University of Michigan Seeks Dismissal of Paige Shiver Lawsuit Over Wrong Court Filing

The University of Michigan filed a motion in Washtenaw County Circuit Court asking a judge to dismiss a public records lawsuit brought by Paige Shiver, a former executive assistant to former football coach Sherrone Moore. According to court filings highlighted by AOL, Shiver alleges the institution withheld records concerning the internal investigation into Moore and broader athletic department culture.

The Bottom Line:

• Legal Strategy: University of Michigan attorneys argue that Shiver filed her public records lawsuit in the incorrect court.
• Core Dispute: The litigation centers on withheld documents regarding an $11 million investigation into athletic department conduct and communications between former coach Sherrone Moore and Athletic Director Warde Manuel.
• Underlying Context: The university dismissed Moore in December following the disclosure of a four-year relationship with Shiver, which subsequently led to criminal trespass and telecommunications charges.

Jurisdictional Arguments and Court Filings

Attorneys representing the University of Michigan filed a formal motion on Wednesday to toss out the active litigation brought by Paige Shiver, according to online court records cited by AOL. The university’s legal defense centers primarily on procedure. University counsel argues that Shiver initiated her lawsuit in the wrong venue by filing in the Washtenaw County Circuit Court.

The underlying dispute stems from public records requests submitted by Shiver following her professional fallout with the athletic department. Shiver served as the executive assistant to former head football coach Sherrone Moore before the institution terminated Moore’s employment in December due to their four-year personal relationship.

Disputed Documents and the Jenner & Block Investigation

At the heart of the litigation is a series of denied records requests. According to AOL’s coverage of the court filings, Shiver is seeking documentation related to the more than $11 million independent investigation conducted by the law firm Jenner & Block into the culture of the university’s athletic department.

Specifically, Shiver’s legal team points to denied requests for transcripts, notes, and recordings of her own interview with Jenner & Block investigators. Furthermore, the lawsuit targets the university’s refusal to release emails exchanged between Moore and Athletic Director Warde Manuel that contained specific search terms, including “affair, discipline, pregnancy, baby and abortion,” alongside Moore’s complete investigatory file.

Summary of Disputed Records in Shiver v. University of Michigan

Record Category	Requested Content	University Response
Investigation Files	Jenner & Block transcripts, notes, and interview recordings	Withheld / Denied
Executive Communications	Emails between Sherrone Moore and Warde Manuel containing targeted keywords	Withheld / Denied
Personnel Records	Complete investigatory file concerning Moore	Claimed records did not exist

Institutional Fallout and Legal Precedents

The university previously responded to Shiver’s initial demands by stating that certain requested documents simply did not exist. This prompted the current legal challenge in Washtenaw County.

The controversy traces back to December, when university officials terminated Moore. The separation followed revelations regarding his relationship with Shiver. Following his dismissal, Moore entered Shiver’s home uninvited and threatened her and himself with kitchen knives. In April, Moore pleaded no contest to charges of trespassing and the malicious use of a telecommunications device, resulting in a sentence of 18 months of probation.

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