CLARKESVILLE – Piedmont College in Demorest faces a legal challenge from a former tenured professor for alleged damages concerning breach of contract and breach of implied duty of good faith and fair dealing.
Attorney Julie J. Oinonen of Williams Oinonen LLC of Atlanta electronically filed the lawsuit in Habersham County Superior Court Monday on behalf of plaintiff Dr. Robert H. Wainberg.
Wainberg served Piedmont College for 30 years, and he was granted tenure and also promoted to associate professor for the academic year 1993-1994.
According to the lawsuit, Wainberg learned from colleagues near the end of April he would not receive a contract for the upcoming academic year.
Piedmont College is contractually obligated to provide due process through a fair hearing before terminating a tenured professor, pursuant to the contract and university policies set forth in the faculty handbook, and that Wainberg received neither proper written notice of termination nor a fair hearing, the lawsuit asserts.
“This action is brought seeking damages pursuant to the laws of the State of Georgia for breach of contract and violation of the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing,” according to the e-filing of the case from 5:44 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20. “It also seeks an award of punitive damages and attorney fees.”
Contacted through his attorney, Wainberg offered a written statement to AccessWDUN on the lawsuit against his long-time employer.
"To have an institution of higher learning like Piedmont College treat a devoted teacher/mentor and advocate for student rights who has dedicated 30 years to passing on the torch of knowledge to so many students in such an unconscionable manner is a punishable offense that must be addressed to ensure that it will never be repeated again," Wainberg said in the statement to AccessWDUN.
AccessWDUN reached out to the college for a response.
"Piedmont College will not comment on pending litigation," said Director of Marketing and Communication John Roberts in a statement.
To read the full content of the lawsuit, follow this link.
