Filed Date: July 14, 2025
Case Ongoing
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This case challenged the University of Michigan for its alleged retaliatory and discriminatory termination of an employee following an investigation into purported antisemitic speech. Other cases involving universities’ responses to speech and activity concerning Israel and Palestine, including matters involving antisemitism and/or anti-Palestinian expression, can be found here.
On July 14, 2025, a former Director of the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives at the University of Michigan filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan against the Regents of the University of Michigan (the University). The plaintiff brought claims under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, including discrimination and retaliation. The plaintiff sought damages and attorneys’ fees. This case was assigned to Judge Shalina D. Kumar.
In the complaint, the plaintiff alleged that the University violated Title VI by subjecting her to intentional race-based discrimination, excluding her from participation in, and denying her the benefits of University programs and activities. The complaint further asserted that, following an investigation into her private speech at a conference concerning antisemitism and campus climate, the University deviated from its usual disciplinary protocols and terminated her employment. The plaintiff alleged that this termination constituted unlawful discrimination in violation of Title VII, treating her less favorably than similarly situated non-Black and/or male employees. She additionally alleged that the University retaliated against her for opposing discriminatory practices and engaging in protected activity, in violation of Title VII’s prohibition against retaliation.
On October 14, 2025, the University filed a motion to dismiss. Ten days later, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint, which expanded the factual allegations, included detailed information about the comparative treatment of other non-Black employees, added to the Title VI claim by alleging exclusion from federally funded benefits, and supplemented the discrimination and retaliation claims.
The University filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint on November 18, 2025. The University argued that the Title VI claim failed because the plaintiff did not plausibly allege that the University's federal funding was primarily intended to provide employment or that the intended beneficiaries were discriminated against. The University also argued that the Title VII discrimination claim failed because the plaintiff did not plausibly allege discriminatory intent or that similarly situated employees were treated more favorably. Finally, the University contended that the Title VII retaliation claim failed because the plaintiff did not allege protected activity or a causal link to her termination, especially given that the disciplinary process was already underway.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Dahlia Gottlieb (3/16/2026)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70792790/parties/dawson-v-board-of-regents-of-university-of-michigan/
Ghannam, Amanda M. (Michigan)
Barrington, Luna Ngan (Michigan)
Cowen, David Patrick (Michigan)
Fiebig, Chantale (Michigan)
Huget, J. Michael (Michigan)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70792790/dawson-v-board-of-regents-of-university-of-michigan/
Last updated March 25, 2026, 12:11 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Title VI Anti-Palestinian/Antisemitism cases
Key Dates
Filing Date: July 14, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
A former Director of the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives at the University of Michigan.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
State
The University of Michigan
Defendant Type(s):
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq.
Title VII (including PDA), 42 U.S.C. § 2000e
Other Dockets:
Eastern District of Michigan 4:25-cv-12123
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Discrimination Area:
Discrimination Basis:
Affected Race(s):
Affected Sex/Gender(s):
Case Summary of Dawson v. Board of Regents of University of Michigan, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47447/ (last updated 3/16/2026).