Holtzman Vogel Represents Columbia Students in Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit Against University
Holtzman Vogel filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in the SDNY on behalf of Jewish brothers Jonathan Lederer and David Lederer against Columbia University. The complaint asserts claims under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the New York City Human Rights Law, as well as a claim of breach of contract.
This case was filed to hold Columbia accountable for nearly two years of severe and pervasive harassment, assault, and discrimination against the Lederer brothers based on their Jewish identity. The lawsuit seeks to address Columbia's alleged failure to protect Jewish students from a hostile educational environment, its disparate treatment of Jewish students compared to non-Jewish students in disciplinary matters and event restrictions, and its breach of contractual obligations to provide a safe, non-discriminatory learning environment. The firm is pursuing this litigation to obtain justice for the Lederers' experiences—including two physical assaults against Jonathan, repeated exclusion from campus buildings and spaces, and discriminatory enforcement of university policies—while also seeking to ensure that Columbia fulfills its legal and contractual duties to all students regardless of their protected characteristics.
The Holtzman Vogel team includes attorneys Susan Greene, Jason Torchinsky, Jonathan Lienhard, and Daniel Bruce.
