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Reid Skibell and Jon Friedman Discuss Pro Bono Work on Major Student Civil Rights Case

Written by Admin | Jul 2, 2025 4:45:18 PM

Partners Reid Skibell and Jon Friedman recently spoke with JD Supra about the preliminary injunction they helped secure in a pro bono lawsuit brought on behalf of Victim Rights Law Center and two students and their parents. Glenn Agre collaborated with Public Justice on this case. The injunction enjoins a mass termination targeting the Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) that prevented the OCR from fulfilling its statutory mandate to investigate complaints of discrimination against students and enforce federal civil rights laws.

“The Court found that the Department of Education’s actions were likely arbitrary and capricious, violating the Administrative Procedure Act,” said Reid. “We submitted significant evidence confirming that the mass terminations and office closures would have left the OCR unable to resolve discrimination complaints in a timely and meaningful way, effectively dismantling its ability to enforce federal civil rights laws.”

Jon discussed the impact of the case on students and families nationwide. “This ruling ensures that the OCR remains a resource for students and families facing discrimination,” he said. “Without this injunction, thousands of investigations would have stalled, and students would have nowhere to turn. The decision sends a strong message that civil rights protections cannot be dismantled by fiat.”

They also discussed the ruling’s implications for the future. “This decision reinforces a critical principle: the administration cannot unilaterally dismantle civil rights protections without Congressional approval,” said Reid. “It’s a reminder that the rule of law prevails, even in the face of attempts to undermine it.”

“While the preliminary injunction is a significant victory, the government must now take the required steps to restore terminated employees and ensure that the OCR fulfills its legal responsibility to protect the civil rights of students facing discrimination,” Jon added. “We are monitoring that process and will continue to advocate for our clients as the litigation progresses and work to ensure that the OCR remains equipped to fulfill its mission.”

Read more in JD Supra