Judge Orders UNC Wilmington to Promote Mike Adams, Awards Back Pay

This afternoon, a federal judge brought Professor Mike Adams’ lawsuit one step closer to conclusion when he issued a judgment in the wake of the jury’s verdict that the University of North Carolina Wilmington unconstitutionally denied Adams a promotion to full professor on the basis of his protected speech.

In his ruling on Adams’ request for equitable relief, United States Senior District Court Judge Malcolm J. Howard ordered that UNC Wilmington promote Adams to the rank of full professor, retroactive to 2007 — when the promotion would have taken effect had UNC Wilmington not violated Adams’ First Amendment rights. Judge Howard also awarded Adams $50,000 in back pay and prejudgment interest. Adams now has 15 days to file a request for costs and attorneys’ fees. We will keep you updated on any further developments.