Tenured Professor Sues St. Thomas College of Law After Firing

ABA Journal, Tenured Professor Sues St. Thomas College of Law After Firing:

A tenured professor filed a civil lawsuit against the St. Thomas University Benjamin L. Crump College of Law in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in Miami-Dade County after being fired, claiming she did not receive due process in violation of her contract.

Lauren Gilbert, who received full tenure in 2009, received a letter July 18 signed by Tarlika Nunez-Navarro, dean of the Miami Gardens, Florida-based law school, stating that Gilbert—who taught contracts, constitutional law and family law—was terminated immediately and given one day to clear out her office and return university property.

According to the letter, grounds for the firing include an altercation in which she grabbed a security guard in 2010 as well as more recent incidents, among them being dismissive of rumors about an active shooter on campus; emails that disparaged the hiring of one adjunct professor; and behavior at faculty meetings that included “directing comments toward the dean that were inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of conduct and professionalism.”

The issue is not whether there is adequate cause for termination but that the law school did not comply with Gilbert’s employment contract terms that demand due process before termination, says David Frakt, Gilbert’s Fleming Island, Florida-based attorney. ...

According to a statement from St. Thomas University sent to the ABA Journal, “The law school is fully adhering to our guidelines by providing Lauren Gilbert with a hearing. Our investigation into a very serious matter involving Gilbert’s conduct is ongoing.”

When asked to clarify whether there was or will be a hearing, a university spokesman did not explain, and referred back to the statement, calling this “our investigation.”

Jeremy Telman (Oklahoma City), Tenured Law Professor Seeks Declaratory Judgment that She Was Wrongfully Terminated

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