LSU Law Center Criminal Law Professor Ken Levy
State District Judge Don Johnson has ordered LSU to immediately reinstate law professor Ken Levy after suspending him for alleged inappropriate classroom statements. Levy’s Attorney Jill Craft5 says the temporary restraining order prevents LSU from infringing on Levy’s free speech and due process rights or retaliating against him.
“The reason the Supreme Court uses the following language when it says things like, “is it an action designed likely to dissuade others from coming forward?” That’s the essence of retaliation and that’s why it’s illegal.
Levy sued LSU, arguing the suspension violated his constitutional rights. The suspension followed a Jan. 17 letter citing student complaints about Levy’s comments during a criminal law class, where he criticized Gov. Jeff Landry, said “F*** the governor” jokingly, and shared his political views. Craft says the complaints were inaccurate.
“We have both the recording and the transcript from the class itself, and the comment about Governor Landry was truly a joke, and you can hear the students laughing out loud about how funny it was.”
Levy also made unflattering comments about President Donald Trump on the first day of the 2025 spring semester.
A court hearing is set for Feb. 10. Levy’s attorney called the case a crucial free speech issue. LSU vowed to continue its investigation, emphasizing respect and professionalism in the classroom.
“It was all within the confines of a class educating law students and it still makes me scratch my head as to how we got here other than fact that someone got their feelings hurt.”
On Friday, private attorneys hired by LSU have asked courts to either stay or dissolve the temporary restraining order. In a court filing, LSU says its investigating Levy after receiving student complaints about inappropriate, vulgar, and potentially harassing conduct in the classroom.
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