Judge denies motion to block a federal judge from starting as UK dean
A federal judge denied a motion to temporarily prevent a federal judge from starting as the next dean of the University of Kentucky College of Law.
Last week, professor Ramsi Woodcock filed a lawsuit against the incoming dean, Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove, as well as UK President Eli Capilouto, Provost Robert DiPaola and the university. Among Woodcock’s requests were asking the court to block Van Tatenhove from becoming dean of the law school and preventing UK administrators from appointing or reappointing a dean over the objection of a majority of faculty.
The case had been originally filed in the U.S. Eastern Kentucky District Court, but has since moved to the Western District, as Van Tatenhove served in the Eastern District. District Judge Benjamin J. Beaton, of the U.S. Western District of Kentucky, is now presiding over the case.
Beaton denied a motion for a temporary restraining order from Woodcock. Joe Childers, who is representing Woodcock, said he will now seek a preliminary injunction.
UK announced Van Tatenhove, who was appointed to the bench by Republican President George W. Bush, as the next dean of the college earlier this year, but the choice has been met with criticism.
Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear blasted UK administration this spring for the choice, saying he was “losing confidence and growing increasingly concerned” with the management of the state’s flagship institution. Associate deans at the law school wrote a February email to DiPaola that faculty felt Van Tatenhove was an “unacceptable” candidate as he lacked “qualifications to be granted tenure,” which could risk the school’s accreditation with the American Bar Association.
Beshear renewed his questions about Van Tatenhove’s appointment during a Thursday press conference, as well as his disapproval over a $3.2 million payout to retiring UK Director Mitch Barnhart.
UK spokesperson Jay Blanton previously said Van Tatenhove was to start as the law dean on Monday.
“We are pleased that Dean Van Tatenhove is here at UK and excited about the outstanding leadership he will provide for the Rosenberg College of Law,” Blanton said Wednesday.