The Lawfare Project Gains New Co-Counsels in Columbia Lawsuit

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has joined The Lawfare Project as co-counsel in filing an amended complaint in the ongoing lawsuit filed against Columbia University in February 2024.

The Lawfare Project filed a lawsuit on behalf of Mackenzie Forrest, a Jewish student who was forced out of an academic program in retaliation for reporting an unsafe and hostile environment for Jewish students on campus.

Mackenzie, who was at the School of Social Work at Columbia, experienced multiple incidents of antisemitism on campus, including bullying as a re to sult of her request to accommodate her Sabbath observance and a hostile environment following the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. 

Mackenzie began to fear for her physical safety after the campus became a hotbed of virulent Jew-hatred in the wake of the October 2023 Hamas attacks. The campus was flooded with pro-Palestinian protests, many of which were openly hostile to Jewish students. In response, Mackenzie reported the unsafe climate to faculty and requested accommodations, including the option to attend classes remotely due to her legitimate fears. 

Instead of receiving the support she was entitled to, Mackenzie was mocked for her concerns and told that her request would be denied. Shortly thereafter, faculty members—who had already shown clear hostility—fabricated false pretexts to justify failing her, despite her record as a straight-A student. These actions culminated in her unjust expulsion from the program.

“The vitriolic and antisemitic environment at Columbia is indefensible,” said Ziporah Reich, Director of Litigation at The Lawfare Project. “Mackenzie’s right to a safe, non-discriminatory education is being violated by Columbia’s actions, and we will continue to fight for her to receive the justice she deserves.”

With the addition of Willkie Farr & Gallagher, one of the premier law firms in the country, we are confident that our legal efforts will only gain strength as we continue to seek both injunctive relief and monetary damages for the harm Mackenzie has suffered, as well as for the retaliation she faced simply for being Jewish.

“Columbia University failed Mackenzie and allowed her to be subjected to an atmosphere of hatred and discrimination,” said Brooke Goldstein, Founder and Executive Director of The Lawfare Project. “This case is about more than just Mackenzie—it’s about making sure universities across the country are held accountable for their role in fostering safe environments for all students, free from hate and harassment.”

Since the lawsuit was filed, Columbia University has made some changes to its campus protest policies, but these actions remain insufficient in addressing the broader issue of antisemitism. We are committed to ensuring that Columbia, and other institutions, take meaningful and lasting steps to protect their Jewish students and provide them with the accommodations and support they are entitled to under the law.

Thank you for your continued support as we fight for justice and accountability. We will continue to keep you updated on this case and its developments.