Civil Rights Litigation
We advocate for victims of civil rights abuses, confronting systemic injustice and discrimination to protect fundamental freedoms.
700%
U.S. prison population growth from 1972-2009, far outpacing crime rates and population growth.
1
Nazgol Ghandnoosh, “U.S. Prison Population
Trends 1997-2017: Massive Buildup and
Modest Decline,” The Sentencing Project
(Sep. 17, 2019).
Trends 1997-2017: Massive Buildup and
Modest Decline,” The Sentencing Project
(Sep. 17, 2019).
$182B
The U.S. spent an estimated $182 billion on its criminal justice system in 2023, reflecting costs beyond
incarceration.
2
Prison Policy Initiative, “United States
Profile,” Prison Policy Initiative (2024).
Profile,” Prison Policy Initiative (2024).
2.7M
Approximately 2.7 million U.S. children have at least one parent in prison, disproportionately affecting children of
color.
3
Dionne Barnes-Proby, Celia J. Gomez,
Monica Williams, Matt Strawn, Isabel
Leamon, “Programs for Incarcerated
Parents: Preliminary Findings from a
Pilot Survey,” RAND Corporation
(Feb. 8, 2022).
Monica Williams, Matt Strawn, Isabel
Leamon, “Programs for Incarcerated
Parents: Preliminary Findings from a
Pilot Survey,” RAND Corporation
(Feb. 8, 2022).
21,000+
In 2017, Massachusetts dismissed 21,587 drug convictions due to a state chemist’s falsification of evidence, exposing systemic criminal justice corruption.
4
ACLU of Massachusetts, “Bridgeman
v. District Attorney for Suffolk County,”
(April 19, 2017).
v. District Attorney for Suffolk County,”
(April 19, 2017).
The U.S. makes up 5% of the global population but holds nearly 25% of the world’s incarcerated.
5
NAACP, “Criminal Justice Fact Sheet,” (2024).
In the U.S., justice often intersects with wealth and racial bias, leading to widespread civil rights abuses. Systemic discrimination continues to result in unequal treatment, especially for Black and Brown people.
Mass incarceration does not make us safer or deliver true justice. Its consequences are stark: nearly 10 million Americans, including millions of children, have a family member incarcerated. Additionally, over 5 million people are disenfranchised due to past convictions. This system also impacts our economy, with an annual GDP loss estimated between $78 and $87 billion.
Our firm advocates for justice and compensation for victims of civil rights abuses.
Overview
The U.S. continues to confront its history of oppression with racial disparities in areas such as education, employment, housing, and justice. Mass incarceration and unequal sentencing remain prevalent. Our firm helps individuals seek justice and compensation for these injustices.
The prison-industrial complex profits from incarceration, paying inmates as little as $0.12 an hour.
6
Wendy Sawyer, “How much
do
incarcerated people earn in each
state?” Prison Policy Initiative
(April 10, 2017).
incarcerated people earn in each
state?” Prison Policy Initiative
(April 10, 2017).
Justice for Wrongful Convictions
The revelations surrounding the malpractices of state chemists, Sonja Farak and Annie Dookhan, as detailed in the Netflix documentary How to Fix a Drug Scandal, have profoundly shaken the Massachusetts justice system. The misconduct of these individuals, ranging from drug theft and use to falsifying thousands of test results, brought into question the integrity of over 40,000 drug cases. Such a significant breach highlights not just the actions of two individuals but exposes serious systemic failures at the state level. Those wrongfully convicted are entitled to seek legal remedies, including possible compensation.
From 1980 to 2022, the number of incarcerated women in the U.S. increased by more than 585%.
7
Kristen M. Budd, Ph.D., “Incarcerated
Women and Girls,” The Sentencing
Project (July 24, 2024).
Women and Girls,” The Sentencing
Project (July 24, 2024).
Your Civil Rights
The United States is recognized globally for its strong commitment to civil rights, yet violations remain alarmingly common.
U.S. residents are entitled to:
- Freedom from discrimination if you are a member of a protected class.
- Freedom of speech, religion, and assembly.
- The right to procedural due process.
- The right to petition the government.
Examples of civil rights violations include workplace discrimination, wrongful termination, and retaliation against whistleblowers. Other violations involve disability rights infractions, sexual harassment or assault, police brutality, excessive force, and unlawful searches or seizures. Additionally, violations can encompass cruel and unusual punishment, housing discrimination, retaliatory evictions, labor rights violations, hate crimes, human trafficking, educational discrimination, and consumer rights violations.
From 1989 to 2020, 375 people were exonerated in the U.S. based on DNA evidence, with 69% of exonerees being people of color, highlighting systemic issues like eyewitness misidentification, false confessions, and forensic science errors.
8
Innocence Project, “DNA Exonerations
in the United States (1989 – 2020),”
(accessed September 2024).
in the United States (1989 – 2020),”
(accessed September 2024).
“Slavery didn’t end in 1865. It just evolved.” – Bryan Stevenson
9
Liz Mineo, “The need to talk about race,”
The Harvard Gazette (Dec. 7, 2017).
The Harvard Gazette (Dec. 7, 2017).
Lawyers' Role
We represent clients in both civil and criminal trials:
- Discrimination and Harassment: Handle employment discrimination, sexual harassment, and workplace retaliation cases, working to secure fair compensation.
- Police Brutality and Misconduct: Represent victims of unlawful force and other violations by law enforcement, including excessive force, racial profiling, and unlawful searches.
- Unlawful Arrests: Defend clients detained or arrested without probable cause or legal justification.
- Wrongful Termination: Help secure settlements for clients whose terminations violate anti-discrimination laws or retaliation protections.
- Settlement and Trial: Seek fair settlements and prepare to take cases to trial when necessary to promote accountability.
How We Can Help
Defending Civil Rights
- Uphold the Eighth Amendment by challenging unjust incarceration and advocating for fair justice system reforms.
- Provide legal representation for individuals whose civil rights have been compromised by government actions.
Advancing Workplace Equality
- Fight against workplace discrimination and enforce Title VII protections through litigation.
- Secure equitable remedies for clients affected by workplace inequality and discrimination.
Pursuing Justice for Hate Crimes
- Investigate and prosecute bias-driven violence under the Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
- Support hate crime victims and their families in obtaining justice and restitution.
Dismantling Discrimination
- Challenge discriminatory laws and support litigation that confronts racial profiling and systemic bias.
- Represent clients in civil rights cases to foster equality in public and private sectors.
Upholding Labor Standards
- Represent workers in disputes involving labor law violations like wage theft.
- Advocate for equal pay and fair working conditions across all demographics.
Holding Authorities Accountable
- Hold law enforcement accountable for misuse of power and work towards transparency in governance.
- Challenge corporations and government agencies that neglect the public interest.
Trafficking & Assault Justice
- Investigate and build strong cases against human trafficking and assault.
- Provide legal assistance, including civil suits, protective orders, and compensation for survivors.
Justice for Sexual Assault Survivors
- Provide compassionate legal support for sexual assault survivors, seeking full compensation for all harms.
- Hold institutions accountable for failing to protect against assault, pursuing legal remedies for their failures.
Protecting Against Digital Discrimination
- Identify and address biases in automated decision-making systems.
- Advocate for victims of unlawful surveillance and tech-driven privacy violations.
Public Interest and Pro Bono
- Support First Amendment, housing, and other public interest causes through strategic litigation.
- Advocate for underserved communities and protect fundamental rights against unfair practices.
