Glassman, Wyatt, Tuttle & Cox, P.C. Attorney William Terrell’s Note, Pledging to Stay Viable: Why Fraternities and Sororities Should Adopt Arbitration as a Response to the Litigation Dilemma has been selected for presentation on July 22, 2015 at the National Bar Association’s 90th Annual Convention July 19-23, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.  The Note has been published by the University of Memphis Law Review, and can be found at 43 U. Mem. L. Rev. 511.

Over the last three decades, national fraternities and sororities have seen a substantial increase in litigation resulting from injuries, some fatal, suffered by pledges. This proliferation of litigation has directly coincided with the increase in popularity of fraternities and sororities since the 1980s.  Accordingly, Greek-letter organizations have responded with a myriad of solutions to combat the escalating problem of hazing. Despite the best efforts of these organizations, the number of cases and successful plaintiff verdicts continue to rise.  To further complicate matters, courts tend to be scattered in determining what standards to apply in hazing cases. Mr. Terrell’s Note argues that fraternities and sororities need to use arbitration as an alternative to litigation in order to maintain their viability on college campuses across the nation.  This Note also argues for fraternities and sororities to consider a bill of rights for potential members that would ensure their rights are protected throughout this process.

William Terrell, as an Associate in the Firm, regularly handles trial litigation for his clients, including Legal Malpractice Defense, Premise Liability Defense, General Insurance Defense, Commercial and Business Litigation, Medical Malpractice, Transportation Litigation and Minor Settlements.