Judge denies temporary restraining order in law professor's challenge to dean appointment

In a case filed by suspended law professor Ramsi Woodford, the University of Kentucky School of Law's appointment of former U.S. District Judge Greg Van Tatenhove as dean was challenged on First Amendment association grounds. Woodford claimed the hiring undermined the faculty's ability to convey a peer-review-based scholarly message. Judge Benjamin Beaton denied the temporary restraining order, stating Woodford failed to establish a recognizable collective message or demonstrate that the appointment would curtail faculty expression.

The court also refused Woodford's request for accelerated discovery, emphasizing the need for a proper pleading before imposing discovery burdens. Parties were instructed to exchange briefs on a motion to dismiss, with the court indicating a prompt hearing after the briefing deadline. The decision underscores that disputes over dean qualifications are generally left to university governance rather than federal courts.