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Ex-associate professor files bias suit against Florida law school
February 9, 2009
A former associate professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law has launched a racial and sexual discrimination lawsuit against the school and its dean, alleging that she was forced out of her job in retaliation for complaining about unfair treatment.
The lawsuit filed by Sherrie Russell-Brown, an African-American, alleges that despite glowing reviews, a promotion and nominations for Professor of the Year in 2002 and 2003, Russell-Brown was passed over for tenure consideration and constructively fired because of the school's pervasive racism and sexism.
The suit names as defendants Dean Robert H. Jerry, the University of Florida and its board of trustees.
A spokeswoman for the University of Florida said that the school had not yet reviewed the lawsuit, which was filed on Feb. 5. The spokeswoman also said that the school could not comment on pending litigation.
In Russell-Brown v. University of Florida, No., 1:09-CV-00023 (N.D. Fla.), the professor alleges a number of racist incidents at the school, including a situation in which one school official in a faculty meeting said that the school should not consider African American candidates for positions in administration because "the alumni could not relate to" or give money to African Americans. Russell-Brown also contends that another law professor sent an open letter to faculty members identifying examples of racism and sexism at the school, including one professor's reference during class to "a gay Jew" and "a gay Buddhist."
In addition, she alleges that a professor at the school referred to a candidate for a faculty position of East Asian descent as "Deepak" (not his name) who was from "India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka or whatever."
A Web site that lists Russell-Brown's credentials states that she was the associate director of the Center on Children and the Law at the law school and that she graduated with a master of laws from Columbia Law School in 1999. Another professor with the same last name, Katheryn Russell-Brown, currently teaches at the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
The 36-page complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida asserts that Sherrie Russell-Brown was "completely shunned" by her colleagues after she made complaints to the dean about the alleged problems and that she received a threatening e-mail from a white student following her complaints. She also asserts that a male colleague hit her from behind and pushed her into a "white board" in her classroom because of her complaints.
Furthermore, the lawsuit charges that the dean placed Russell-Brown on "leave without pay" status following her complaints, which eventually forced her resignation effective Dec. 31, 2007.
She is seeking damages for economic harm, mental anguish, emotional pain and suffering and harm to reputation. Representing Russell-Brown is Kenneth P. Thompson of Thompson Wigdor & Gilly in New York.
"Everything happened after she complained," Thompson said. "We are going to hold the University of Florida and the law school accountable."
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