Harbaugh v. Big Ten alumni amicus brief
The law firm Rushing McCarl LLP, in partnership with local counsel, is writing a pro bono amicus brief supporting the University of Michigan’s efforts to block the Big Ten’s suspension of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh. We believe the suspension violates Big Ten rules while endangering the Wolverines’ pursuit of a Big Ten title and national championship.
Amicus briefs are submitted by nonparties whose point of view could be helpful to the court. This brief is a grassroots, fan-driven effort intended to share the perspective of Michigan alumni who love the football program. Its author is the California-based litigation firm Rushing McCarl LLP, which was co-founded by Michigan alum Ryan McCarl. The brief will be co-signed by many other alumni who choose to add their names to the brief.
Michigan sports programs help alumni across the world come together and stay connected with the university, so we should have our voices heard in this lawsuit. Our brief will help the court understand why Michigan athletics are so important to so many people. Important interests are at stake: Michigan’s concerns about the Harbaugh suspension can’t be brushed away as involving “just sports,” “just a few games,” or “just one coach.” Coach Harbaugh should be on the sidelines when Michigan collects its 1,000th program win and defeats Ohio State for the third straight year en route to another Big Ten title.
If you’re a degree-receiving U of M alum interested in signing on as a supporter of the brief, please fill out this form: http://bit.ly/harbaughbrief. You can contact the attorneys writing the brief by emailing goblue[at]rushingmccarl.com (though we cannot respond to every email).
Please also help us spread the word about this effort by sharing the link to the form with your networks. Go Blue!
November 12th, 2023 at 7:26 PM ^
Is this like change.org ?
November 12th, 2023 at 7:37 PM ^
No, it’s for alumni who want to add their names as supporters of the litigation brief we are drafting. It is being drafted now and will be filed in the Harbaugh v. Big Ten litigation this week before Friday’s hearing — probably on Tuesday.
For an example of an amicus brief our firm drafted, see this document. Note the list of “additional signatories” at the end. We’re asking interested alumni to add their names, degrees, and class years as additional signatories to the amicus brief we’ll be filing in the Harbaugh v. Big Ten litigation. Although we have to limit the signatories to alumni for logistical and strategic reasons, anyone can support our effort by spreading the word and sharing the link to the signup form (http://bit.ly/harbaughbrief) with their networks.
November 12th, 2023 at 9:18 PM ^
I certainly don't mind lending support to this, but I am curious about what impact this (the *signatures list*, not the amicus itself) would actually have - what weight it would carry?
If this were an amicus about something that would adversely affect the alumni signatories, then I could see how a judge would receive those names. However, this is basically just a list of fans (and only a subset at that)... how would that influence anything?
November 12th, 2023 at 9:32 PM ^
This isn't just a petition with signatures. This brief will include arguments about facts and law for the court to consider.
One of the questions that judges have to consider when they look at an injunction or TRO is the effect it will have on the public interest. I suspect that the amicus brief will focus on how important this team is to Michigan alumni -- and also the values of fair play and sportsmanship -- all part of showing that the injunction will benefit the public.
November 13th, 2023 at 12:18 AM ^
Because the team of lawyers isn't doing this?
November 13th, 2023 at 12:51 AM ^
It helps to have another party back up the team of lawyers. They can address issues that Harbaugh's and the University's attorneys can't for various reasons -- maybe come out and say some things the others won't, or offer a slightly different take that might be persuasive.
Jim Harbaugh and the University can try to speak for the alumni, but it helps to have someone else who can credibly represent the alumni themselves chime in. Hence the amicus brief -- and the signatures in support.
In highly visible, high-stakes litigation with public interest implications (aside from Northwestern these are public colleges after all) amicus briefs can be helpful.
The more, the merrier.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:32 PM ^
Did you read the post? If you did and you still asked this question... you're not an alum and can't sign anyway.
November 12th, 2023 at 9:19 PM ^
Nice…
November 13th, 2023 at 12:20 AM ^
Ope better call out some Walmart Wolverines in the name of an essay!!! Thanks for your duty real Michigan alum.
November 12th, 2023 at 10:08 PM ^
When I was a beginning law clerk I first had the job of opening Amicus briefs and then walking them over to the shredder.
November 13th, 2023 at 10:43 AM ^
Interesting as I know the US Supreme Court reads amicus briefs. I guess your judge was either lazy, incompetent, or both.
November 12th, 2023 at 7:27 PM ^
This is the type of action we need. Time to start winning some battles off the field as well.
November 12th, 2023 at 7:33 PM ^
I’m signed up. Thanks for doing this.
It would be great if you would post a link to the brief once it has been filed with the court.
November 12th, 2023 at 9:00 PM ^
I absolutely will.
November 12th, 2023 at 7:34 PM ^
Eh Fox where art thou? ESPN has SEC protected.
November 12th, 2023 at 7:34 PM ^
Do you have to be a U-M alum to sign?
November 12th, 2023 at 8:34 PM ^
Is UM-D and UM-F included?
November 12th, 2023 at 8:53 PM ^
I'm seeing nothing on those links that excludes UM-D or UM-F. In my non-legal opinion, the answer apparently is YES.
Or maybe it's BET.
November 12th, 2023 at 9:15 PM ^
Thanks Rob. I’m in.
Bet
November 12th, 2023 at 9:00 PM ^
Yes, that’s fine.
November 12th, 2023 at 7:36 PM ^
Done.
Bet
〽️
November 12th, 2023 at 7:40 PM ^
Signed.
November 12th, 2023 at 7:43 PM ^
One more for the cause.
Go Blue!
November 12th, 2023 at 7:45 PM ^
I signed it. Thanks!
November 12th, 2023 at 7:49 PM ^
Done!
November 12th, 2023 at 7:49 PM ^
I believe my hyphen will suffice…done!
November 12th, 2023 at 7:49 PM ^
💛💙
Bet
November 12th, 2023 at 7:51 PM ^
MOD should pin this post.
November 12th, 2023 at 7:52 PM ^
I did my surgical residency and ECMO fellowship there (7 years:). Not a degree per se, but I am a member of the Alumni Association. Eligible to sign?
Either way, this is great!
November 12th, 2023 at 8:09 PM ^
You’re a tool. (A fine needle holder, that is!)
November 12th, 2023 at 8:11 PM ^
Ha! My favorite tool! Or should I say was…:)
November 12th, 2023 at 9:02 PM ^
We made the difficult call to limit it to degree-holding alumni for strategic reasons and because it’s easier to verify that people are who they say they are that way. So unfortunately, you can’t sign, but you can help by spreading the word.
November 12th, 2023 at 9:34 PM ^
I've passed it on to several friends who are Michigan alumni, including three lawyers. Also encouraged them to spread the word.
November 12th, 2023 at 11:54 PM ^
Thank you. Everyone’s efforts are making a difference. We’ve already passed 500 signatures and attracted some big-name interest within hours of my announcement — all on a Sunday evening.
November 12th, 2023 at 7:57 PM ^
Signed
November 12th, 2023 at 7:58 PM ^
Done!
November 12th, 2023 at 8:04 PM ^
Done. Thanks for sharing. Go Blue!
November 12th, 2023 at 8:12 PM ^
done. thanks for doing this and for the opportunity.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:13 PM ^
Rym only has 940 points but did join in 2019. Anyway to validate this is legit? (In which case I'd be happy to sign.)
Bet
November 13th, 2023 at 12:38 AM ^
Some earlier threads made note of the fact that he has been quoted by S.I., Wall St Journal, and others as a legit UM alum. Check out his bio on his law firm's website for more on this stand-up Wolverine.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:16 PM ^
Can’t hurt. Of course, an amicus brief co-signed by registered Washtenaw County electors might be more persuasive at this stage.
Signed, thank you!
November 13th, 2023 at 6:02 AM ^
This was the first thing that came to mind for me as well. Though it is saying the quiet part out loud: that a Washtenaw County elected judge might take more note of a ton of Washtenaw voters openly supporting this effort.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:18 PM ^
Signed!
November 12th, 2023 at 8:24 PM ^
Signed. Go Blue; BET!
November 12th, 2023 at 8:24 PM ^
Done, BS 1981
Bet.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:25 PM ^
I wish I could sign, but I'm there with you in spirit. Good luck!
November 12th, 2023 at 8:25 PM ^
Signed. Thanks for taking the initiative.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:30 PM ^
Signed. Thanks!
B.S 2006