Cancellation, Defamation, Bankruptcy, Discharge
Eugene Volokh | 10.29.2026 8:01 AM From Judge Paula Xinis (D. Md.) yesterday in Shuma v. Whibley: Shuma sued Whibley for defamation in Pennsylvania state court. After settlement negotiations broke down, Whibley declined to defend the case, and default judgment was entered against her. The state court next concluded that Shuma was entitled to no damages, but upon Shuma's urging, scheduled a damages trial for October 31, 2023. Bankruptcy Judge Lori Simpson ruled in Whibley's favor, and the district court affirmed: It's not clear to me exactly what "protect the student body from Shuma's opprobrium" means, but here are the passages of the bankruptcy judge's opinion that the court cites there: The phrase racially charged in one sense appears to be a code word for racist. That said, it is nebulous to the point of meaningless and appears to reflect the sensitivities and suspicions of the…