Case: Elagha v. Northwestern University

1:24-cv-12066 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Filed Date: Nov. 22, 2024

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

(This summary is temporary while we research the case further). In 2024, a graduate student filed a lawsuit against Northwestern University, alleging that she had been harassed at pro-Palestinian protests in 2023 and that the University had treated her complaints differently because of her racial and ethnic background. Her lawsuit was dismissed on November 3, 2025. 

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69407922/parties/elagha-v-northwestern-university/


Judge(s)

Kocoras, Charles Petros (Illinois)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Chalisa, Farah (Illinois)

Khan, Shiraz K (Illinois)

Attorney for Defendant

Govani, Shivani (Illinois)

Grabenstein, Casey T. (Illinois)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:24-cv-12066

Notice of Removal

Elagha v. Northwestern University et al.

Nov. 22, 2024

Nov. 22, 2024

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69407922/elagha-v-northwestern-university/

Last updated Nov. 17, 2025, 9:07 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

NOTICE of Removal from Circuit Court of Cook County, case number (2024L012887) filed by Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Northwestern University Police Department Filing fee $ 405, receipt number AILNDC-22762891. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Complaint)(Grabenstein, Casey) (Entered: 11/22/2024)

1 Exhibit A - Complaint

View on PACER

Nov. 22, 2024

Nov. 22, 2024

Clearinghouse
2

ORDER: Local Rule 3.1 requires at the time of filing a case, plaintiff's counsel, or if the case is filed pro se, the plaintiff shall file with the original papers a completed designation sheet (civil cover sheet). No civil cover sheet was submitted at the time of filing this matter. is directed to file the Civil Cover Sheet within 14 days of this notification. Signed by the Executive Committee. (dec, ) (Entered: 11/22/2024)

Nov. 22, 2024

Nov. 22, 2024

CASE ASSIGNED to the Honorable Charles P. Kocoras. Designated as Magistrate Judge the Honorable Jeffrey T. Gilbert. Case assignment: Random assignment. (Civil Category 2). (dec, )

Nov. 22, 2024

Nov. 22, 2024

3

MAILED Notice of Removal letter to counsel of record. (daj, ) (Entered: 11/25/2024)

Nov. 25, 2024

Nov. 25, 2024

4

ATTORNEY Appearance for Defendants Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Northwestern University Police Department by Casey T. Grabenstein (Grabenstein, Casey) (Entered: 11/25/2024)

Nov. 25, 2024

Nov. 25, 2024

5

ATTORNEY Appearance for Defendants Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Northwestern University Police Department by Shivani Govani (Govani, Shivani) (Entered: 11/25/2024)

Nov. 25, 2024

Nov. 25, 2024

6

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Filing fee $ 150, receipt number AILNDC-22771639. (Richards, Joshua) (Entered: 11/25/2024)

Nov. 25, 2024

Nov. 25, 2024

CLERK'S NOTICE: Pursuant to Local Rule 73.1(b), a United States Magistrate Judge of this court is available to conduct all proceedings in this civil action. If all parties consent to have the currently assigned United States Magistrate Judge conduct all proceedings in this case, including trial, the entry of final judgment, and all post-trial proceedings, all parties must sign their names on the attached Consent To form. This consent form is eligible for filing only if executed by all parties. The parties can also express their consent to jurisdiction by a magistrate judge in any joint filing, including the Joint Initial Status Report or proposed Case Management Order. (daj, )

Nov. 25, 2024

Nov. 25, 2024

7

ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiff Yasmeen Elagha by Waleed Naser (Naser, Waleed) (Entered: 11/26/2024)

Nov. 26, 2024

Nov. 26, 2024

8

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Charles P. Kocoras: Motion to appear pro hac vice 6 is granted; Attorney Joshua W. B. Richards is added as counsel for Northwestern University Police Department and Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law added. Mailed notice. (sxh, ) (Entered: 11/27/2024)

Nov. 27, 2024

Nov. 27, 2024

10

CIVIL Cover Sheet (Grabenstein, Casey) (Entered: 12/03/2024)

Dec. 3, 2024

Dec. 3, 2024

9

STIPULATION for Extension of Time (Richards, Joshua) (Entered: 12/03/2024)

Dec. 3, 2024

Dec. 3, 2024

11

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Charles P. Kocoras: Plaintiff and certain defendants have filed a joint stipulation for extension of time 9, which the Court construes as a motion for extension of time. The motion is granted: Defendants Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Northwestern University Police Department, Hari Osofsky, Susan Michelle Spies Roth, and George Langford must answer the complaint or otherwise plead by 1/10/2025. The parties are advised that requests to extend deadlines must be made by way of motion, not a stipulation. The parties should indicate in the title and body of such a motion whether the requested extension is agreed upon by all parties. Mailed notice. (sxh, ) (Entered: 12/04/2024)

Dec. 4, 2024

Dec. 4, 2024

12

ANNUAL REMINDER: Pursuant to Local Rule 3.2 (Notification of Affiliates), any nongovernmental party, other than an individual or sole proprietorship, must file a statement identifying all its affiliates known to the party after diligent review or, if the party has identified no affiliates, then a statement reflecting that fact must be filed. An affiliate is defined as follows: any entity or individual owning, directly or indirectly (through ownership of one or more other entities), 5% or more of a party. The statement is to be electronically filed as a PDF in conjunction with entering the affiliates in CM/ECF as prompted. As a reminder to counsel, parties must supplement their statements of affiliates within thirty (30) days of any change in the information previously reported. This minute order is being issued to all counsel of record to remind counsel of their obligation to provide updated information as to additional affiliates if such updating is necessary. If counsel has any questions regarding this process, this LINK will provide additional information. Signed by the Honorable Virginia M. Kendall on 12/20/2024: Mailed notice. (tg, ) (Entered: 12/31/2024)

Dec. 20, 2024

Dec. 20, 2024

13

ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiff Yasmeen Elagha by Farah Chalisa (Chalisa, Farah) (Entered: 01/10/2025)

Jan. 10, 2025

Jan. 10, 2025

14

ATTORNEY Appearance for Defendants Susan Michelle Spies Roth, George Langford, Hari Osofsky by Shivani Govani (Govani, Shivani) (Entered: 01/10/2025)

Jan. 10, 2025

Jan. 10, 2025

15

ATTORNEY Appearance for Defendants Susan Michelle Spies Roth, George Langford, Hari Osofsky by Joshua W. B. Richards (Richards, Joshua) (Entered: 01/10/2025)

Jan. 10, 2025

Jan. 10, 2025

16

MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM by Defendants Susan Michelle Spies Roth, George Langford, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Northwestern University Police Department, Hari Osofsky (Richards, Joshua) (Entered: 01/10/2025)

Jan. 10, 2025

Jan. 10, 2025

RECAP
17

NOTICE of Motion by Joshua W. B. Richards for presentment of Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim 16 before Honorable Charles P. Kocoras on 1/21/2025 at 09:50 AM. (Richards, Joshua) (Entered: 01/10/2025)

Jan. 10, 2025

Jan. 10, 2025

18

ATTORNEY Appearance for Defendants Susan Michelle Spies Roth, George Langford, Hari Osofsky by Casey T. Grabenstein (Grabenstein, Casey) (Entered: 01/10/2025)

Jan. 10, 2025

Jan. 10, 2025

19

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Charles P. Kocoras: Motion to Dismiss by Defendants Susan Michelle Spies Roth, George Langford, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Northwestern University Police Department, and Hari Osofsky 16 is entered and briefed as follows: response is due by 2/4/2025; reply is due by 2/18/2025. Court will rule by mail. Motion hearing noticed for 1/21/2025 is stricken with no appearance necessary. Mailed notice (ags) (Entered: 01/13/2025)

Jan. 13, 2025

Jan. 13, 2025

20

MOTION by Plaintiff Yasmeen Elagha to sever AND REMAND STATE LAW CLAIMS, AND TO AMEND THE CASE CAPTION (AGREED) (Naser, Waleed) (Entered: 01/28/2025)

Jan. 28, 2025

Jan. 28, 2025

RECAP
21

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Charles P. Kocoras: Agreed Motion to Sever and Remand State Law Claims, and to Amend the Case Caption [20 ] is granted. An Amended Complaint is to be filed by 2/7/25 consistent with the severance and remand. Defendants' Motion to Dismiss 16 is denied as moot. A Joint Status Report is due 3/14/25.Counts III Defamation per se, IV Defamation, V False Light, VI Commercial Disparagement, and VII Negligence are severed and remanded to the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. The Clerk's Office is directed to remand these state law claims to the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, forthwith. The Clerk's Office is further directed to amend the case caption to include the correct entity for the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and Northwestern University Police Department to reflect Northwestern University. Mailed notice (ags) (Entered: 01/31/2025)

Jan. 31, 2025

Jan. 31, 2025

RECAP
22

REMAND with certified copy of order dated 01/31/2025 and letter to Circuit Court of Cook County via email. (daj, ) (Entered: 02/03/2025)

Feb. 3, 2025

Feb. 3, 2025

23

MOTION by Defendants Susan Michelle Spies Roth, George Langford, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Northwestern University Police Department, Northwestern University, Hari Osofsky to clarify Court's January 31, 2025 Order [Dkt No 21] (Richards, Joshua) (Entered: 02/03/2025)

Feb. 3, 2025

Feb. 3, 2025

RECAP
24

FIRST AMENDED complaint by Yasmeen Elagha against George Langford, Northwestern University, Hari Osofsky, Susan Michelle Spies Roth (Chalisa, Farah) (Entered: 02/07/2025)

Feb. 7, 2025

Feb. 7, 2025

RECAP
25

RESPONSE by Plaintiff Yasmeen Elagha to motion to clarify, 23 (Chalisa, Farah) (Entered: 02/07/2025)

Feb. 7, 2025

Feb. 7, 2025

26

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Charles P. Kocoras: In light of Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint 24, Defendants' motion for clarification 23 is denied as moot. A joint status report remains due on 3/14/2025. Mailed notice. (sxh, ) (Entered: 02/11/2025)

Feb. 11, 2025

Feb. 11, 2025

RECAP
27

MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM by Defendants George Langford, Northwestern University, Hari Osofsky, Susan Michelle Spies Roth Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(B)(6) (Grabenstein, Casey) (Entered: 02/28/2025)

Feb. 28, 2025

Feb. 28, 2025

RECAP
28

NOTICE of Motion by Casey T. Grabenstein for presentment of Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim, 27 before Honorable Charles P. Kocoras on 3/11/2025 at 09:50 AM. (Grabenstein, Casey) (Entered: 02/28/2025)

Feb. 28, 2025

Feb. 28, 2025

29

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Charles P. Kocoras: Defendants' Motion to Dismiss 27 is entered and briefed as follows: response is due by 3/24/2025; reply is due by 4/7/2025. Court will rule by mail. Presentment hearing noticed for 3/11/2025 is stricken with no appearance necessary. Mailed notice. (sxh, ) (Entered: 03/03/2025)

March 3, 2025

March 3, 2025

30

NOTICE of Voluntary Dismissal by Yasmeen Elagha WITHOUT PREJUDICE COUNTS III AND IV ONLY PURSUANT TO FED.R.CIV.P. 41(a)(1). (Naser, Waleed) (Entered: 03/24/2025)

March 24, 2025

March 24, 2025

31

RESPONSE by Yasmeen Elaghain Opposition to MOTION TO DISMISS FOR FAILURE TO STATE A CLAIM by Defendants George Langford, Northwestern University, Hari Osofsky, Susan Michelle Spies Roth Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(B)(6) 27 (Naser, Waleed) (Entered: 03/24/2025)

March 24, 2025

March 24, 2025

32

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Charles P. Kocoras: Plaintiff filed a notice of voluntary dismissal as to Counts III and IV of her First Amended Complaint 30 . Accordingly, Counts III and IV of Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint 24 are dismissed without prejudice. Mailed notice. (sxh, ) (Entered: 03/25/2025)

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

33

REPLY by Defendant Northwestern University to response in opposition to motion, 31 Defendants' Reply in Support of Their Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint (Govani, Shivani) (Entered: 04/07/2025)

April 7, 2025

April 7, 2025

34

ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiff Yasmeen Elagha by Ahmad Zaher (Zaher, Ahmad) (Entered: 04/09/2025)

April 9, 2025

April 9, 2025

35

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Charles P. Kocoras:For the reasons stated in the accompanying memorandum opinion, Defendants' Motion to Dismiss 27 is granted in part and denied in part. The motion is denied as to Count I and granted as to Count II. Elagha may file an amended complaint by 6/3/2025. A telephonic status hearing is set for 7/1/2025 at 9:50 a.m. For the telephonic status hearing, parties are to use the following call-in number: 1-650-479-3207, access code 2300 000 6287 or with the following link https://us-courts.webex.com/meet/Judge_Kocorasilnd.uscourts.gov. When using the link, Counsel must type in their name when joining the call. Throughout the call, each speaker will be expected to identify themselves for the record before speaking. Mailed notice. (sxh, ) (Entered: 05/13/2025)

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

36

MEMORANDUM Opinion Signed by the Honorable Charles P. Kocoras on 5/13/2025. Mailed notice. (sxh, ) (Entered: 05/13/2025)

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

RECAP
37

ATTORNEY Appearance for Plaintiff Yasmeen Elagha by Shiraz K Khan (Khan, Shiraz) (Entered: 05/22/2025)

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

38

Second AMENDED complaint by Yasmeen Elagha against All Defendants (Chalisa, Farah) (Entered: 06/03/2025)

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

39

STIPULATION regarding amended complaint 38 Joint Stipulation for Extension of Time (Govani, Shivani) (Entered: 06/10/2025)

June 10, 2025

June 10, 2025

40

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Charles P. Kocoras: The parties' joint stipulation for extension of time 39, which the Court construes as a motion, is granted. Defendants must answer Plaintiff's second amended complaint or otherwise plead by 7/15/2025. The telephonic status hearing set for 7/1/2025 is stricken and reset to 7/22/2025 at 10:15 a.m. For the telephonic status hearing, parties are to use the following call-in number: 1-650-479-3207, access code 2300 000 6287 or with the following link https://us-courts.webex.com/meet/Judge_Kocorasilnd.uscourts.gov. When using the link, Counsel must type in their name when joining the call. Throughout the call, each speaker will be expected to identify themselves for the record before speaking.Mailed notice. (sxh, ) (Entered: 06/10/2025)

June 10, 2025

June 10, 2025

41

MOTION by Defendant Northwestern University to dismiss Defendant's Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff's Second Amended Complaint Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(B)(6) (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit)(Govani, Shivani) (Entered: 07/15/2025)

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

42

Notice of Motion NOTICE of Motion by Shivani Govani for presentment of before Honorable Charles P. Kocoras on 7/22/2025 at 09:50 AM. (Govani, Shivani) (Entered: 07/15/2025)

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

43

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Charles P. Kocoras: Defendant's motion to dismiss Plaintiff's second amended complaint 41 is entered and briefed as follows: response is due by 8/6/2025; reply is due by 8/20/2025. The Court will rule by mail. The 7/22/2025 status and presentment hearings are stricken with no appearance necessary. Mailed notice. (sxh, ) (Entered: 07/16/2025)

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

44

STIPULATION Joint Stipulation for Extension of Time (Zaher, Ahmad) (Entered: 08/06/2025)

Aug. 6, 2025

Aug. 6, 2025

45

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Charles P. Kocoras: The parties' joint stipulation for extension of time 44, which the Court construes as a motion, is granted. Plaintiff's response to Defendant's motion to dismiss is due by 8/27/2025; the reply is due by 9/24/2025.Mailed notice. (sxh, ) (Entered: 08/06/2025)

Aug. 6, 2025

Aug. 6, 2025

46

RESPONSE by Yasmeen Elaghain Opposition to MOTION by Defendant Northwestern University to dismiss Defendant's Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff's Second Amended Complaint Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(B)(6) 41 (Zaher, Ahmad) (Entered: 08/27/2025)

Aug. 27, 2025

Aug. 27, 2025

47

REPLY by Defendant Northwestern University to motion to dismiss 41 Defendants' Reply in Support of Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff's Second Amended Complaint Pursuant to Fed.R.CIV.P.12(B)(6) (Govani, Shivani) (Entered: 09/24/2025)

Sept. 24, 2025

Sept. 24, 2025

48

MINUTE entry before the Honorable Charles P. Kocoras: For the reasons stated in the accompanying memorandum, Defendants' Motion to Dismiss 41 is granted. The claims against Defendants Osofsky, Spies Roth, and Langford are dismissed with prejudice, and the claims against Defendant Northwestern are dismissed without prejudice. If Elagha believes in good faith she can remedy the defects identified above, the Court will permit Elagha to file a third amended complaint by 11/17/2025. A telephonic status hearing is set for 12/2/2025 at 10:10 a.m.For the telephonic status hearing, parties are to use the following call-in number: 1-650-479-3207, access code 2300 000 6287 or with the following link https://us-courts.webex.com/meet/Judge_Kocorasilnd.uscourts.gov. When using the link, Counsel must type in their name when joining the call. Throughout the call, each speaker will be expected to identify themselves for the record before speaking. Mailed notice. (sxh, ) (Entered: 11/03/2025)

Nov. 3, 2025

Nov. 3, 2025

49

MEMORANDUM Opinion Signed by the Honorable Charles P. Kocoras on 11/3/2025. Mailed notice. (sxh, )

Nov. 3, 2025

Nov. 3, 2025

RECAP
50

Withdraw as Attorney

Nov. 13, 2025

Nov. 13, 2025

51

Extension of Time to Amend

Nov. 16, 2025

Nov. 16, 2025

52

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Amend

Nov. 17, 2025

Nov. 17, 2025

Case Details

State / Territory:

Illinois

Case Type(s):

Education

Speech and Religious Freedom

Special Collection(s):

Title VI Anti-Palestinian/Antisemitism cases

Key Dates

Filing Date: Nov. 22, 2024

Case Details

Other Dockets:

Northern District of Illinois 1:24-cv-12066