Political Discrimination Case

 

Bipartisan Diversity

A woman has filed suit against the University of Iowa claiming political discrimination.  She claims that despite her experience as a practicing attorney, law school book editor and adjunct law professor, she was denied her application for a professor position at the University’s law school due to her conservative political beliefs.  The job was instead awarded to a liberal male candidate who had never practiced law or worked with legal publications.  Internal University emails have surfaced which seem to support the plaintiff’s claim. 

As the law school is part of a state university, the plaintiff’s claim rests on First Amendment Freedom of Speech and Fourteenth Amendment Due Process grounds.  In upholding race-based admissions policies, the U.S. Supreme Court stated that a diverse campus is a compelling state interest.  Therefore, it is possible that the federal jury hearing this case could side with the plaintiff by finding that diversity of political thought is equally compelling and worthy of governmental protection.  A decision is expected later this week.