.S. Department of Education is investigating Smith College, an all-women’s college in Northampton, for admitting transgender women.
Education – Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement
Where (1) a complaint was filed challenging the Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement, which compels colleges and universities to disclose certain data concerning student admissions, (2) a request by 17 states, including Massachusetts, for a preliminary injunction was allowed, and (3) several associations of colleges and universities and one group of colleges have intervened essentially [...]
Judge: professor may have claim to trade secrets
A Northeastern University professor is the owner of trade secrets that she alleges another professor and former student misappropriated, a Superior Court judge has found.
Education – Sexual harassment – Strict liability
Where a plaintiff was sexually assaulted by his high school special education paraprofessional, who pleaded guilty to two counts of rape of a child, the plaintiff should be awarded summary judgment on Count I, alleging a violation of the right to be free of sexual harassment pursuant to G.L.c. 214 §1C.
Education – Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement
Where 17 states, including Massachusetts, have challenged a new requirement promulgated by the U.S. Department of Education that compels colleges and universities to disclose certain data concerning student admissions, the states’ motion for a preliminary injunction should be granted because they have established that they are likely to succeed on the merits of their claim that the challenged ag[...]
Education – Trade secrets – Standing
Where a university professor has alleged misappropriation of her trade secrets, a motion to dismiss the complaint should be denied despite the defendants’ argument that the plaintiff lacks standing based on a patent policy in the faculty handbook.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects Massachusetts school gender-identity policy challenge
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge by Massachusetts parents over a school policy supporting student gender identity without parental consent.
In tenure battle, Tufts medical professors secure $4.3M verdict
A Superior Court judge awarded $4.3M to Tufts professors, finding tenure contracts were breached by salary cuts tied to research funding mandates.
Education – SEVP certification – Stay
Where a plaintiff university was granted a preliminary injunction to prevent the defendants from revoking its Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, the case should be stayed pending resolution of the defendants’ appeal of that ruling.
Judge allows special education jail lawsuit to proceed
A Superior Court judge allowed a class action proceed alleging the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education failed its duty to provide special education services to incarcerated students.
Are swastikas always hate speech? Suit against Hamilton College says no
A New York State Supreme Court justice allowed a defamation lawsuit by a former Hamilton College student expelled over swastika graffiti to proceed.
Family can sue Brandeis over student’s suicide
A Superior Court judge ruled that the family can sue Brandeis University for alleged inaction by campus police in a student's suicide case.
Verdicts & Settlements
- Injury during baby’s adenoidectomy leads to stroke
- Construction worker’s hand caught in cement mixer
- Worker trapped in freezer, dies during steam cleaning
- Pedestrian, 69, hit by motor vehicle while in crosswalk
- Four-vehicle pileup leaves driver with spinal cord injury
- Nursing home staff blamed for kidney-failure death
- Pharmacy’s late delivery blamed for patient’s death
- Man, 25, drowns after swimming lesson at fitness club
Opinion Digests
- Jurisdiction – Forum selection clause – Non-signatory
- Criminal – Responsibility
- Attorneys – Lien
- Landlord and tenant – Default judgment
- Zoning – Constructive grant – Comprehensive permit
- Fraud – False Claims Act – Settlement share
- Civil practice – Discovery – Cybersecurity
