Judge Quashes ADL Subpoenas in ASU Protest Lawsuit Discovery Fight
Judge John Tuchi quashed subpoenas to the ADL in an ASU protest lawsuit on August 3, 2026.
Why it matters: This ruling restricts discovery scope in a politically sensitive civil rights case involving university protests and a major advocacy group. It clarifies limits on seeking internal communications from organizations like the ADL in litigation tied to university governance and alleged disciplinary actions against students.
- Judge John Tuchi quashed subpoenas targeting the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on August 3, 2026, in <em>Campos v. Arizona Board of Regents</em>.
- Plaintiffs sought ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt’s deposition and documents about ADL’s communications with Arizona State University (ASU) regarding a pro-Palestine protest on April 26, 2024.
- Plaintiffs claim the ADL influenced ASU’s disciplinary process against students for the protest demonstration.
- Court found plaintiffs failed to show the subpoenaed communications were relevant or proportional to the lawsuit’s claims, limiting discovery scope.
On August 3, 2026, U.S. District Judge John Tuchi ruled to quash subpoenas directed at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in the case Campos v. Arizona Board of Regents, a lawsuit arising from a pro-Palestine student protest at Arizona State University (ASU) on April 26, 2024.
The plaintiffs allege that following the protest, the ADL communicated with ASU officials and influenced the university's disciplinary actions against several students. They subpoenaed ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt for deposition testimony and sought internal communications between the ADL and ASU to support their claims.
Judge Tuchi’s order, available through the district court docket, concluded that plaintiffs failed to show the requested information was "relevant to any party’s claim or defense" and not "proportional to the needs of the case," citing Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(b)(1). He emphasized that discovery must be balanced and that the plaintiffs’ broad subpoena imposed undue burden.
The court’s limitation narrows plaintiffs’ access to potentially sensitive communications between the ADL, a prominent civil rights organization, and ASU regarding the protest and subsequent disciplinary responses. This sets an important precedent for discovery scope involving external advocacy groups in civil rights and campus protest litigation.
An analysis by Law360 contextualizes this decision within ongoing debates over discovery boundaries amidst politically charged university protest cases.
The ruling leaves undisclosed the exact disciplinary measures ASU took and the substance of ADL’s communications, underscoring the tension between student protest rights, institutional governance, and external advocacy influence in litigation.
By the numbers:
- August 3, 2026 — Date Judge John Tuchi quashed subpoenas to the ADL.
- April 26, 2024 — Date of the pro-Palestine protest at Arizona State University.
- Two key subpoenas — Deposition of ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt and ADL-ASU communications sought.
Yes, but: While the ruling limits discovery, it does not dismiss the plaintiffs’ claims. Plaintiffs may seek other evidence to support their case without ADL communications.
What's next: Further proceedings in <em>Campos v. Arizona Board of Regents</em> will continue without ADL records, with potential motions to compel or narrow further discovery expected.