Ian P. CooperIan Cooper and Jenna Lakamp have won a case brought under the Age Discrimination Act, a federal statute prohibiting age discrimination against students by universities and other recipients of federal funds. The case was brought by a former student in Southern Illinois University’s Nurse Anesthetist graduate program in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. On September 30, 2023, the Court granted the University summary judgment on all of the student’s claims and awarded the University its costs in the case. The Age Discrimination Act is a rarely litigated statute and the Court’s decision is one of only a handful of such cases from around the country. The student did not appeal from the Court’s Judgment.
Higher Education – 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. 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.
Ian P. Cooper is a founding Shareholder of Tueth, Keeney, Cooper, Mohan & Jackstadt, P.C. Ian practices in the areas of employment law, higher education law, and litigation and regularly serves as lead trial and appellate counsel in significant employment lawsuits, including class actions and other complex litigation. Ian has been elected a Fellow in both the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and in Litigation Counsel of America. He has also been named a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Ian was named the 2022 St. Louis Lawyer of the Year in Labor and Employment Litigation by Best Lawyers.
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.