Law Professor Accused of Harassment Quits at Emory U.

Atlanta, Georgia

An Emory University law professor, who was the subject of student protests last month after the university cleared him of sexual- harassment charges, has resigned.

Abraham P. Ordover, head of the litigation program at Emory’s law school, last week resigned his faculty position effective in June. In turn, the university dropped its inquiry into new sexual-harassment complaints filed against him by four female law students.

Last month, a faculty panel cleared Mr. Ordover of similar complaints made against him by more than a dozen students.

Mr. Ordover, who has denied the allegations, said in a statement that he had decided to step down because “someone had to start the healing process.” He will be on a leave of absence for the rest of the semester.

In February, 13 female students filed a complaint with the university, alleging that Mr. Ordover had kissed them without their consent, invited them to his home, and called them at their homes.

The faculty panel that investigated the complaints decided that Mr. Ordover had not engaged in sexual harassment. But he was reprimanded by the law-school dean for creating an environment that the panel said some students found to be intimidating. As part of the reprimand, Mr. Ordover was asked to seek counseling and not to touch students or extend social invitations to them.

Shortly after the panel’s findings, four new complaints were filed with the university against Mr. Ordover. Meanwhile, a report by a university panel that is examining Emory’s policy for handling sexual-harassment complaints is expected this week.