Case: Hakim v. Regents of the University of Michigan

2:25-cv-11265 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Filed Date: May 1, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

Eight former employees brought a civil rights lawsuit against the University of Michigan, alleging that they were fired in retaliation for their participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The complaint was filed on May 1, 2025 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, asserting violations of plaintiffs' First Amendment rights and Fourteenth Amendment due process rights. The plaintiffs–represented by the Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice, and the Amer…

Eight former employees brought a civil rights lawsuit against the University of Michigan, alleging that they were fired in retaliation for their participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

The complaint was filed on May 1, 2025 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, asserting violations of plaintiffs' First Amendment rights and Fourteenth Amendment due process rights. The plaintiffs–represented by the Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice, and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee–included seven student employees and one full-time employee of the University who participated in a sit-in at the President's office building in November 2023, and a protest outside the University's art museum in May 2024. The University subsequently terminated their employment and permanently barred them from future employment, citing violations of the University's violence policy despite alleged video evidence showing no violent conduct by the plaintiffs. The complaint argued that this action against the plaintiffs departed significantly from the university's historical practice of declining to discipline students for similar protest activities on other issues.

The complaint named the Regents of the University of Michigan and four university officials as defendants. The University's President, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Associate Vice President for Human Resources, and an Associate Director of Human Resources were sued in both their individual and official capacities. The plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief, along with compensatory and punitive damages. Judge Stephen J. Murphy III was assigned to the case.

Three months after the original lawsuit, plaintiffs amended their complaint to add three defendants: the University's Vice President for Student Life, Director of the Office of Student Conflict Resolution, and a program manager in the Office of Student Conflict Resolution, all of whom were sued in both their individual and official capacities. The amended complaint alleged that these new defendants initiated retaliatory disciplinary proceedings and additional adverse employment actions after the original federal lawsuit was filed. This retaliation formed the basis for two entirely new causes of action under federal civil rights statutes 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and 42 U.S.C. § 1985, retaliation for filing the federal lawsuit and conspiracy to intimidate plaintiffs.

The amended complaint also sought additional injunctive relief to halt ongoing disciplinary proceedings and to restore plaintiffs' ability to engage in volunteer work with the University, while expanding damage claims to include the newly added defendants.

On August 29, 2025, defendants moved to dismiss the case. There was a hearing on the motion in December and, as of March 2026, the motion is pending before the court.

This case is ongoing.

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Summary Authors

Josie Clerfond (2/20/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70030105/parties/hakim-v-regents-of-the-university-of-michigan/

Judge(s)

Murphy, Stephen J. (Michigan)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Godshall-Bennett, Christopher (Michigan)

Jacob, Liz (Michigan)

Attorney for Defendant

Bierlein, Kyle (Michigan)

Giroux, Erika L. (Michigan)

Judge(s)

Murphy, Stephen J. (Michigan)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Godshall-Bennett, Christopher (Michigan)

Jacob, Liz (Michigan)

Paris, Anthony D. (Michigan)

Philo, John C. (Michigan)

Ritchin, Ezra (Michigan)

Sanders, Herbert A. (Michigan)

Attorney for Defendant

Bierlein, Kyle (Michigan)

Giroux, Erika L. (Michigan)

Schwartz, Brian M. (Michigan)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 2:25-cv-11265	Complaint & Jury Demand	May 1, 2025	May 1, 2025 Complaint
23 2:25-cv-11265	First Amended Complaint & Jury Demand Hakim v. Regents of University of Michigan	Aug. 1, 2025	Aug. 1, 2025 Complaint

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70030105/hakim-v-regents-of-the-university-of-michigan/

Last updated July 28, 2026, 5:22 p.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT filed by All Plaintiffs against All Defendants with Jury Demand. Plaintiff requests summons issued. Receipt No: CMIEDC-10220613 - Fee: $ 405. County of 1st Plaintiff: Washtenaw - County Where Action Arose: Washtenaw - County of 1st Defendant: Washtenaw. [Previously dismissed case: No] [Possible companion case(s): US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, 2:24-cv-13425-LJM-EAS, Judge Laurie J. Michelson] (Philo, John) (Entered: 05/01/2025)	May 1, 2025	May 1, 2025 Clearinghouse
2	SUMMONS Issued for Regents of the University of Michigan (JBro) (Entered: 05/01/2025)	May 1, 2025	May 1, 2025
3	SUMMONS Issued for Santa Ono (JBro) (Entered: 05/01/2025)	May 1, 2025	May 1, 2025
4	SUMMONS Issued for Geoffrey Chatas (JBro) (Entered: 05/01/2025)	May 1, 2025	May 1, 2025
5	SUMMONS Issued for AMY GRIER (JBro) (Entered: 05/01/2025)	May 1, 2025	May 1, 2025
6	SUMMONS Issued for Richard S Holcomb, Jr (JBro) (Entered: 05/01/2025)	May 1, 2025	May 1, 2025
7	NOTICE of Appearance by Christopher Godshall-Bennett on behalf of All Plaintiffs. (Godshall-Bennett, Christopher) (Entered: 05/05/2025)	May 5, 2025	May 5, 2025
8	NOTICE of Appearance by John C. Philo on behalf of All Plaintiffs. (Philo, John) (Entered: 05/06/2025)	May 6, 2025	May 6, 2025
9	NOTICE of Appearance by Anthony D. Paris on behalf of All Plaintiffs. (Paris, Anthony) (Entered: 05/20/2025)	May 20, 2025	May 20, 2025
10	NOTICE of Appearance by Liz Jacob on behalf of All Plaintiffs. (Jacob, Liz) (Entered: 05/28/2025)	May 28, 2025	May 28, 2025
11	WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed. AMY GRIER waiver sent on 5/12/2025, answer due 7/11/2025. (Philo, John) (Entered: 06/02/2025)	June 2, 2025	June 2, 2025
12	WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed. Geoffrey Chatas waiver sent on 5/12/2025, answer due 7/11/2025. (Philo, John) (Entered: 06/02/2025)	June 2, 2025	June 2, 2025
13	WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed. Regents of the University of Michigan waiver sent on 5/12/2025, answer due 7/11/2025. (Philo, John) (Entered: 06/02/2025)	June 2, 2025	June 2, 2025
14	WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed. Richard S Holcomb, Jr waiver sent on 5/12/2025, answer due 7/11/2025. (Philo, John) (Entered: 06/02/2025)	June 2, 2025	June 2, 2025
15	WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed. Santa Ono waiver sent on 5/12/2025, answer due 7/11/2025. (Philo, John) (Entered: 06/02/2025)	June 2, 2025	June 2, 2025
16	NOTICE of Appearance by Herbert A. Sanders on behalf of All Plaintiffs. (Sanders, Herbert) (Entered: 06/10/2025)	June 10, 2025	June 10, 2025
17	NOTICE of Appearance by Brian M. Schwartz on behalf of All Defendants. (Schwartz, Brian) (Entered: 07/10/2025)	July 10, 2025	July 10, 2025
18	NOTICE of Appearance by Erika L. Giroux on behalf of All Defendants. (Giroux, Erika) (Entered: 07/10/2025)	July 10, 2025	July 10, 2025
19	NOTICE of Appearance by Kyle Bierlein on behalf of All Defendants. (Bierlein, Kyle) (Entered: 07/10/2025)	July 10, 2025	July 10, 2025
20	Joint MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages to Exceed Page Limits in LR 7.1(d)(3) for Motion to Dismiss Briefing by Geoffrey Chatas, AMY GRIER, Richard S Holcomb, Jr, Santa Ono, Regents of the University of Michigan. (Schwartz, Brian) (Entered: 07/11/2025)	July 11, 2025	July 11, 2025
21	MOTION to Dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint with Prejudice by All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Index of Exhibits, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit, # 4 Exhibit, # 5 Exhibit, # 6 Exhibit, # 7 Exhibit, # 8 Exhibit, # 9 Exhibit, # 10 Exhibit, # 11 Exhibit, # 12 Exhibit, # 13 Exhibit, # 14 Exhibit, # 15 Exhibit, # 16 Exhibit, # 17 Exhibit, # 18 Exhibit, # 19 Exhibit, # 20 Exhibit, # 21 Exhibit, # 22 Exhibit, # 23 Exhibit, # 24 Exhibit, # 25 Exhibit, # 26 Exhibit, # 27 Exhibit, # 28 Exhibit, # 29 Exhibit, # 30 Exhibit) (Schwartz, Brian) (Entered: 07/11/2025)	July 11, 2025	July 11, 2025
22	NOTICE of Appearance by Ezra Ritchin on behalf of All Plaintiffs. (Ritchin, Ezra) (Entered: 07/15/2025)	July 15, 2025	July 15, 2025
23	AMENDED COMPLAINT with Jury Demand filed by All Plaintiffs against All Defendants. NEW PARTIES ADDED. (Philo, John) (Entered: 08/01/2025)	Aug. 1, 2025	Aug. 1, 2025 Clearinghouse
	REQUEST for SUMMONS for Donovan Golich, Martino Harmon, Erik Wessel. (Philo, John)	Aug. 1, 2025	Aug. 1, 2025
24	SUMMONS Issued for Donovan Golich, Martino Harmon, Erik Wessel (SSch) (Entered: 08/04/2025)	Aug. 4, 2025	Aug. 4, 2025
25	ORDER Denying as Moot 21 Motion to Dismiss and 20 Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages. Signed by District Judge Stephen J. Murphy, III. (RLou) (Entered: 08/05/2025)	Aug. 5, 2025	Aug. 5, 2025 RECAP
26	STIPULATED ORDER Extending Deadline to File Motion to Dismiss 23 First Amended Complaint. (Responsive Pleading due by 8/29/2025). Signed by District Judge Stephen J. Murphy, III. (RLou) (Entered: 08/12/2025)	Aug. 12, 2025	Aug. 12, 2025
27	WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed. Donovan Golich waiver sent on 8/11/2025, answer due 10/10/2025. (Philo, John) (Entered: 08/12/2025)	Aug. 12, 2025	Aug. 12, 2025
28	WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed. Erik Wessel waiver sent on 8/11/2025, answer due 10/10/2025. (Philo, John) (Entered: 08/12/2025)	Aug. 12, 2025	Aug. 12, 2025
29	WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed. Martino Harmon waiver sent on 8/11/2025, answer due 10/10/2025. (Philo, John) (Entered: 08/12/2025)	Aug. 12, 2025	Aug. 12, 2025
30	Joint MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages in Local Rule 7.1(d)(3) For Motion to Dismiss Briefing by All Defendants. (Schwartz, Brian) (Entered: 08/29/2025)	Aug. 29, 2025	Aug. 29, 2025
31	MOTION to Dismiss Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint with Prejudice by All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Index of Exhibits, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit, # 4 Exhibit, # 5 Exhibit, # 6 Exhibit, # 7 Exhibit, # 8 Exhibit, # 9 Exhibit, # 10 Exhibit, # 11 Exhibit, # 12 Exhibit, # 13 Exhibit, # 14 Exhibit, # 15 Exhibit, # 16 Exhibit, # 17 Exhibit, # 18 Exhibit, # 19 Exhibit, # 20 Exhibit, # 21 Exhibit, # 22 Exhibit, # 23 Exhibit, # 24 Exhibit, # 25 Exhibit, # 26 Exhibit, # 27 Exhibit, # 28 Exhibit, # 29 Exhibit, # 30 Exhibit, # 31 Exhibit, # 32 Exhibit, # 33 Exhibit, # 34 Exhibit, # 35 Exhibit, # 36 Exhibit, # 37 Exhibit) (Schwartz, Brian) (Entered: 08/29/2025) 1 Index of Exhibits View on PACER 2 Exhibit View on PACER 3 Exhibit View on PACER 4 Exhibit View on PACER 5 Exhibit View on PACER 6 Exhibit View on PACER 7 Exhibit View on PACER 8 Exhibit View on PACER 9 Exhibit View on PACER 10 Exhibit View on PACER 11 Exhibit View on PACER 12 Exhibit View on PACER 13 Exhibit View on PACER 14 Exhibit View on PACER 15 Exhibit View on PACER 16 Exhibit View on PACER 17 Exhibit View on PACER 18 Exhibit View on PACER 19 Exhibit View on PACER 20 Exhibit View on PACER 21 Exhibit View on PACER 22 Exhibit View on PACER 23 Exhibit View on PACER 24 Exhibit View on PACER 25 Exhibit View on PACER 26 Exhibit View on PACER 27 Exhibit View on PACER 28 Exhibit View on PACER 29 Exhibit View on PACER 30 Exhibit View on PACER 31 Exhibit View on PACER 32 Exhibit View on PACER 33 Exhibit View on PACER 34 Exhibit View on PACER 35 Exhibit View on PACER 36 Exhibit View on PACER 37 Exhibit View on PACER	Aug. 29, 2025	Aug. 29, 2025
32	ORDER Granting 30 Joint Motion for Leave to Exceed Page Limits. Signed by District Judge Stephen J. Murphy, III. (RLou) (Entered: 09/02/2025)	Sept. 2, 2025	Sept. 2, 2025
33	RESPONSE to 31 MOTION to Dismiss Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint with Prejudice & Brief in Support filed by All Plaintiffs. (Philo, John) (Entered: 09/19/2025)	Sept. 19, 2025	Sept. 19, 2025
34	REPLY to 33 Response to Motion by All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Index of Exhibits, # 2 Exhibit) (Schwartz, Brian) (Entered: 10/03/2025)	Oct. 3, 2025	Oct. 3, 2025
35	NOTICE OF IN PERSON HEARING on 31 Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint with Prejudice. Motion Hearing set for 12/17/2025 at 1:00 PM before District Judge Stephen J. Murphy III. (RLou) (Entered: 11/12/2025)	Nov. 12, 2025	Nov. 12, 2025
	Reset Hearing *TIME CHANGE ONLY* as to 31 Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint with Prejudice. Motion Hearing set for 12/17/2025 at 11:30 AM before District Judge Stephen J. Murphy III (RLou)	Nov. 13, 2025	Nov. 13, 2025
	Minute Entry for in-person proceedings before District Judge Stephen J. Murphy, III: Motion Hearing held on 12/17/2025 re 31 Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint with Prejudice. Disposition: Motion Taken Under Advisement. (Court Reporter: Linda Cavanagh) (RLou)	Dec. 17, 2025	Dec. 17, 2025
36	TRANSCRIPT of Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint held on 12/17/2025. (Court Reporter/Transcriber: Linda M. Cavanagh) (Number of Pages: 48) The parties have 21 days to file with the court and Court Reporter/Transcriber a Redaction Request of this transcript. If no request is filed, the transcript may be made remotely electronically available to the public without redaction after 90 days. Redaction Request due 2/17/2026. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 2/26/2026. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 4/27/2026. Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter/Transcriber before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date, the transcript is publicly available. (Cavanagh, Linda) (Entered: 01/26/2026)	Jan. 26, 2026	Jan. 26, 2026
37	ORDER Granting In Part and Denying in Part Defendants' 31 Motion to Dismiss. Signed by District Judge Stephen J. Murphy, III. (RLou) (Entered: 03/31/2026)	March 31, 2026	March 31, 2026 RECAP
38	STIPULATED ORDER Extending Deadline. Responsive Pleading due by 4/28/2026. Signed by District Judge Stephen J. Murphy, III. (RLou) (Entered: 04/03/2026)	April 3, 2026	April 3, 2026 RECAP
39	ANSWER to Amended Complaint with Affirmative Defenses by All Defendants. (Schwartz, Brian) (Entered: 04/28/2026)	April 28, 2026	April 28, 2026
40	ORDER Requiring Joint Discovery Plan and Setting Rule 16 Scheduling Conference. (Scheduling Conference set for 5/27/2026 at 11:15 AM before District Judge Stephen J. Murphy III). Signed by District Judge Stephen J. Murphy, III. (RLou) (Entered: 05/01/2026)	May 1, 2026	May 1, 2026
41	NOTICE of Withdrawal of Attorney Erika L. Giroux for on behalf of All Defendants. (Giroux, Erika) (Entered: 05/08/2026)	May 8, 2026	May 8, 2026
42	ORDER Withdrawing Attorney. Signed by District Judge Stephen J. Murphy, III. (RLou) (Entered: 05/12/2026)	May 12, 2026	May 12, 2026
43	DISCOVERY plan jointly filed pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 26(f) (Jacob, Liz) (Entered: 05/21/2026)	May 21, 2026	May 21, 2026
	Minute Entry for remote proceedings before District Judge Stephen J. Murphy, III: Scheduling Conference held on 5/27/2026. (Court Reporter: None Present, Not on the Record) (RLou)	May 27, 2026	May 27, 2026
44	SCHEDULING ORDER: Fact Discovery due by 5/3/2027, Dispositive Motion Cut-off set for 9/30/2027, Final Pretrial Hearing set for 2/23/2028 at 2:00 PM before District Judge Stephen J. Murphy III, Jury Trial set for 3/7/2028 at 9:00 AM before District Judge Stephen J. Murphy III. Signed by District Judge Stephen J. Murphy, III. (Refer to image for additional dates) (RLou) (Entered: 06/03/2026)	June 3, 2026	June 3, 2026 RECAP
45	Strike	July 23, 2026	July 23, 2026
46	Stipulation and Order	July 27, 2026	July 27, 2026

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Michigan

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Education

Special Collection(s):

Title VI Anti-Palestinian/Antisemitism cases

Key Dates

Filing Date: May 1, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Seven student employees and one full-time employee of the University of Michigan who were fired after participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Private Entity/Person

Associate Director of Human Resources at the University of Michigan

Associate Vice President for Human Resources at the University of Michigan

Director of the Office of Student Conflict Resolution at the University of Michigan

Executive Vice President of the University of Michigan

President of the University of Michigan

Vice President for Student Life at the University of Michigan

State

The University of Michigan

Defendant Type(s):

College/University

Facility Type(s):

Non-government non-profit

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

42 U.S.C. § 1985

Ex parte Young (federal or state officials)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process: Procedural Due Process

Freedom of speech/association

Other Dockets:

Eastern District of Michigan 2:25-cv-11265

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Relief Granted:

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Disciplinary procedures

Education

Government services

Public benefits (includes, e.g., in-state tuition, govt. jobs)

Retaliation

School/University policies

Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)

Discrimination Area:

Content/viewpoint discrimination

Discharge / Constructive Discharge / Layoff

Discipline

Disparate Treatment

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Hakim v. Regents of the University of Michigan, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/46973/ (last updated 2/20/2026).