Lawsuits
Swipe sideways to see the whole diagram, or open it full size.
Federal Suspension Case
In November 2025, I sued University of Kentucky officials in federal court to stop their investigation of my speech and to end my suspension from teaching and my ban from the law building (the latter has since been lifted), which the University imposed after I posted my petition for international military action to end Israel to AALS discussion lists. Woodcock v. Capilouto, No. 5:25-cv-00424 (E.D. Ky.).
Filings in this case are collected here.
Sixth Circuit Appeal in Federal Suspension Case
The District Court in the Federal Suspension Case initially abstained. I appealed, and the Sixth Circuit reversed in August 2026 and sent the case back for a ruling on my motion to end the investigation and return to teaching. Woodcock v. Capilouto, No. 26-5057 (6th Cir.).
Filings in this appeal are collected here.
State Suspension Case
Because federal courts cannot hear state-law claims against state officials, I brought my contract, Kentucky Campus Free Speech Protection Act, Kentucky Civil Rights Act, and Kentucky constitutional claims against the investigation and suspension in state court. The case was filed in Fayette Circuit Court in July 2026, transferred to Franklin Circuit Court (Nos. 26-CI-01010 and 26-CI-01017), and consolidated with the state dean case (of which see below).
Filings in this case are collected here.
Federal Dean Case (Voluntarily Dismissed)
In July 2026, I sued to block the University’s appointment of Gregory Van Tatenhove as dean of the law school over the faculty’s objection that he is unqualified. The appointment violates my First Amendment right of expressive association because I joined the faculty in part to send the message that my scholarship is subject to the review of peer scholars. I voluntarily dismissed the case in August 2026 and refiled it in state court. Woodcock v. Van Tatenhove, No. 5:26-cv-00262 (E.D. Ky.).
Filings in this case are collected here.
State Dean Case
My challenge to the dean appointment under the Kentucky Constitution and the University’s contractual commitment to accreditation standards. Franklin Circuit Court No. 26-CI-00885.
Filings in this case are collected here.
The major filings in all cases are provided below.
-
Petition for Rehearing or Rehearing En Banc
I petitioned for the panel to rehear my motion for an injunction pending appeal or for the full court to rehear it en banc. Update: On March 23, 2026, the Sixth Circuit denied the petition.
-
Order Partially Expediting Briefing
The court of appeals granted the motion to expedite briefing in part. The court did not issue an opinion.
-
Motion to Expedite
My motion for an expedited briefing schedule for the appeal discusses some of the issues overlooked by the appeals court in its denial of my motion for an injunction pending appeal.
-
Court of Appeals’ Denial of Motion for an Injunction Pending Appeal
Like the District Court, this panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals declined to address the merits of my First Amendment and due process claims and instead focused on whether it makes sense for federal courts to abstain from hearing my constitutional challenges out of respect for the University as a state actor. Unfortunately, the…
-
Reply to University’s Response to Motion for a Ruling on the Motion for an Injunction Pending Appeal
The university’s response to my motion to the court of appeals for a ruling on my motion for an injunction pending appeal didn’t break much new ground. In reply I pointed out the many ways in which the university had failed to meet its burden on my First Amendment claims.
-
Reply to AG’s Response to Motion for a Ruling on the Motion for an Injunction Pending Appeal
My motion to the court of appeals to rule on my motion for an injunction pending appeal elicited some procedural objections from the AG, which I countered here.
-
Reply to University’s Response to Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal
The University also responded to my motion for an injunction pending appeal. Here is my reply.
-
Reply to Kentucky Attorney General’s Response to Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal
As part of my lawsuit, I asked the Kentucky Attorney General to stop enforcing a Kentucky law that requires Kentucky’s public universities to tar principled opposition to the colonization, apartheid, and genocide of Palestine as “antisemitism”. All Kentuckians have a First Amendment right to oppose Israel. The Attorney General filed a brief in the U.S.…
-
Motion for a Ruling on the Motion for an Injunction Pending Appeal
Ten days after I motioned for an injunction pending appeal, I filed a motion for the court of appeals to issue a ruling on the motion.