This story is developing and will continue to be updated.
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School professor Amy Wax appealed a lower court’s dismissal of her discrimination lawsuit against the University on Thursday, asking the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit to revisit the case.
The filing — submitted on Jan. 15 — comes after senior U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Savage dismissed Wax’s case in August 2025. Wax filed a notice of appeal last September.
A University spokesperson declined to comment on Wax’s appeal, citing “ongoing litigation” in a statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian. Requests have been left with Wax’s attorneys.
In the Jan. 15 filing, Wax argued that Penn’s sanctions against her violated federal civil rights law, pointing to disciplinary measures that included a one-year suspension at half pay and the revocation of her named chair.
“The district court failed to accept Professor Wax’s well-pled allegations as true, as it was obligated to do on a motion to dismiss,” the document’s conclusion read.
The conclusion added that “the decision of the district court should be reversed.”
Wax also referenced a separate breach of contract lawsuit she filed against Penn in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas in November 2025 — a case that is currently stayed pending the outcome of her federal appeal.
Senior reporter Ananya Karthik covers central administration and can be reached at ananyakk@sas.upenn.edu. At Penn, she studies communication and economics. Follow her on X @ananyaakarthik.
