June 25, 2019
FaegreBD Partners with University of Minnesota in Winning Litigation Dismissal
Press Release
Faegre Baker Daniels (FaegreBD) and the University of Minnesota’s Office of the General Counsel won a complete dismissal of litigation filed by former Gopher football players who were sanctioned by the University after a sexual assault investigation.
The players in question had filed numerous claims against the University, its president, and a senior administrator including: gender discrimination and retaliation, racial discrimination, defamation, and more.
However, a U.S. District Court judge ruled the players’ claims lacked factual support and as a result, all claims against the University were dismissed at the outset under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6).
The civil litigation, filed in June 2018, stems from a 2016 incident in which a University of Minnesota student alleged she was the victim of sexual assault by several Gopher football players. No criminal charges were ever filed, but many of the students were sanctioned by the University for violating the school’s code of conduct.
As a result of the incident, some players were expelled and others were placed on suspension. Other athletes in question were later found not responsible.
In partnership with the University of Minnesota, the FaegreBD legal team included: Chuck Webber, Sean Somermeyer, and Chuck Knapp.
The players in question had filed numerous claims against the University, its president, and a senior administrator including: gender discrimination and retaliation, racial discrimination, defamation, and more.
However, a U.S. District Court judge ruled the players’ claims lacked factual support and as a result, all claims against the University were dismissed at the outset under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6).
The civil litigation, filed in June 2018, stems from a 2016 incident in which a University of Minnesota student alleged she was the victim of sexual assault by several Gopher football players. No criminal charges were ever filed, but many of the students were sanctioned by the University for violating the school’s code of conduct.
As a result of the incident, some players were expelled and others were placed on suspension. Other athletes in question were later found not responsible.
In partnership with the University of Minnesota, the FaegreBD legal team included: Chuck Webber, Sean Somermeyer, and Chuck Knapp.