FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lexington, Kentucky – July 2025 – Chicago personal injury attorneys Peter Flowers, Jonathan Mincieli, and Lauren Edmunds of Meyers & Flowers and Mark Bryant, David Bryant, and Emily Roark of Bryant Law Center have filed a lawsuit on behalf of a young woman, Rebecca Hendryx, who was sexually assaulted by Maxwell Hairston, a then-University of Kentucky football player, in 2021. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, the lawsuit outlines serious allegations of non-consensual sexual contact that occurred in Hendryx’s on-campus dormitory.
Hendryx first met Hairston in early 2021 outside their shared on-campus residence hall at the University of Kentucky. Later that same day, at Hairston’s request, Hendryx visited his dorm room. During the interaction, she became uncomfortable when he attempted to isolate her in his bedroom, and she promptly left. That evening, Hairston contacted her via Snapchat, requesting to meet up to engage in sexual activity. She declined. After that exchange, there was no further contact between them until the night of the alleged assault.
According to the lawsuit, Hairston came to Hendryx’s dorm room uninvited late in the evening in March of 2021. Despite being told she was tired and uninterested in spending time together; he entered her room without permission. Once inside, he followed her into her bedroom and ignored her repeated refusals to engage in sexual contact. Hairston then forcibly removed Hendryx’s clothing and sexually assaulted her.
Shocked and distressed, Hendryx reported the incident to law enforcement within hours of the sexual assault.
“Our client showed remarkable strength in coming forward, and we are proud to stand with her in pursuit of accountability and justice,” said Peter Flowers, founding partner at Meyers & Flowers. “No one—regardless of their status or athletic success—is above the law.”
As a result of the trauma she experienced, Hendryx ultimately transferred out of the University of Kentucky. The impact of the assault followed her after leaving the University and still continues to disrupt her life on a daily basis, including her, emotional well-being and long-term professional goals.
The civil lawsuit brings claims of sexual assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress and seeks both compensatory and punitive damages for the harm our client has endured.
“A young woman made her boundaries clear, and the Defendant made the choice to ignore them,” said Mark Bryant, founder of Bryant Law Center. “We are here to ensure her voice is heard and that accountability is delivered.”
Attorney Lauren Edmunds of Meyers & Flowers added, “This case is not just about one night — it’s about sending a message that sexual assault will not be tolerated—on college campuses, in sports, or anywhere else.”
Attorneys for the victim encourage anyone who has experienced similar conduct or who has information related to the case to come forward and seek support.
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About Meyers & Flowers
Led by Illinois Top 100 Super Lawyer and former President of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Peter J. Flowers, the Meyers & Flowers’ team of experienced trial attorneys routinely take on large challenges and succeed. For more than two decades, the firm has represented clients both locally in Chicago and nationally in a full spectrum of cases involving catastrophic personal injuries, sexual abuse, medical malpractice, product liability and corporate litigation.
P: 630-576-9696 | www.Meyers-Flowers.com
About Bryant Law Center
Led by nationally recognized trial attorney Mark Bryant, Bryant Law Center is a powerhouse litigation firm known for its results in both complex criminal and civil cases. With a team of experienced and compassionate attorneys, the firm represents clients across the country in a broad range of high stakes matters, including sexual abuse, wrongful death, product liability, mass torts, class actions, catastrophic injury, and more. For over three decades the Bryant Law Center has been securing substantial verdicts and settlements while maintaining a client-centered, trauma-informed approach to advocacy. Recognized by Best Lawyers and U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best Law Firms in America, the firm brings exceptional trial experience, strategic depth, and unwavering commitment to every case.
P: 270-550-1230 | www.Bryantpsc.com
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