Federal Jury Rejects Claims Against LSU in High-Profile Title IX Suit

Phelps’ employment trial team helped Louisiana’s largest university prevail against claims of discrimination, retaliation and unlawful termination. The two-week federal trial led to the jury’s rejection of all claims against Louisiana State University, after Phelps argued an administrator’s firing was part of a program-wide staff change and not retaliation for any Title VII or Title IX complaints.

In a high-profile suit involving athletic program officials, LSU faced claims of discrimination and harassment and over $6 million in alleged damages as the case neared trial. After all local federal judges recused themselves, U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan of New Orleans stepped in to preside over the complex trial. The former administrator’s claims covered years of alleged complaints she made about behavior toward her, female students and other staff during Coach Les Miles’ tenure. LSU denied all claims and explained that the administrator was one of approximately 40 employees let go during routine staffing changes made when Head Coach Brian Kelley joined LSU.

The jury unanimously agreed with Phelps’ defense and concluded that the former administrator was not subject to a hostile work environment or to employment discrimination. And on May 7, a U.S. District Judge upheld the ruling and denied the administrator’s motion for a new trial. Phelps partners Dennis Blunt, Susie Furr, Karleen Green, Greg Stevens, counsel Jess Huffman, and associates Molly McDiarmid,  Michael Victorian and Camille Schwaner, secured the full defense verdict.