Counsel Claimed NSJP Lacks Funds for Discovery
An attorney for the group cited a lack of financial resources to meet court-mandated discovery obligations.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Law
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The National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) has informed a federal judge that it lacks the financial resources to proceed with standard discovery in an ongoing lawsuit. Attorney Jonathan Wallace reported the group has no endowment or savings to fund legal obligations.
Why it matters
The development could significantly impact the progress of a high-profile lawsuit concerning alleged antisemitism and campus assaults. The claim of insolvency highlights the practical barriers facing smaller organizations when navigating complex federal litigation.
The NSJP has faced seven legal actions in total. The group currently lacks any savings or endowment to manage the costs of federal discovery.
The players
Jonathan Wallace
He is the attorney representing the National Students for Justice in Palestine in federal court proceedings.
A. Joel Richlin
He is the federal judge presiding over the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
National Students for Justice in Palestine
This is the student organization currently facing a lawsuit regarding activities at a campus encampment.
The details
Attorney Jonathan Wallace filed a letter with Judge A. Joel Richlin requesting a reduction in subpoenas and search terms, citing his own inexperience with federal discovery and the organization's poverty. The lawsuit, filed in April 2025, involves allegations by plaintiffs Weinberg, Gurevich, Hoftman, and Tsives regarding events at a UCLA encampment.
Timeline
April 25, 2024 to May 2, 2024: The period during which alleged assaults and incidents occurred at the UCLA encampment.
April 2025: The month plaintiffs filed the lawsuit against NSJP, the Faculty for Justice in Palestine Network, and WESPAC Foundation.
September 19, 2026: Jonathan Wallace informed the judge that the organization is effectively broke.
Political Context
Opposing parties may argue that financial status is not a valid legal basis to bypass the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure discovery requirements. Advocacy groups often push back against such motions, asserting that discovery is essential to uncovering evidence regarding alleged campus safety violations.
The potential limit on discovery could delay court findings regarding the safety of students at the UCLA campus. Residents should note that the litigation remains active in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
The takeaway
Legal disputes involving student organizations often highlight the tension between large-scale federal litigation costs and the limited budgets of grassroots groups. Parties involved in such lawsuits may find the discovery phase to be a lengthy and resource-intensive process.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings in the area, visit the Law section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Jewish News Syndicate.
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