Case: Lederer v. The Trustees of Columbia University In The City of New York

1:25-cv-08703 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Filed Date: Oct. 21, 2025

Closed Date: Dec. 22, 2025

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

[This summary is temporary while we research the case]. On October 21, 2025, two Jewish students at Columbia University filed this lawsuit against their school, alleging that the University was responsible for "engaging in, condoning, and permitting severe and pervasive assault, harassment, and intimidation against the [plaintiffs] based on their Jewish identity" in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, New York City Administrative Code § 8-107, and its contractual obligations.

Summary Authors

Madilynn O'Hara (1/7/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71712297/parties/lederer-v-the-trustees-of-columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york/


Judge(s)

Engelmayer, Paul Adam (New York)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bruce, Daniel (New York)

Greene, Susan Lee (New York)

Lienhard, Jonathan (New York)

Attorney for Defendant

Tenzer, Gabrielle (New York)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:25-cv-08703

Complaint

Lederer v. The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York

Oct. 21, 2025

Oct. 21, 2025

Complaint
15

1:25-cv-08703

Notice of Voluntary Dismissal with Prejudice

Lederer v. The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York

Dec. 22, 2025

Dec. 22, 2025

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71712297/lederer-v-the-trustees-of-columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york/

Last updated Feb. 25, 2026, 10:25 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against The Trustees of Columbia University In The City of New York. (Filing Fee $ 405.00, Receipt Number ANYSDC-31879479)Document filed by Jonathan Lederer, David Lederer. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit Exhibit G, # 8 Exhibit Exhibit H, # 9 Exhibit Exhibit I).(Greene, Susan) (Entered: 10/21/2025)

1 Exhibit Exhibit A

View on PACER

2 Exhibit Exhibit B

View on PACER

3 Exhibit Exhibit C

View on PACER

4 Exhibit Exhibit D

View on PACER

5 Exhibit Exhibit E

View on PACER

6 Exhibit Exhibit F

View on PACER

7 Exhibit Exhibit G

View on PACER

8 Exhibit Exhibit H

View on PACER

9 Exhibit Exhibit I

View on PACER

Oct. 21, 2025

Oct. 21, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

CIVIL COVER SHEET filed..(Greene, Susan) (Entered: 10/21/2025)

Oct. 21, 2025

Oct. 21, 2025

3

REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF SUMMONS as to The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, re: 1 Complaint,. Document filed by David Lederer, Jonathan Lederer..(Greene, Susan) (Entered: 10/21/2025)

Oct. 21, 2025

Oct. 21, 2025

4

ELECTRONIC SUMMONS ISSUED as to The Trustees of Columbia University In The City of New York..(jgo) (Entered: 10/22/2025)

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

Case Opening Initial Assignment Notice

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

CASE OPENING INITIAL ASSIGNMENT NOTICE: The above-entitled action is assigned to Judge Paul A. Engelmayer. Please download and review the Individual Practices of the assigned District Judge, located at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/judges/district-judges. Attorneys are responsible for providing courtesy copies to judges where their Individual Practices require such. Please download and review the ECF Rules and Instructions, located at https://nysd.uscourts.gov/rules/ecf-related-instructions..(jgo)

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

Magistrate Judge Valerie Figueredo is designated to handle matters that may be referred in this case. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Section 636(c) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 73(b)(1) parties are notified that they may consent to proceed before a United States Magistrate Judge. Parties who wish to consent may access the necessary form at the following link: https://nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/2018-06/AO-3.pdf. (jgo)

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

Case Designated ECF. (jgo)

Oct. 22, 2025

Oct. 22, 2025

5

NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Gabrielle Tenzer on behalf of The Trustees of Columbia University In The City of New York..(Tenzer, Gabrielle) (Entered: 10/29/2025)

Oct. 29, 2025

Oct. 29, 2025

6

RULE 7.1 CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. No Corporate Parent. Document filed by The Trustees of Columbia University In The City of New York..(Tenzer, Gabrielle) (Entered: 10/29/2025)

Oct. 29, 2025

Oct. 29, 2025

7

LETTER MOTION for Extension of Time for Defendant to respond to Complaint and for entry of a briefing schedule for any motion to dismiss addressed to Judge Paul A. Engelmayer from Gabrielle E. Tenzer dated October 29, 2025. Document filed by The Trustees of Columbia University In The City of New York..(Tenzer, Gabrielle) (Entered: 10/29/2025)

Oct. 29, 2025

Oct. 29, 2025

8

MOTION for Jonathan P. Lienhard to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-31922724. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff. Document filed by David Lederer, Jonathan Lederer. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Affidavit, # 2 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing VA, # 4 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing, # 5 Proposed Order Proposed Order).(Lienhard, Jonathan) (Entered: 10/30/2025)

Oct. 30, 2025

Oct. 30, 2025

9

MOTION for Daniel A. Bruce to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-31922815. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff. Document filed by David Lederer, Jonathan Lederer. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Affidavit, # 2 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Proposed Order Proposed Order).(Bruce, Daniel) (Entered: 10/30/2025)

Oct. 30, 2025

Oct. 30, 2025

10

MOTION for Jason B. Torchinsky to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-31923570. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff. Document filed by David Lederer, Jonathan Lederer. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Affidavit, # 2 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing VA, # 4 Proposed Order Proposed Order).(Torchinsky, Jason) (Entered: 10/30/2025)

Oct. 30, 2025

Oct. 30, 2025

11

ORDER granting in part and denying in part 7 Letter Motion for Extension of Time. GRANTED IN PART. Defendant's deadline to answer or otherwise respond to the complaint, including by filing any motion to dismiss, is extended to December 22, 2025. If defendant moves to dismiss, the Court expects to issue, consistent with its ordinary practice, an amend-or-oppose order that allows plaintiffs, within 21 days of that motion, to amend their complaint or, alternatively, to oppose the motion. No further opportunities to amend will ordinarily be granted. If plaintiffs choose to amend, defendant will, within 21 days of the filing of the amendedcomplaint: (1) answer; (2) file a new motion to dismiss; or (3) file a letter stating that it relies on the previously filed motion to dismiss. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Paul A. Engelmayer on 10/30/2025) (tg) (Entered: 10/30/2025)

Oct. 30, 2025

Oct. 30, 2025

Notice Regarding Pro Hac Vice Motion

Oct. 30, 2025

Oct. 30, 2025

>>>NOTICE REGARDING PRO HAC VICE MOTION. Regarding Document No. 8 MOTION for Jonathan P. Lienhard to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-31922724. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff.. The document has been reviewed and there are no deficiencies. (rju)

Oct. 30, 2025

Oct. 30, 2025

>>>NOTICE REGARDING PRO HAC VICE MOTION. Regarding Document No. 9 MOTION for Daniel A. Bruce to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-31922815. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff.. The document has been reviewed and there are no deficiencies. (rju)

Oct. 30, 2025

Oct. 30, 2025

Set/Reset Deadlines: The Trustees of Columbia University In The City of New York answer due 12/22/2025. (tg)

Oct. 30, 2025

Oct. 30, 2025

>>>NOTICE REGARDING PRO HAC VICE MOTION. Regarding Document No. 10 MOTION for Jason B. Torchinsky to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-31923570. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff.. The document has been reviewed and there are no deficiencies. (rju)

Oct. 30, 2025

Oct. 30, 2025

12

ORDER FOR ADMISSION PRO HAC VICE granting 8 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The motion of Jonathan P. Lienhard, for admission to practice Pro Hac Vice in the above captioned action is granted. As further set forth by this Order. (Signed by Judge Paul A. Engelmayer on 10/31/2025) (tg) (Entered: 10/31/2025)

Oct. 31, 2025

Oct. 31, 2025

13

ORDER FOR ADMISSION PRO HAC VICE granting 9 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The motion of Daniel A. Bruce, for admission to practice Pro Hac Vice in the above captioned action is granted. As further set forth by this Order. (Signed by Judge Paul A. Engelmayer on 10/31/2025) (tg) (Entered: 10/31/2025)

Oct. 31, 2025

Oct. 31, 2025

14

ORDER FOR ADMISSION PRO HAC VICE granting 10 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice. The motion of Jason B. Torchinsky, for admission to practice Pro Hac Vice in the above captioned action is granted. As further set forth by this Order. (Signed by Judge Paul A. Engelmayer on 10/31/2025) (tg) (Entered: 10/31/2025)

Oct. 31, 2025

Oct. 31, 2025

15

NOTICE OF VOLUNTARY DISMISSAL pursuant to Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(i) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the plaintiff(s) and or their counsel(s), hereby give notice that the above-captioned action is voluntarily dismissed, with prejudice against the defendant(s) The Trustees of Columbia University In The City of New York. Document filed by Jonathan Lederer, David Lederer. Proposed document to be reviewed and processed by Clerk's Office staff (No action required by chambers)...(Greene, Susan) (Entered: 12/22/2025)

Dec. 22, 2025

Dec. 22, 2025

Clearinghouse

Case Details

State / Territory:

New York

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Education

Key Dates

Filing Date: Oct. 21, 2025

Closing Date: Dec. 22, 2025

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Private Entity/Person

Columbia University in the City of New York

Case Details

Other Dockets:

Southern District of New York 1:25-cv-08703

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Non-settlement Outcome

Trial Court Docket