Ian Cooper and Jenna Lakamp obtain judgment for University on former employee’s national origin discrimination and retaliation claims

Feb 19, 2018

Ian Cooper and Jenna Lakamp recently obtained summary judgment for Southern Illinois University in a case entitled Tamari v. Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University. The plaintiff in the case, a former employee at the University’s Edwardsville campus, alleged that she was discriminated against on the basis of her national origin, and that the University retaliated against her after she complained of discrimination. Judge Nancy Rosenstengel of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois rejected the plaintiff’s claims and entered judgment for the University on all claims.


Ian P. Cooper is a founding Shareholder of Tueth, Keeney, Cooper, Mohan & Jackstadt, P.C. Ian practices in the areas of employment, higher education, commercial, and tort litigation and regularly serves as lead trial and appellate counsel in significant employment, tort and commercial cases, including class actions and other complex litigation in Missouri and Illinois. Ian is member of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and is Chairman of the Firm.

Jenna M. Lakamp practices primarily in the areas of labor & employment, litigation, and education law, representing both private and public institutions in education and employment matters. Jenna is licensed in Missouri and Illinois and regularly litigates in both jurisdictions. Prior to joining the firm, Jenna practiced civil litigation at a large defense firm in St. Louis where she gained experience in discovery, motion practice, and client interaction. Jenna attended law school at Washington University in St. Louis, where she was active in The National Moot Court Team. Jenna also clerked with a successful litigation firm during law school.

Tueth Keeney maintains one of the largest and most successful higher education law groups in the Midwest. Our higher education practice includes representation of numerous colleges and universities throughout Missouri and Illinois. In addition, the Firm is one of approximately twenty law firms in the nation that have been appointed to act as Select Counsel to represent higher education institutions insured by United Educators Insurance Risk Retention Group, Inc., the nation’s largest insurer of colleges and universities. The attorneys in the Firm’s higher education group provide a full range of services to colleges and universities, ranging from day-to-day counseling on legal issues, to representation in complex litigation.