DETROIT (April 10, 2025) – Buckfire Law, a Michigan-based personal injury law firm, announced today it has filed a mass lawsuit on behalf of multiple female students against former University of Michigan football coach Matthew Weiss, the University of Michigan, the Regents of the University of Michigan, and Keffer Development Services, LLC.
The suit stems from the illegal access and exploitation of the students’ personal information.
Federal prosecutors recently charged Weiss with unlawfully accessing the social media and computer accounts of more than 3,300 individuals. He is accused of specifically targeting female students in an attempt to obtain intimate photos and videos without their knowledge or consent.
“This case is a shocking breach of trust,” Buckfire Law trial attorney Robert J. Lantzy said. “These students and student athletes joined their university to learn and compete, not to have their most private information exploited for years.”
According to court records, Weiss allegedly hacked into databases managed by Keffer Development Services, downloading personally identifiable and medical information of over 150,000 athletes across more than 100 colleges and universities. He then gained access to social media, email, and cloud storage accounts of more than 1,300 students nationwide.
The plaintiffs are represented by Lantzy and attorney Sarah L. Gorski.
“The institution failed to protect them, and an employee was allowed to violate their fundamental right to privacy,” Lantzy said. “That is inexcusable.”
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the lawsuit brings claims under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, the Stored Communications Act, and Title IX. It also alleges violations of civil rights, negligent hiring and supervision, invasion of privacy, gross negligence, trespass to chattels, and multiple violations of Michigan law, including assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and the Michigan Identity Theft Protection Act.
“Mass action claims, like the one we filed, are appropriate when the damages to each of the victims is unique,” Lantzy said. “Class actions are really only appropriate when you can establish the damages are exactly the same – that’s why we filed as a mass action claim.”
Buckfire Law is actively investigating additional claims involving students whose personal information may have been illegally accessed by Weiss. If you are a current or former student and believe your private information or intimate photos were accessed without your consent, you may be eligible to join this developing mass lawsuit. Please contact Buckfire Law and complete an online form for assistance.
Buckfire Law: Michigan Personal Injury Law Firm
Buckfire Law is a top-rated Michigan personal injury and accident law firm that has been fighting for clients since 1969. Based in Southfield, the firm has a strong record in complex litigation, including class actions and high-profile cases involving sexual abuse and institutional misconduct.
Buckfire Law has represented survivors in the Larry Nassar, Robert Anderson and Richard Strauss cases. Known for compassionate, effective advocacy, the firm is dedicated to securing justice for those harmed by negligence or abuse.