In the case of Massey v. Akron City Bd. of Edn., three students filed separate lawsuits alleging that the school board violated their civil rights when the school board allegedly adopted customs and practices that allowed one of its school employees to engage in misconduct with all three students that resulted in the employee being convicted for sexual abuse and harassment. Matthew John Markling represented the school board, and successfully obtained a jury verdict in favor of the school board in all three consolidated jury trials.