On January 19, 2010, attorneys for former DePaul University professor Thomas Klocek filed his opening brief in his appeal of the circuit court’s decision to deny him a jury trial on the merits of his defamation case against DePaul.

Klocek’s case began in June, 2005, after he saw his reputation and 14 year career at DePaul destroyed by numerous DePaul publications which falsely portrayed an academic discussion Klocek had had with representatives of the Students For Justice in Palestine and United Muslims Moving Ahead. The discussion centered around the conflict in the Middle East among other things. In the face of DePaul’s motions to dismiss, Klocek’s defamation claims were upheld in 2006 by Judge Nudelman and upheld again in 2007 by his replacement Judge Kelley.

However, in 2008, Judge Kelley was replaced by Judge Winkler who, in several orders just 21 days and less before the jury trial was to start on March 16, 2009, dismissed Klocek’s entire case. The bulk of the dismissal came on motions to which Klocek was not even given an opportunity to respond.

Klocek is hopeful the Appellate Court will give him his day in court.

If you would like to read Klocek’s brief, click here