“I was hopeless, exhausted and on the verge of giving up . . . . [but] clearly you changed my life when you got the results from ending the nightmare.”
REPRESENTATIVE CASES
Among others, recent cases include:
Fighting for a remedy for a Rastafrian man whose 20 years of dreadlocks were shaved off while he was awaiting release from jail - “Louisiana citizens pride themselves on their right to their free exercise of religion. Despite this, many do not know that the State of Louisiana has shown a tremendous disregard for the religious beliefs of its inmates . . . . Damon Landor, and other Rastafarians, have had their hair cut as part of an unconstitutional practice that is a cruel effort to deprive them of their dignity and most deeply held beliefs." Mr. Landor’s request for help from the Fifth Circuit after the the trial court’s dismissed the case on the grounds that the law did not allow for monetary damages. Many religious groups, including several law clinics, filed in support of his request. The Fifth Circuit denied his appeal, and then en banc, declined to rehear the case instead holding: “The question is whether a damages remedy is available to him under RLUIPA. That is a question only the Supreme Court can answer.” As the New York Times, and Bloomberg news, explained, this was essentially a pitch to the Supreme Court to step in. Mr. Landor has now filed for a writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court. Media outlets, including USA Today, continue to report on the Parties’ filings seeking Supreme Court intervention.
Obtained more than $400,000 as part of a settlement against two sheriffs’ offices and a private for profit prison management company when our client was injured in their facilities and then locked him up in disciplinary cells, took away his wheelchair, and forced him to crawl.
Working to end the overdetention of Louisiana inmates, thousands of whom are held past their legal release date by the Louisiana Department of Safety & Corrections each year. The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit recently upheld the trial court’s decision to continue this action against DOC employees, and the United States’ Department of Justice is now investigating this practice and the New York Times has reported on our client’s case. As the New York Times later reported, the Department of Justice agreed with us that the State is “deliberately indifferent” to the constitutional rights of its inmates. The Fifth Circuit has also ruled that these claims should proceed in the trial court and show a systemic issue.
A $50,000 settlement against the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies who beat a Hispanic man and stole thousands of dollars for him, before calling Homeland Security to detain him to cover up the theft. As a result, his daughter was sent to foster care while he was detained for several weeks. The money has never been returned and even after the case settled, the officer was not disciplined. Recent coverage can be found here, here and here.
Suit against the state, sheriff, and private for profit management prison management company for allowing inmates to get assaulted by other inmates, and failing to help injured inmates. Recent coverage can be found here.
Suit on behalf of a man who called 911 for medical help, and instead, was assaulted by the officer who arrived on the scene. The DA prosecuted the case criminally, and then dropped the charges when the officer gave up his POST (police officer) certifications. The video of that assault is here. Defendant’s have tried to avoid trial by arguing they are entitled to qualified immunity, Plaintiff’s argued in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals that the claims should instead go to a jury to decide.
The family of a man who was left to die from alcohol withdrawal in his jail cell. That lawsuit resulted in a $3.5 million dollar settlement. Click here for press related to that settlement.
A young Native American prisoner neglected in federal custody, and raped and beat up for three days by his cellmate, who received a $750,000 settlement. Click here for press related to that settlement.
A $400,000 settlement for several residents of Trinidad, Colorado who were falsely arrested and maliciously prosecuted based solely on the words of unreliable confidential informants. Click here for press related to that settlement.
A gas station owner injured by police officers. Click here for press related to that settlement.