Case: Soffer v. George Washington University
1:25-cv-01657 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia
Filed Date: May 22, 2025
Case Ongoing
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Case Summary
This case challenged George Washington University (GW) for allegedly permitting and failing to respond to pervasive antisemitism on its campus, particularly after the October 7 attacks, in violation of federal and state law. Other cases involving universities’ responses to speech and activity concerning Israel and Palestine, including matters involving antisemitism and/or anti-Palestinian expression, can be found here.
On May 22, 2025, two Jewish undergraduate students at GW’s Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Compliance, Accountability, Policy, Ethics – Ed (CAPE-ED), and four individual CAPE-ED members filed a lawsuit against GW in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The plaintiffs brought claims under Title VI for direct discrimination and hostile educational environment, as well as under the District of Columbia Human Rights Act (D.C. Code Ann. §§ 2-1401.01) and for breach of contract. They sought injunctive relief, a declaratory judgment, damages, and attorneys’ fees. The case was assigned to Judge Loren L. AliKhan.
In the complaint, the plaintiffs alleged that GW violated Title VI in two related but distinct ways. First, they claimed GW engaged in direct discrimination by intentionally subjecting Jewish and Israeli students to adverse treatment based on their ethnicity and ancestry. Second, plaintiffs alleged that GW violated Title VI by failing to enforce its policies, allowing a hostile environment to develop and persist for Jewish students, despite being aware of ongoing antisemitic harassment. This conduct allegedly interfered with students’ ability to participate in classes, access campus facilities, and fully engage in university life. Plaintiffs further asserted that these actions violated the D.C. Human Rights Act by restricting access to university programs and benefits, and breached GW’s contractual obligations by not maintaining a safe and non-discriminatory educational environment as promised in its policies.
On July 28, 2025, GW filed a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim. GW argued that plaintiffs did not demonstrate deliberate indifference or a denial of access to educational services. The motion further asserted that the contract claim was based on aspirational policy statements rather than enforceable promises, and that the breach of implied covenant claim failed for the same reason. Additionally, GW contended that plaintiffs lacked standing to seek injunctive relief and that CAPE-ED lacked standing to pursue any form of relief and should have been dismissed.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Dahlia Gottlieb (3/16/2026)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70345547/parties/soffer-v-george-washington-university/
Torchinsky, Jason Brett (District of Columbia)
Delery, Stuart F. (District of Columbia)
Richman, Brian Alan (District of Columbia)
Schwartz, Jason Craig (District of Columbia)
Spencer, Jacob T. (District of Columbia)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70345547/soffer-v-george-washington-university/
Last updated March 25, 2026, 12:08 a.m.
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Title VI Anti-Palestinian/Antisemitism cases
Key Dates
Filing Date: May 22, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Two Jewish undergraduate students at GW’s Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, and Compliance, Accountability, Policy, Ethics – Ed (CAPE-ED), and four individual CAPE-ED members.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Other
George Washington University
Defendant Type(s):
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq.
Other Dockets:
District of District of Columbia 1:25-cv-01657
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Affected National Origin/Ethnicity(s):
Affected Religion(s):
Case Summary of Soffer v. George Washington University, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/47315/ (last updated 3/16/2026).