RNWLG Represents Oregon State University in Pac-12 Litigation
April 1, 2024 - Oregon State University (“OSU”) retained RNWLG attorneys, Matthew Mensik and Max Archer, as its local counsel in the litigation it filed with Washington State University (“WSU”) against the Pac-12 Conference, the then-Conference Commissioner, George Kliavkoff, and the University of Washington (“UW”), which intervened in the litigation shortly after its commencement. OSU and WSU commenced the lawsuit in Whitman County Superior Court (see Case No. 23-2-00273-38).
Judge Gary Libey granted OSU and WSU’s joint motion for a temporary restraining order on September 11, 2023, which immediately restrained Former Commissioner Kliavkoff from calling any Pac-12 board meetings pending a subsequent hearing addressing whether the Pac-12 Conference’s bylaws prohibited the 10 other member schools from participating in the Pac-12 Conference’s governance due to their decision to leave the Conference.
Judge Libey granted OSU and WSU’s motion for preliminary injunction at a subsequent hearing on November 14, 2023. In so doing, Judge Libey held the Pac-12 Conference’s bylaws precluded the 10 departing member schools from voting on or otherwise deciding the future of the Pac-12 Conference. At the hearing, Judge Libey also denied a motion to dismiss the litigation.
The Pac-12 Conference, Former Commissioner Kliavkoff, and UW subsequently sought discretionary review of Judge Libey’s rulings by the Washington State Supreme Court. Their motion for discretionary review was denied, however, by a Special En Banc Conference on December 15, 2023. The litigation was settled out of court and the litigation was dismissed on March 28, 2024.
RNWLG is proud of the opportunity to represent Oregon State University.
More information on the case can be found below:
