Lawsuit Filed against Western Kentucky University and Various Fraternal Defendants: Potential Effects on National and Chapter Liability

 Haellie Gordon, [1] Fraternal Law Partners, hgordon@manleyburke.com On February 7, 2022, Emily Thurman, a student at Western Kentucky University (“WKU”) and member of the Kappa Delta Sorority, filed a complaint in the Warren Circuit Court of Kentucky. The named defendants...
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Pennsylvania Federal District Court Dismisses Case Regarding Hazing

Timothy M. Burke, Fraternal Law Partners, tburke@manleyburke.com A Federal District Court in Pennsylvania dismissed a case[1] against Bucknell University, essentially finding that the University had no duty to prevent a fraternity hazing incident that resulted in alcohol poisoning and a...
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High Profile Suicide Raises Concerns About University Discipline and Student Mental Health

Micah E. Kamrass, Fraternal Law Partners, MKamrass@Manleyburke.com On March 1, 2022, Katie Meyer was found dead in her on-campus residence at Stanford University. She was twenty-two (22) years old. Meyer was the championship-winning Goalie and Captain of the Stanford Women’s...
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Virginia Poised to Adopt New Anti-Hazing Law, The Adam Oakes Law

Timothy M. Burke, Fraternal Law Partners, tburke@manleyburke.com Adam Oakes died on February 27, 2021, of alcohol poisoning resulting from a hazing incident at a Virginia Commonwealth University fraternity. A year later, he joins Timothy Piazza in Pennsylvania, Max Gruver in...
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Third Circuit Finds University Owed Student Title IX Protection Against Non-Student Offender

 Haellie Gordon, [1] Fraternal Law Partners, hgordon@manleyburke.com [1] Haellie Gordon is a law clerk at Manley Burke and is a first-year law student at the University of Cincinnati.             Back in March 2017, David Westol wrote about a Title IX...
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The State Of Michigan And The City Of Ypsilanti Brought Suit Against A Fraternity, Alleging It To Be A Public Nuisance

Tim Burke, Fraternal Law Partners, tburke@manleyburke.com On January 5, 2022, the prosecutor of Washtenaw County, Michigan, on behalf of the State of Michigan, and the City of Ypsilanti, jointly sued Theta Xi Chapter of Delta Tau Delta at Eastern Michigan...
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Fraternity Sued for Negligence Following Death Caused by Drug Overdose

Tim Burke, Fraternal Law Partners, tburke@manleyburke.com On the morning of January 17, 2020, Eitan Weiner, 19 years old, was found dead in a bathroom stall in the Theta Delta Chi house at Stanford University. Last month, his parents, dad a...
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Supreme Court to Hear Case That Could Impact Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts On College Campuses Throughout the Country

Haellie Gordon[1], Fraternal Law Partners, hgordon@manleyburke.com On January 24, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States granted certiorari, and will hear the Students For Fair Admissions’ appeal in their challenge to race-conscious admission policies at Harvard University and at...
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Foltz Family Dismisses All Claims Against Pi Kappa Alpha

Micah E. Kamrass, Fraternal Law Partners, MKamrass@Manleyburke.com Here in Fraternal Law, we have previously reported a couple of different times about the civil lawsuit and criminal charges that arose from the tragic hazing death of Stone Foltz, a former student...
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NIC Responds to 60 MINUTES Story

Tim Burke, Fraternal Law Partners, tburke@manleyburke.com  On Sunday November 28th 60 MINUTES featured story described the terrible alcohol fueled hazing related death of Sam Martinez.  It was a terrible tragedy.  The actions leading to his death violated the law, university rules...
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