Admiral and Wright v.
University of Texas at Dallas
University of Texas System, Gov. Greg Abbott, and Other Officials
Campus protest and retaliation case on behalf of two professors arrested at a peaceful encampment
Admiral and Wright v. University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas System, Gov. Greg Abbott, and other officials is a federal constitutional and civil rights case handled by Jump Start Legal Justice Center. The case alleges that University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) officials, the University of Texas System, and state officials including the Texas governor and Attorney General violated the professors' rights under the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments and related civil rights statutes the defendants violated these rights when they ordered and carried out arrests at a peaceful campus encampment then imposed broad and ongoing restrictions on the professors' access to campus and professional opportunities.
Case descriptions appear below for general information and do not replace the official court record.
Active Cases
- Case Name: Admiral and Wright v. University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas System, Abbott, and Other Officials (caption shortened for readability)
- Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
- Status: Active
- Filed: October 2025
- Issue Area: Free speech, assembly and protest rights, academic freedom, equal protection, and retaliation
- Clients: Rosemary Admiral and Ben Wright, professors at the University of Texas at Dallas
- Key Rights At Stake: Campus protest rights, protection from retaliation for supporting student free speech, equal treatment by state and university officials, and protection from retaliation in employment opportunities.
Background
In May 2024, students at the University of Texas at Dallas organized a peaceful pro-Palestinian encampment at Chess Plaza, sometimes referred to as the "Gaza Liberation Plaza" encampment. Professors Ben Wright and Rosemary Admiral, both members of the UTD faculty, supported their students at the encampment, provided educational materials, and helped maintain calm.
As law enforcement officers in riot gear advanced on the encampment, Wright and Admiral positioned themselves between officers and students while attempting to communicate with officials about the students' concerns and safety. Despite breaking no laws and acting within existing university policies at the time, the defendants were arrested, and subjected the professors to forceful treatment.
Following the arrests, UTD and state officials imposed broad restrictions on the professors' access to campus, communications, and professional activities. These restrictions included near-total bans from campus (later narrowed only to classroom instruction and limited research activities), along with the cancellation of at least one study abroad program and damage to the professors' reputations and career prospects.
The professors bring this lawsuit to challenge both the initial arrests and the subsequent restrictions and actions that constitute unconstitutional retaliation for protected speech and association.
Claims And Legal Issues
This case raises important questions about federal constitutional protections apply when public universities and state officials respond to campus protests and restrain faculty support for student speech.
The Complaint alleges the following:
- violations of the First Amendment rights to free speech, assembly, and association, based on arrests and restrictions imposed in response to the professors' support for a peaceful encampment.
- violations of the Fourth Amendment, based on arrests that the complaint describes as unsupported by probable cause.
- violations of the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection and Due Process Clauses, including discriminatory or retaliatory treatment and lack of fair process in restrictions imposed after the arrests.
- Claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and related civil rights statutes, to hold state and university officials accountable for alleged constitutional violations carried out under color of state law.
Not every argument made in court appears here. The focus centers on constitutional and statutory issues.
Procedural History
- May 1, 2024The encampment at UTD's Chess Plaza takes place along with peaceful protests. Texas officials nonetheless arrest Professors Admiral and Wright at the protest where they provided instruction and attempted to communicate with law enforcement and protect their students.
- Mid–2024UTD and state officials impose broad restrictions on the professors' ability to access campus and carry out normal professional activities, dispite brining no criminal charges against them.
- October 2025Lead counsel Christina Jum, along with co-counsel Chelsea Glover and Jinan Chehade, file a 29 page complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas on behalf of Admiral and Wright. The suit names UTD, the University of Texas System, current and former university presidents, Governor Sbbott, , Attorney General and other officials and seeks damages and injunctive relief.
Note: This summary does not include every filing. For full details, consult the official court docket.
Selected Filings And Orders
Key publicly available filings and court orders in this case may include:
- Complaint (filed October 2025):
Initial filing outlining the factual background, alleged constitutional and statutory violations, and relief sought. - Subsequent motions and orders:
To be added as the case progresses, such as responses to motions to dismiss, preliminary injunction rulings, or other significant orders.
Oral Arguments
At the time of this entry, no oral argument recordings exist yet for this case. As the case proceeds to hearings with recorded audio or video, you may look for them here.
Media Coverage And Commentary
Media Coverage And Commentary
The Retrograde
"Professors sue UTD over pro-Palestine encampment arrest, alleging retaliation and rights violations" – article describing the professors' arrests at a peaceful encampment, the allegations of retaliation and rights violations, and the filing of the federal lawsuit.
Read ArticleThe Guardian
"Professors sue UTD over pro-Palestine encampment arrest, alleging retaliation and rights violations" – article describing the professors' arrests at a peaceful encampment, the allegations of retaliation and rights violations, and the filing of the federal lawsuit.
Read ArticleWhy This Case Matters
This case challenges disproportionate reactions by public universities and state officials to peaceful campus protests and to faculty members who stand alongside their students.
Role Of Jump Start Legal Justice Center
Jump Start Legal Justice Center, through Christy Jump, serves as lead counsel for Professors Wright and Admiral in this matter. Christy works with organizational partners and, where applicable, co-counsel to develop the factual record, present arguments in the district court, and coordinate litigation strategy.
Her role includes both courtroom advocacy and collaboration with clients to document the ongoing impact of the challenged actions.
Important Disclaimers
Case descriptions on this site represent summaries intended provide general information about the types of matters handled by the firm. They do not constitute legal advice, and they do not replace the official court docket, filings, or orders.
- Past or current case outcomes do not predict results in any other matter
- Descriptions may omit details for privacy, confidentiality, or clarity
- Reading about a case or contacting the firm about it does not create an attorney client relationship
If Your Situation Sounds Similar
If the issues in this case resemble your own experiences – such as arrests or restrictions imposed in response to peaceful protest or support for student speech – feel free to schedule a consultation. While each case varies based on the facts, you may learn your options and useful practical approaches.