With the dramatic increase in antisemitism, and the continued rise in hate-based incidents, we turn to the law to create massive disincentives for those engaging in antisemitism, hate or extremism. It is critical that we hold people accountable for their actions and provide justice for individuals who have been targeted by hate.
ADL Litigation Areas of Focus
As we seek to fight against antisemitism, extremism, harassment and discrimination, ADL’s litigation work encompasses multiple areas of focus.
Antisemitism and Hate at K-12 & University Levels
Litigation to secure justice and challenge antisemitism and hate in educational settings.
Business and Employment Discrimination
Litigation to fight discriminatory business and employment practices.
Hate and Extremism
Litigation to counter extremist organizations and individuals.
ADL, Crowell File Second Major Lawsuit Against Perpetrators of October 7 Attack
On September 18, 2025, ADL and the law firm of Crowell & Moring LLP filed a second federal lawsuit against perpetrators of October 7 attack including Hamas, Iran and other state sponsors of terrorism and terrorist organizations. This lawsuit continues the work of securing justice for victims and aims to hold the primary architects of the attack in Israel accountable in a court of law.
ADL & Crowell Sue Iran, Syria & North Korea for Supporting Hamas’ Oct. 7th
On July 1, 2024, ADL and Crowell & Moring LLP, filed a groundbreaking lawsuit to hold Iran, Syria and North Korea accountable for supporting Hamas’ October 7th terror attack in Israel. This lawsuit will bring a measure of justice for victims and create a record in the courts of Hamas’ heinous brutality.
Federal Lawsuit against Neo-Nazi Group Blood Tribe
On February 6, 2025, the ADL, Paul Weiss and Taft Stettinius & Hollister, filed a civil lawsuit against Blood Tribe, its leaders, and additional unnamed individuals. The suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages on behalf of the City of Springfield, OH, elected officials and multiple residents targeted by the white supremacist group and its associates.
Lawsuit Against White Lives Matter Chapter After Anti-LGBT Attack on Ohio Church
On April 10, 2024, the ADL and Jones Day filed a federal civil lawsuit against members of a White Lives Matter chapter in Ohio. The suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages for their involvement in a hate crime attack targeting the Community Church of Chesterland in March 2023.
Financial Discrepancies Cited in JVP’s PAC’s Income and Expense Reports
On June 3, 2024, the ADL filed a formal complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) charging Jewish Voice for Peace’s (JVP) political fundraising arm with numerous violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act and FEC regulations.
Antisemitism and Hate at K-12 & University Levels
Litigation to secure justice and challenge antisemitism and hate in educational settings.
Pomona College Settles Civil Rights Complaint of Severe Campus Antisemitism
On December 10, 2025, Pomona College agreed to resolve the May 9, 2025 complaint filed by ADL and partner organizations. The Title VI Civil Rights complaint was filed with the Department of Education and detailed severe discrimination and harassment of Jewish students in violation of Title VI. As part of the settlement, Pomona has agreed to adopt a comprehensive set of significant reforms designed to address antisemitism on campus.
ADL & Partners File Antisemitism Lawsuit Against Culver Educational Foundation
On November 26, 2025, ADL, StandWithUs Saidoff Law, and the law firm Nixon Peabody LLP, filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of the family of a 12-year-old Jewish boy against The Culver Educational Foundation, which operates the prestigious Culver Summer Academy, an overnight camp in Indiana. The complaint details how The Culver Summer Academy failed in its duty to protect the camper from harassment, abuse, bullying and violence.
ADL Files Federal Antisemitism Complaint Against Baltimore City Public Schools
On August 7, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) opened a formal investigation into the Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS) after ADL, represented pro bono by the law firm Covington & Burling LLP, filed a July 22, 2025 federal complaint alleging the BCPSS knowingly allowed and neglected to address a hostile antisemitic school environment for its Jewish students.
MA Regional School District Failed to Protect Jewish Students from Antisemitism
On June 30, 2025, ADL, in partnership with the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law and the law firm Mayer Brown, filed a federal complaint with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights alleging that officials at Concord-Carlisle Regional School District in Massachusetts failed to protect students from pervasive antisemitic harassment, discrimination and retaliation.
The U.S. Department of Education Opens Investigation into Yale University
On March 19, 2025, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) officially opened its investigation into Yale University for violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. ADL and the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law filed their federal complaint with the OCR on April 12, 2024, claiming Yale allowed Jewish students to be harassed and discriminated for their beliefs and Jewish identity.
The U.S. Department of Education Opens Investigation into UMass-Amherst
On March 17, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) opened its investigation into the University of Massachusetts, Amherst for allegations of antisemitism and severe harassment of Jewish and Israeli students. ADL and the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law filed the complaint on April 30, 2024.
Federal Antisemitism Complaints Filed Against CA Schools Etiwanda and Scripps
On March 14, 2025, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) officially opened its investigation into Scripps College for violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. ADL, in partnership with Brandeis, StandWithUs and Arnold & Porter, filed their complaint against Scripps on February 24, 2025, alleging Scripps repeatedly abandoned Jewish and Israeli students targeted by antisemitic harassment.
On March 6, 2025, ADL, StandWithUs, and the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law filed a federal complaint with the OCR claiming Etiwanda School District in California allowed a 12-year-old girl to experience repeated antisemitic bullying and discrimination.
Antisemitic Content Taught in Santa Ana Unified School District
On February 20, 2025, Santa Ana Unified School District settled a lawsuit filed on September 11, 2023, brought by the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, ADL and the American Jewish Committee, against the school district for introducing ethnic studies courses that were developed in secret and infected with antisemitism.
Wave of Antisemitism in Philadelphia Schools After October 7th Terror Attacks
On December 20, 2024, the School District of Philadelphia entered into a resolution agreement to take a series of steps to address repeated incidents of antisemitic harassment, bullying and discrimination in response to the July 23, 2024, federal civil rights complaint filed by ADL. The complaint was filed on behalf of Jewish parents whose children have faced harassment and discrimination by students and teachers in the School District of Philadelphia.
Occidental College Settles Title VI Complaint Describing Severe Antisemitism
On November 22, 2024, Occidental College agreed to take a series of steps to address and prevent antisemitism on campus as part of a sweeping settlement agreement reached in response to a federal Title VI complaint filed on April 18, 2024, by ADL and the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law. The complaint alleged Occidental permitted severe discrimination and harassment of Jewish students.
Antisemitic Bullying in Berkeley K-12 Schools
On May 7, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) opened a formal investigation into Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) after ADL and the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law filed a federal complaint on February 28, 2024. The complaint claims BUSD failed to prevent bullying and harassment of Jewish students and allowed a severe environment of antisemitism to exist.
Ohio State Fails to Address Antisemitic Incidents
On April 9, 2024, StandWithUs, ADL and the Louis D. Brandeis Center filed a Title VI complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) against Ohio State University, alleging that the university has failed to address the severe discrimination and harassment of Jewish and Israeli students following the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel.
Campus Antisemitism Legal Line (CALL)
In the aftermath of the October 7th attack and the surge of antisemitism especially on U.S. college campuses, ADL announced, with partner Jewish organizations, the Campus Antisemitism Legal Line (CALL), a free legal protection helpline for students who have experienced antisemitism.
University NCO Improperly Censored Student Journalists
ADL secured a victory for Jewish student journalists at Princeton University.
Business and Employment Discrimination
Litigation to fight discriminatory business and employment practices.
Federal Lawsuit Against Oakland Cafe for Antisemitic Discrimination
On February 27, 2025, the ADL and Benesch Law Firm filed a lawsuit against the operators of Jerusalem Coffee House on behalf of a Jewish customer. The suit alleges that the cafe violated his civil rights and denied him full and equal accommodations when it refused him service simply for being Jewish.
Employment Discrimination Lawsuit Against Intel
On February 20, 2025, the ADL resolved it’s claims against Intel and dismissed the federal lawsuit. The complaint alleged that Intel failed to address a hostile work environment, discriminated against the plaintiff and retaliated against him for reporting it. The ADL joined the complaint on September 19, 2024.
Impact Highlights
February 20, 2025: Santa Ana Unified School District settled a lawsuit brought by the Brandeis Center, ADL and AJC against the school district for introducing ethnic studies courses that were developed in secret and infected with antisemitism. Read More
December 20, 2024: The School District of Philadelphia entered into a resolution agreement to take a series of steps to address repeated incidents of antisemitic harassment, bullying and discrimination in response to a federal civil rights complaint filed by ADL. Read More
November 26, 2024: Occidental College agreed to take a series of steps to address and prevent antisemitism on campus as part of a sweeping settlement agreement reached in response to a federal Title VI complaint filed by ADL and Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law. Read More