The contentious lawsuit filed by former George Mason University law professor Joshua Wright has come to an unexpected conclusion, as court records reveal he has withdrawn the case. Wright, who stepped down in 2023 after facing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, agreed with the university to drop the matter without clarifying if a settlement was reached. Both parties will bear their own legal expenses, per the court’s filing.
This development halts over a year of contentious legal proceedings. Wright had accused the university of mishandling its investigation into claims that he exploited his position at the Antonin Scalia Law School to pursue inappropriate relationships with students. Among these accusations was one from his former student-turned-colleague, Elyse Dorsey, who alleged misconduct during their long-running relationship, which spanned over a decade.
Dorsey, now a partner at a prestigious law firm, asserted that Wright undermined her career opportunities and alleged incidents of assault early in their relationship. The university, which dismissed Wright’s own counterclaims of harassment against Dorsey, emphasized its commitment to student protection.
The legal dispute became further entangled when Wright challenged the university’s decision to dismiss his Title IX complaint against Dorsey, arguing it amounted to biased treatment. However, a federal judge previously allowed the university to continue its inquiry, and Wright ultimately chose to abandon the legal fight.
This resolution leaves unanswered questions about the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the case and what implications, if any, it might hold for future university investigations into misconduct allegations involving faculty.
