Stanford University and Graduate School of Business Dean Garth Saloner are challenging a lawsuit brought in April 2014 by James Phills.

This case is the unfortunate outgrowth of a lengthy and contentious divorce proceeding involving Dr. Phills and his estranged wife, a member of the faculty. Dr. Phills’ lawsuit falsely claims that he was a victim of discriminatory treatment at Stanford.

Dr. Phills first came to Stanford in 2000 when his wife was appointed a tenured member of the Graduate School of Business faculty. In 2003 he became a faculty member in a non- tenured position. The couple separated in 2012 and has been engaged in ongoing divorce litigation.

Several months after the couple’s separation, Dr. Phills’ estranged wife and Dean Saloner, who was widowed, began a relationship. The dean informed Stanford leadership at the very beginning of the relationship, and others in the university took responsibility for final decision-making about matters involving Dr. Phills and his wife. At all times Dr. Phills was treated fairly and equitably. Dr. Phills’ teaching position at Stanford was terminated in 2015 when he failed to return to his university employment after the university had granted him multiple leaves of absence for lucrative opportunities in Silicon Valley, including leaves to work at Apple, Inc., beyond what is normally allowed under university policy. Dr. Phills ultimately chose to continue his more lucrative employment at Apple.

Dean Saloner announced on September 14, 2015, that he would be leaving his position as dean at the conclusion of the 2015-16 academic year, citing the ongoing and intrusive nature of the case and his desire to prevent it from becoming a distraction to the mission of the Graduate School of Business. He will then be resuming his teaching and research duties as a professor at the Graduate School of Business.

Under Dean Saloner’s leadership, the school continues to perform at exceptionally high levels, drawing extraordinary faculty from around the globe, generating excellent support from its alumni, and providing an unparalleled academic experience for its students.