What civil rights protections exist under Massachusetts law?

Massachusetts law prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, education, credit, and public accommodations under M.G.L. c. 151B and related statutes. Protected characteristics include race, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, and age. These protections generally mirror or exceed federal civil rights laws such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

How do I know if I have a discrimination claim?

You may have a claim if an employer, landlord, or government actor takes adverse action against you due to a protected characteristic. A valid claim typically requires that you were qualified for the benefit (job, housing, etc.), subjected to adverse treatment, and that the reason was discriminatory. Because filing deadlines are short—typically 300 days for employment claims with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) or the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)—timely legal consultation is recommended.

Can I file a civil rights complaint in Massachusetts?

Yes. Employment, housing, and public accommodation discrimination claims may be filed with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) or the EEOC. For constitutional violations (e.g., unlawful arrest or excessive force), lawsuits may be brought in court under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Filing deadlines vary, with 300 days being common for MCAD and EEOC complaints.

What remedies are available for civil rights violations?

Remedies may include back pay, emotional distress damages, reinstatement, attorney’s fees, injunctive relief, and sometimes punitive damages. The availability of these remedies depends on the applicable law and the severity of the misconduct. M.G.L. c. 151B allows compensatory and punitive damages for egregious conduct.

Top Civil Rights Attorney in Boston, MA

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.

$182B

The U.S. spent an estimated $182 billion on its criminal justice system in 2023, reflecting costs beyond incarceration.

2.7M

Approximately 2.7 million U.S. children have at least one parent in prison, disproportionately affecting children of color.

21,000+

In 2017, Massachusetts dismissed 21,587 drug convictions due to a state chemist’s falsification of evidence, exposing systemic criminal justice corruption.

The U.S. makes up 5% of the global population but holds nearly 25% of the world’s incarcerated.

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, particularly for Black, Brown, and other marginalized communities.

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 United States, a beacon of democracy rooted in principles of justice, freedom, and equality, continues to grapple with its history of oppression. Persistent racial disparities in education, employment, housing, and justice, coupled with mass incarceration and unequal sentencing, remain prevalent. Our firm helps those affected seek justice and compensation.

The prison-industrial complex profits from incarceration, paying inmates as little as $0.12 an hour.

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%.

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:

Protection from discrimination as a member of a protected class under laws such as Title VII, the ADA, and the Fair Housing Act.
The freedoms of speech, religion, and assembly under the First Amendment.
Procedural due process under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments.
The right to petition the government for grievances.

Civil rights violations may include workplace discrimination, wrongful termination, or retaliation against whistleblowers under statutes like the False Claims Act. Other examples include disability rights violations, sexual harassment or assault, police misconduct, excessive force, unlawful searches or seizures, cruel and unusual punishment, housing discrimination, retaliatory evictions, labor law violations, hate crimes, human trafficking, and inequities in education or public accommodations.

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.

“Slavery didn’t end in 1865. It just evolved.” – Bryan Stevenson

Lawyers' Role

We offer representation in both civil and criminal trials:

Discrimination and Harassment: Address employment discrimination, sexual harassment, and workplace retaliation cases, seeking fair compensation.
Police Misconduct: Provide legal support in cases involving excessive force, racial profiling, unlawful searches, and other civil rights violations by law enforcement.
Unlawful Arrests: Challenge detentions or arrests made without probable cause or legal justification.
Wrongful Termination: Pursue remedies for terminations that violate anti-discrimination or retaliation laws.
Settlement and Trial: Work toward fair settlements and prepare cases for trial to promote accountability.

How We Can Help

Challenge Systemic Civil Rights Violations and Wrongful Convictions

Advocate for individuals subjected to wrongful incarceration, excessive sentencing, or prosecutorial misconduct. Pursue post-conviction relief, compensation claims, and systemic litigation against government entities responsible for unjust imprisonment.

Combat Workplace Discrimination and Retaliation

Litigate cases of racial, gender, disability, or religious discrimination under Title VII, ADA, and Massachusetts employment laws. Represent workers in retaliation cases, especially those involving whistleblower claims under the False Claims Act, Sarbanes-Oxley, and Dodd-Frank.

Hold Corporations Accountable for Algorithmic and AI-Based Discrimination

Pursue claims related to bias in automated hiring systems, credit scoring, facial recognition, and algorithmic policing. Challenge discriminatory impacts under Title VII, the Fair Housing Act, and consumer protection laws.

Protect Individuals from Unlawful Surveillance and Digital Privacy Violations

Litigate cases involving illegal government surveillance, biometric data misuse, and workplace monitoring practices that violate privacy rights under the Fourth Amendment, CCPA, and emerging state and federal privacy laws.

Confront Police Misconduct and Abuses of Authority

Represent victims of unlawful arrests, excessive force, racial profiling, and wrongful shootings. File claims under Section 1983 and other federal and state laws against law enforcement agencies and municipalities.

Seek Justice for Victims of Hate Crimes and Targeted Violence

Represent individuals harmed by bias-motivated attacks and threats under state and federal hate crime laws, advocating for civil remedies and criminal enforcement.

Hold Institutions Accountable for Sexual Abuse and Human Trafficking

Represent survivors of institutional sexual abuse, workplace harassment, and trafficking-related exploitation. Pursue claims against corporations, religious institutions, and government entities under state and federal law.

Fight for Reproductive Justice and Healthcare Access

Challenge restrictions on reproductive rights and medical discrimination under state and federal constitutional protections, ERISA, and the Affordable Care Act. Represent individuals denied essential medical services due to religious exemptions or bias.

Pursue Legal Action Against Public and Private Entities for Environmental Racism

Represent communities disproportionately impacted by pollution, hazardous waste, and toxic exposure in environmental justice cases under state and federal laws, including CERCLA, the Clean Air Act, and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

Address Housing Discrimination and Algorithmic Redlining

Challenge discriminatory lending practices, landlord bias, and inequitable access to housing exacerbated by AI-driven tenant screening and credit scoring. Litigate cases under the Fair Housing Act and Massachusetts consumer protection laws.

Protect Public Protesters and Free Speech Advocates

Litigate First Amendment cases involving unlawful arrests, excessive force at demonstrations, and retaliatory legal actions against activists, journalists, and whistleblowers.

Advocate for Disability Rights and Public Accommodation Protections

Pursue legal action against businesses, schools, and government entities that fail to provide reasonable accommodations under the ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Massachusetts state laws.