Morvillo Abramowitz Selected for Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award

September 12, 2025

Morvillo Abramowitz has been selected to receive a 2025 Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award from the Chinese American Legal Defense Alliance (CALDA) for its pro bono representation of Dr. Franklin Tao—a renowned researcher and academic in the field of chemistry and chemical engineering—in a civil lawsuit against the University of Kansas for civil rights violations.  Dr. Tao was a tenured faculty member at the University when it evidently worked with the federal government, in secret, to arrest and prosecute him under the so-called “China Initiative.”  Despite having all criminal charges ultimately dropped or dismissed by the courts, and notwithstanding Dr. Tao’s undisputed academic record of incredible productivity, prolific writings, and cutting-edge research, the University of Kansas refused to reinstate his position. 

The civil lawsuit seeks to hold the University of Kansas accountable for violating Dr. Tao’s rights as a tenured faculty member, including its termination of Dr. Tao before the conclusion of the criminal proceedings, without due process or review by the faculty rights board.  The lawsuit also sheds light on the University’s active role in the criminal prosecution, its apparent secret surveillance activities and provision of false information and statements to the authorities, and its evident discrimination against Dr. Tao based on his race, ethnicity, and national origin.

A copy of Dr. Tao’s civil lawsuit complaint can be found here.  The case is ongoing and pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas. 

A copy of CALDA’s announcement of the 2025 Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award can be found here.

The Morvillo Abramowitz team includes partners Karen R. King and Catherine M.  Foti, and associates Elena Syman and Jordan L. Weatherwax.