The University of Arkansas abruptly withdrew its offer to law professor Emily Suski after Republican state lawmakers raised objections to her signing of an amicus brief supporting transgender athletes. The university said “key external stakeholders” had expressed concerns; Suski said the decision reflected outside influence rather than her qualifications. The episode follows a string of state-level interventions in campus hiring decisions and signals heightened political scrutiny of faculty speech and legal advocacy. An amicus brief is a written submission by non‑parties to a case offering expertise or arguments to assist the court; Suski joined other academics in backing litigation challenging bans on transgender participation in sports.