MICHIGAN University hires new legal team in abuse probe

ANN ARBOR, Mich.— The University of Michigan has hired a new law firm to lead the investigation into allegations that a doctor, now deceased, molested hundreds of people.

Meanwhile, attorneys for some of the men accusing the late Dr. Robert Anderson of sexual abuse say they are continuing to communicate with current and prospective clients in regards to their in and outofcourt disputes with the university.

The school said Tuesday that WilmerHale has replaced Steptoe & Johnson, which it cut ties with two weeks ago after learning some of the firm’s attorneys represented highprofile clients accused of sexual misconduct.

WilmerHale is also handling Michigan’s investigation into sexual misconduct allegations made against Martin Philbert. He lost his job as chief academic officer, but is still on the school’s payroll as a faculty member with tenure protection while the investigation continues.

“The university is fully committed to allowing WilmerHale to conduct vigorous and independent investigations in both matters,” regent Denise Ilitch said in the school’s statement. “The engagement letter with WilmerHale specifies that the firm will ‘issue a nonprivileged report’ at the conclusion of the investigations.”

The university announced more than a month ago that it was investigating allegations of abuse against Anderson, and it offered counseling to anyone affected by the alleged misconduct.

WilmerHale will conduct its investigations with attorneyclient privilege to protect the confidentiality of all sexual misconduct survivors and witnesses, the school said.

That stance did not sit well with attorneys for Anderson’s accusers, who want the school to accept state Attorney General Dana Nessel’s offer to investigate the matter. She said her office will only do so, though, if the school waives all privilege and hands over any document or information requested.

“The only attorneyclient privilege which exists is between the University of Michigan and the law firm they hired, WilmerHale,” said Denverbased attorney Parker Stinar, who is trying to reach an outofcourt resolution with the school on behalf of more than 70 clients. “Once again, the University of Michigan is denying students, alumni and the public transparency.”

Numerous men have come forward publicly and anonymously as John Does in lawsuits to allege that Anderson molested them during medical exams.

Carlos Osorio / Associated Press Tad Deluca, a University of Michigan wrestler from the 1970s (left), says his complaints led to an investigation of sexabuse allegations into a doctor linked to the school.