IN THE NEWS: Pullman & Comley Attorney Comments on Class Status Granted in Quinnipiac Volleyball Lawsuit

Pullman & Comley attorney Jonathan Orleans was quoted in an Associated Press story on the May 21 ruling by District of Connecticut Judge Stefan Underhill to grant class action status to a lawsuit filed by members of Quinnipiac University's women's volleyball team alleging gender discrimination in the school's athletic programs.  The story has appeared in newspapers and news outlets across the country.

According to Jon, who with Pullman attorney Alex Hernandez represents the volleyball players and their coach,  "It's not just about volleyball.  It's about making sure the university provides genuine and equitable participation opportunities to all of its female varsity athletes."

Pullman & Comley, acting as cooperating counsel with the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Connecticut, brought the suit in 2009 against the University, which had announced plans to cut the women's volleyball program, despite the fact that it was not then in compliance with Title IX.  In May 2009 Judge Underhill issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting the University from eliminating the team until the lawsuit is resolved.  With class action status, if the judge finds Title IX violations, "he could order remedies for all current and future female athletes at the school, not just the five members of the team who sued," the article reports.  The trial is scheduled to begin on June 21.

To read the full article, click here.