Suspended law student sues Penn State Dickinson, says law school denied her a fair hearing
A suspended law student has filed a federal civil rights suit against Pennsylvania State University’s Dickinson Law School and three administrators.
Nicole Suissa contends in the suit that the law school unfairly pressured her not to assert her rights and didn’t follow its own required procedures in improperly disciplining her for a claimed honor code violation. The discipline was based on allegations that Suissa accessed the Internet on her cellphone while taking a restroom break during a law school exam.
An Above the Law post provides links to the August complaint and an answer filed last week by the defendants in the Middle District of Pennsylvania case.
Suissa asserts causes of action for breach of contract and violation of her due process rights under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
In their answer, the defendants deny that they did anything wrong and seek a declaratory judgment in their favor, dismissal of Suissa’s suit with prejudice and reimbursement of their attorney fees and costs.
Suissa is seeking immediate reinstatement as well as the renewal of scholarship, financial aid and work funding that was rescinded after her suspension, as well as damages.
See also:
Hartford Courant: “University of Hartford Grad Has a South Carolina Lawyer To Thank”
Penn State News: “Class of 2015 brings an array of experiences to Penn State Law”
