Content note: This episode discusses sexual assault, including details from the allegations in the lawsuit. Please listen with care, and consider skipping this one if kids are listening.

In September 2026, a former Cornell student filed a civil lawsuit in New York. She says she was plied with alcohol and drugs and sexually assaulted by multiple students at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024. Cornell ran a Title IX process, and no criminal charges were filed. After the civil lawsuit was filed, this story exploded. The district attorney reopened the investigation and the governor appointed a special prosecutor.

Vern and Jennifer Ready don't try to decide the facts. That's a jury's job. Instead, they explain how the civil justice system can reach places the criminal system often doesn't.

In this episode:

• Why the lawsuit names Cornell, the fraternity, the sorority, their national organizations, and a bar, not just the alleged offenders
• Duty and reasonableness: who was responsible for keeping students safe
• What Cornell knew before 2024, according to the complaint
• Why the timing of her messages and her report doesn't mean what public opinion says it does
• New York's voluntary intoxication exception to sexual assault, and why Vern calls it broken
• Dram shop laws: when a bar can be responsible for over-serving
• Breach of contract claims against a university
• Dividing fault among defendants, and Colorado's 50/50 rule
• Compensatory vs. punitive damages
• How long a case like this could take, appeals included

The allegations discussed in this episode haven't been proven. Everyone named is presumed innocent of any crime.

Learn more about the case:

• The New York Times: Cornell's sexual assault case (Sept. 30, 2026)
• CornellSeven.com (an independent case archive not affiliated with Ready Law or the parties)

If you need support: RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-656-4673.

About Ready Law Ready Law is a personal injury firm in Centennial, Colorado, serving the Denver metro area and all of Colorado. If you or someone you love has been hurt, call us for a free consultation.

📞 (303) 339-8846 🌐 ready-law.com ✉️ getready@ready-law.com 📍 9200 E. Mineral Ave., Suite 100, Centennial, CO 80112

This podcast is for general information only and isn't legal advice. Listening doesn't create an attorney-client relationship.

Get Ready.