Cases

Bailey, Estate of Gordon Lynn vs. Chi Psi Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Bailey, Estate of Gordon Lynn vs. Chi Psi Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Gordie died just 3 weeks after arriving on campus. He was only eighteen.

Colorado District Court, Boulder County, Case No. 2006CV424

Baker, Estate of Najee Ali vs. Wake Forest University, et al

Baker, Estate of Najee Ali vs. Wake Forest University, et al

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals is taking up the wrongful death lawsuit against Wake Forest University.

United States District Court, Middle District of North Carolina, Case No. 1:19-cv-000477-CCE-LPA

Beletsis, Estate of Alexander vs. Theta Chi Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Beletsis, Estate of Alexander vs. Theta Chi Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Superior Court of California, County of Santa Cruz, Case No. 19CV03287

Braham, Estate of Marquise vs. Pennsylvania State UniversityBraham, Estate of Marquise vs. Pennsylvania State University

Braham, Estate of Marquise vs. Pennsylvania State University

Marquise Braham died March 14, 2014, after having lunch with his mom. Marquise told his mom "I'll be right back" and went to a nearby hotel and jumped 10 stories from the roof.

Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Dauphin County, Case No. 2016CV4288

Carrington, Estate of Matthew vs. Chi Tau, et al.

Carrington, Estate of Matthew vs. Chi Tau, et al.

We advised the family about necessary legislative changes and Matt’s Mom, Debbie Smith, convinced the California Legislature and Governor Schwarzenegger to enact “Matt’s Law.”

Superior Court of California, County of Butte, Case No. 134286

Castro, Estate of Bea Angelika Macabasco vs. Chi Sigma Phi Sorority, et al

Castro, Estate of Bea Angelika Macabasco vs. Chi Sigma Phi Sorority, et al

Superior Court of California, County of Orange, Case No. 30-2019-01114386

Chamberlin, Cabri vs. Psi Upsilon Fraternity, et al and Individual Defendants

Chamberlin, Cabri vs. Psi Upsilon Fraternity, et al and Individual Defendants

United States District Court, District of Connecticut, Case No. 3:14-cv-00308

Culolias, Estate of Jack vs. Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Culolias, Estate of Jack vs. Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Arizona Superior Court, Maricopa County, Case No. CV2014-007357

Davis, Estate of Dr. Maria Ragland vs. Dr. Amy Bishop, James Anderson & Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs of University Alabama Huntsville, et al.

Davis, Estate of Dr. Maria Ragland vs. Dr. Amy Bishop, James Anderson & Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs of University Alabama Huntsville, et al.

Circuit Court of Madison County, Alabama, Civil Action No. CV-11-900037

Desdunes, Estate of George vs. Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Desdunes, Estate of George vs. Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Established precedent in New York and obtained a confidential multi-million dollar settlement.

Marie Lourdes André, the mother of deceased Cornell University student George Desdunes, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity (“SAE”), its officers and members. The suit sought to hold SAE, its chapter officers and members responsible for his death by hazing as that term is defined generally, under the laws of the State of New York, and the "Guidebook" of Cornell.

DeVercelly, Estate of Gary, Jr. vs. Rider University, Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity and Individual Defendants

DeVercelly, Estate of Gary, Jr. vs. Rider University, Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity and Individual Defendants

The settlement had two primary components, one of which is confidential, the other includes fundamental, ground-breaking changes at Rider University.

New Jersey Superior Court, Mercer County, Law Division, Docket No. MER-L-003199-07

Dhanens, Estate of Philip vs. Theta Chi Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Dhanens, Estate of Philip vs. Theta Chi Fraternity and Individual Defendants

The case against all defendants, including the national fraternity, local chapter, and members, was resolved for a confidential significant financial amount at mediation.

California Superior Court, Fresno County, Case No. 13 CEGG 00801

Doe, Jane vs. Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, et al and Wesleyan University

Doe, Jane vs. Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, et al and Wesleyan University

Rape at Fraternity with Long-Documented History of Dangerous Misconduct

United States District Court, District of Connecticut, Case No. 3:12-cv-01428

Doe, Jane vs. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, et al.Doe, Jane vs. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, et al.

Doe, Jane vs. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, et al.

On November 3, 2015, a fellow student abducted Ms. Doe from the campus of Myers Park High School and sexually assaulted her in the woods adjacent to the campus. The assailant was never disciplined.

United States District Court, Western District of North Carolina, Civil Action No. 3:18-cv-00586

Doe, John vs. Holt Public Schools

Doe, John vs. Holt Public Schools

Our action against Holt Public Schools is for its violation of our client's rights under Title IX and his substantive due process rights under the 14th Amendment.

United States District Court, Western District of Michigan, Case No. 1:20-cv-00341

Doe, John vs. Russell County School Board, et al.

Doe, John vs. Russell County School Board, et al.

We secured a $1.1 Million settlement for John Doe and produced rulings that may guide future Title IX litigation.

Attorney Monica Beck filed a $10 Million lawsuit on behalf of a third-grader who suffered extreme sexual abuse at the hands of school custodian. The federal lawsuit garnered national attention and ignited a firestorm illuminating the scope of Title IX in K-12 schools.

Domingo, Estate of Noah vs. Individual DefendantsDomingo, Estate of Noah vs. Individual Defendants

Domingo, Estate of Noah vs. Individual Defendants

Superior Court of California, County of Orange, Case No. 30-2020-01174879

Former MLB Outfielder Chad Curtis’ Sexual Assault of 4 Student-Athletes

Former MLB Outfielder Chad Curtis’ Sexual Assault of 4 Student-Athletes

Obtained a $1.8 Million verdict on behalf of one of our four clients in Federal Court. All four women settled with Lakewood Public Schools and its Board of Education in Western Michigan for $575,000.

Four student-athletes alleged former MLB player Chad Curtis sexually assaulted them under the guise of performing therapeutic massages while being a volunteer coach in the weight room of Lakewood High School in Barry County, Michigan. He was convicted of criminal sexual conduct in October 2013 and is serving 7 to 14 years in prison.

Griffin, Estate of Brett vs. Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Griffin, Estate of Brett vs. Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity and Individual Defendants

University of Delaware freshman Brett Griffin died on Nov. 8, 2008, of alcohol poisoning after he drank heavily at the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity's "Big Brother" party.

Delaware Superior Court, New Castle County, C.A. No. 09C-04-067-JAP

Gruver, Estate of Maxwell vs. Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Gruver, Estate of Maxwell vs. Louisiana State University, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and Individual Defendants

United States District Court, Middle District of Louisiana, Case No. 3:18 CV 00772-SDD-EWD

Higuchi, Estate of Ross vs. Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity and Individual DefendantsHiguchi, Estate of Ross vs. Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Higuchi, Estate of Ross vs. Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Colorado District Court, Boulder County, Case No. 2012CV2380

Johnson, Estate of Dr. Adriel D. vs. Dr. Amy Bishop, James Anderson & Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs of University Alabama Huntsville, et al.

Johnson, Estate of Dr. Adriel D. vs. Dr. Amy Bishop, James Anderson & Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs of University Alabama Huntsville, et al.

Circuit Court of Madison County, Alabama, Civil Action No. CV-11-900038

Kansas State University Title IX Lawsuit

Kansas State University Title IX Lawsuit

Our lawsuit filed against Kansas State University by two former students, who were sexually assaulted, has been given clearance to proceed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

Tessa Farmer and Sara Weckhorst, were each brutally raped by KSU students at off-campus fraternity houses. Both reported the rapes to KSU and identified the perpetrators, one of whom is now in prison. KSU refused to investigate or take any action against the perpetrators, allowing them to remain on campus, and justified its indifference on the basis that the rapes occurred off-campus.

Liu, Estate of Chun “Michael” Deng vs. Pi Delta Psi Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Liu, Estate of Chun “Michael” Deng vs. Pi Delta Psi Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Monroe County, Case No. 3028CV2015

Martinez, Estate of Samuel H. vs. Washington State University, Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Martinez, Estate of Samuel H. vs. Washington State University, Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Superior Court of the State of Washington, Kings County, Case No. 20-2-11998-9 SEA

Mason, Estate of Samuel vs. Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Mason, Estate of Samuel vs. Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Virginia Circuit Court, Fairfax County, Case No. 2012-04085

Negligence Resulting in the Suicide of a 15-Year-Old Female

Negligence Resulting in the Suicide of a 15-Year-Old Female

Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland

Nizamutdinov, Estate of Rustam vs. Kappa Sigma Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Nizamutdinov, Estate of Rustam vs. Kappa Sigma Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Louisiana District Court, Lafayette County, Case No. 20175360

Ooltewah High School Basketball Team Hazing/Sexual Assault of Teammate

Ooltewah High School Basketball Team Hazing/Sexual Assault of Teammate

Filed suit against the school district, school and coaching staff under Title IX, Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act, and state law. Before trial, we accepted a substantial, six-figure settlement.

John Doe suffered a brutal sexual assault by his high school basketball teammates. Our firm filed suit against the school district, school and coaching staff under Title IX, Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act, and state law. The Court agreed with our claims, refused to dismiss the case, and issued a 60-page opinion setting legal standards that will help other survivors obtain justice.

Partamian, Estate of Arman vs. The “PIGS” Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Partamian, Estate of Arman vs. The “PIGS” Fraternity and Individual Defendants

New York Supreme Court, Queens County, Index No. 26069/09

Reardon, Daniel – Fraternity Initiation Death at Phi Sigma Kappa House at the University of Maryland – College Park

Reardon, Daniel – Fraternity Initiation Death at Phi Sigma Kappa House at the University of Maryland – College Park

Daniel Reardon, a freshman student at the University of Maryland - College Park, received a bid to join Phi Sigma Kappa. The Fraternity’s initiation began with “Bid Night."

Circuit Court of Prince George's County, Maryland

Rolling Stone Defamation Claim

Rolling Stone Defamation Claim

The lawsuits against Rolling Stone by the fraternity and its members were frivolous, quickly abandoned, and were successfully resolved for a small fraction of the $25 Million in damages sought.

Starkey, Estate of Carson vs. Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Starkey, Estate of Carson vs. Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and Individual Defendants

The substantial monetary portion of the settlement is confidential, yet was used by the family to start Aware Awake Alive, a non-profit which, in part, educates about the risks of hazing nationwide.

California Superior Court, San Luis Obispo County, Case No. CV 09 0534

Stirling, Estate of Terry vs. Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity Inc,. et al

Stirling, Estate of Terry vs. Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity Inc,. et al

Freshman Terry Stirling choked on his vomit after big brother/little brother night at the Alpha Tau Omega house at Old Dominion University.

Circuit Court of Norfolk County, Virginia, At Law No. 01-1762

Virginia Tech Massacre Settlement

Virginia Tech Massacre Settlement

Representing 21 families, we negotiated historic settlements valued in excess of $11 Million plus a lifetime of healthcare for all victims and non-monetary assistance.

We negotiated the historic settlements valued in excess of $11 Million for the wrongful deaths and injured survivors of the April 16, 2007 Virginia Tech Massacre. The settlement included financial compensation, health benefits, and non-monetary assistance. It established a foundation in their honor that continues to advocate for safe schools & gun control, which we continue to represent today.

Washington Navy Yard Shooting

Washington Navy Yard Shooting

The Washington Navy Yard shooting occurred on September 16, 2013 when 34-year-old Aaron Alexis fatally shot 12 people and injured three others in a mass shooting at the headquarters of NAVSEA.

United States District Court for the District of Columbia

Wiant, Estate of Collin Lewis vs. Sigma Pi Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Wiant, Estate of Collin Lewis vs. Sigma Pi Fraternity and Individual Defendants

Ohio Court of Common Pleas, Athens County, Case No. 19CI0043