National Jurist -September 2008 - (Page 16) Law professor raises eyebrows University of Arkansas at Little Rock professor Richard Peltz sparks national headlines after suing two former students for defamation, claiming they falsely labeled him a racist racking a high-profile lawsuit isn’t Among the publications picking up on book,” said Mitchell H. Rubinstein, editor unusual in the law-school commu- the story was The New York Times. Writer of the Adjust Law Prof Blog. nity. But in this case, the lawsuit is Lynnley Browning noted: “The Arkansas Peltz joined the Bowen School of Law by a University of Arkansas at Little case could do more than give law stu- faculty in 1998. He is a tenured law proRock professor against, among other dents practical experience before they take fessor, teaching courses including torts, parties, two of his former students. the bar; it could also renew debate about constitutional law, communications law, The suit — filed in March by free speech on campus and academic free- First Amendment law and freedom of Richard Peltz, a constitutional law profes- dom.” information law. sor — has raised some eyebrows in He is suing for defamation to the educational comrecover damages for “substantial and irreparable injury” to his reputation. By Karen Dybis munity. It also has sparked national newsPeltz claims his reputation was dampaper articles, online debate on law aged as a result of the defendants’ blogs and general conversation as to “publishing of false statements of whether Peltz should have taken any fact in spoken and written words” action at all. about him, his character and his Peltz claims students Valerie integrity. D. Nation of Little Rock and In particular, Peltz claims the stuChrishauna L. Clark of Pine Bluff, dents wrongly accused him of being who are former officers of the univera racist. sity’s Black Law Student Association, “I am not prepared to accept the have made false accusations against proposition that academic freedom him around the law school and in ends at the front door of the law the statewide legal community since school,” Peltz said. “Thus, it is my 2005. The lawsuit also names lawyer hope that in the larger scheme of Eric Spencer Buchanan, president of things, this bit of legislation will not the W. Harold Flowers Law Society, be a matter of great moment other and the society itself. than to be as a person who sought to Peltz, who has rarely spoken clear his name.” about the case, told National Jurist Still, Peltz said he has received that he feels the lawsuit was not only “I am not prepared to accept the a wide array of feedback since this necessary, but completely legitilawsuit became public. proposition that academic freedom mate considering the charges leveled “From those who know me I ends at the front door of the law against him. have received nothing but support; “After months of repeated failure from those who are bent upon a school.” to engage the other side in mediation result without a regard for the so that I could remove the stigma of — Prof. Richard Peltz, University of Arkansas means, I have been made aware of the false allegation of ‘racist,’ which the price one pays when he seeks to was repeatedly made against me, I had no Noted legal bloggers including clear his name,” Peltz said. other choice but to seek to clear my name Paul Caron, Ann Althouse and Steven The suit was pending at press time, in a court of law,” Peltz said. Bainbridge have posted newspaper articles although Peltz said his lawyers continue “It is my legal opinion that freedom of about the lawsuit. Others have chimed in to seek a resolution by mediation. He has expression has never included the right to on the suit, mostly disagreeing with Peltz’s dismissed his original charges against the falsely stigmatize a person and make him decision to file. Black Law Students Association. or her unemployable,” Peltz added. “From “Though I suppose professors have “I remain hopeful that this matter can a personal point of view, I can think of the right to sue just like everyone else in be resolved without the necessity of a only a few things worse than being falsely America, suing your students, well, that’s trial,” Peltz said. accused of being a racist.” over the line — way over the line in my 16 THE NATIONAL JURIST September 2008 http://ualr.edu/www/ http://ualr.edu/www/
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