Filed Date: Aug. 19, 2025
Case Ongoing
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This case is about anti-Israeli discrimination in employment.
On August 19, 2025, an Israeli professor filed a lawsuit against the Regents of the University of California and ten anonymous individuals (collectively, "Berkeley") in California state trial court. The plaintiff alleged that Berkeley unlawfully discriminated against her by rescinding an offer for her to serve as a visiting professor because she is Israeli. Plaintiff alleged that the decision was related to divisions over Israeli and Palestine in the relevant department at Berkeley after the October 7th attacks.
Plaintiff further alleged that, after her offer was rescinded, Berkeley conducted a seven-month-long investigation and found she was a victim of national origin discrimination. Nonetheless, Berkeley failed to take any action to remedy the violation.
Represented by the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights under Law and private counsel, the plaintiff alleged that Berkeley's actions violated state law. She sought declaratory and injunctive relief, as well as damages.
The case was assigned to Judge Victoria Kaloakowski initially, but reassigned to Judge Jamilah Jefferson in mid-September.
On October 29, the parties filed a joint notice of settlement and stipulation to stay. The court granted the stipulation to stay on November 7th.
On December 10, the parties announced a settlement. Under the terms of the agreement, Berkeley paid the plaintiff $60,000, as well as $56,000 in legal fees, promised to give the plaintiff a teaching position in the future, and the Berkeley Chancellor apologized to the plaintiff. The Regents denied liability but conceded that an employee had violated the school's anti-discrimination policy with respect to the plaintiff. In return, the plaintiff released all claims against Berkeley.
On December 18, the parties requested dismissal. As of December 28, the request is pending before the court.
Summary Authors
Avery Coombe (12/29/2025)
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Title VI Anti-Palestinian/Antisemitism cases
Key Dates
Filing Date: Aug. 19, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
An Israeli professor.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
University of California, State
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Other Dockets:
California state trial court 25cv137941
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Amount Defendant Pays: $116,000
Issues
Discrimination Area:
Discrimination Basis:
National origin discrimination
Affected National Origin/Ethnicity(s):