The questions we hear first

Claims that a government body or a public institution violated your rights: police force and false arrest, discrimination by schools and agencies, disability access, and the treatment of people in custody. We do not take criminal defense, divorce, injury cases or employment disputes with private companies.

A criminal defense lawyer first. We handle the civil claim, which can often wait for the criminal case, though not always. We will talk with your defense lawyer about timing so neither case hurts the other.

It depends on the claim, the place and who you are suing, and some deadlines are short, with notice rules that begin to run from the day it happened. Do not wait to ask. A call costs nothing and can save a claim.

We explain fees before you sign anything. Many civil rights cases are handled on contingency: no fee unless there is a recovery. Case costs, such as filing fees, records and experts, are separate, and the agreement says whether you may owe them if the case does not succeed.

Often, yes. The law has hurdles, including immunity defenses, that do not apply to most lawsuits. We tell you at the start which ones your case may face.

Some do, and we try cases. Many end earlier, by agreement or by a ruling. We do not promise either result, and we do not recommend a trial for its own sake.

Whatever you have: reports, letters, photos, medical records, names, dates. If you have nothing but your own account, that is a fine place to start. Write a timeline while it is fresh.

We read every letter. Send the facts, grievance numbers and dates, and tell us whether you have a court date. We cannot take every case, and we will say why if we cannot.

What you tell a lawyer in order to hire one is protected, but the protection is clearest once we have agreed to work together. Until then, please keep the first message short and leave out confidential details.