Ousted Law School Dean Sues

Jennifer Bard has filed a lawsuit against the University of Cincinnati College of Law, where she served as dean until a faculty vote of no confidence placed her on administrative leave in March. Bard was hired in 2015, with the primary mission of overhauling the school’s budgetary problems. She suggested, among other things: increasing the current teaching load from three classes; combining the law library with that of the main university library; requiring written advance approval and receipts for faculty travel; and trimming back the use of school operating funds to supplement salaries of senior faculty members holding endowed chairs. Squabbling between the dean and law professors became so bad the university’s provost stepped in to mediate, then stripped Bard of her duties and placed her on leave. In a federal complaint filed in the Southern District of Ohio, Bard alleges denial of due process, breach of contract and First Amendment retaliation. Bard seeks to be reinstated as dean, along with compensatory and punitive damages.