AmLaw Litigation Daily recognized partners Noah Kaufman and Jon Roellke (retired) on Apr. 9 for their work representing Brown University in a proposed class action lawsuit. The suit alleged that Ivy League universities had violated federal antitrust law by agreeing not to offer athletic scholarships.
The recognition comes after a Second Circuit panel upheld a lower court’s decision to dismiss the case against Brown University. This outcome marks an important development for both the university and other institutions facing similar claims.
Kaufman and Roellke were given “shout-out” honors by AmLaw Litigation Daily for their roles in defending the university throughout the litigation process. Their representation contributed to securing a favorable ruling at both the district court and appellate levels.
The case centered on whether Ivy League schools’ policies regarding athletic scholarships constituted an unlawful agreement under federal antitrust statutes. The dismissal, now affirmed on appeal, sets precedent for how such cases may be handled moving forward.
This decision could influence future litigation involving higher education institutions and scholarship practices, as courts continue to interpret the boundaries of antitrust law within academic settings.
