Banford v. Board of Regents: Summary Judgement Defeats Claims for the Second Time

By Jeff Birren, Senior Writer Jen Banford and Annette Wiles coached at the University of Minnesota Duluth (“UMD”).  Both resigned from the athletic department and sued UMD, alleging various claims including disparate treatment.  The District Court granted UMD’s motion for summary judgment, ruling that their sexual orientation claims were not viable under Eighth Circuit precedent.  After they appealed, the Supreme Court issued an opinion holding that the relevant federal s