Story Archive

She Found a Lawyer to Take This Case?

Megan Thode of Nazareth, Pa., got a C+ in her 2009 “fieldwork” class, but says she needed a B to move on to the next one. Rather than work to improve her grade, says Lehigh University’s attorney, Thode instead “lawyered up” — she sued the university, alleging breach of contract and discrimination, saying that the mark “scuttled her dream” of being a licensed professional counselor. The university says Thode got a zero in class participation after swearing in class, and having an “outburst” and crying — “unprofessional behavior” for a therapist. Thode is the daughter of a finance professor at the school, and not only thus attended the university tuition-free, but was also paid by the university for jobs they found for her. Thode, 27, graduated with a Master’s degree in Human Development, and had to settle for being a drug and alcohol counselor. Her attorney, Richard J. Orloski, asked for $1.3 million in damages, saying that was the lifetime salary difference between the job she wanted and the one she got. Northampton County Judge Emil Giordano threw the case out. Thode is considering an appeal. (RC/Allentown Morning Call) ...Wouldn’t it just be easier to retake the class?