Civil Rights Lawyers In Philadelphia

When the actions of government actors—such as police, prison staff, prosecutors, and other state and local officials—lead to a violation of your civil rights, resulting in significant physical or emotional injury, the attorneys at Feldman Shepherd are dedicated to seeking full justice and compensation for the harm you have suffered.

Man leaning on a table with his hands together

Civil Rights Claims

Civil rights law provides the essential legal foundation to hold government officials and powerful institutions responsible when their misconduct, including police brutality, unlawful detention, or systemic discrimination, causes significant personal harm. Both state and federal laws, including § 1983 of the Civil Rights Act and the U.S. Constitution, form the basis of civil rights law, providing the tools we need to seek justice.

The Feldman Shepherd civil rights attorneys handle cases that arise in a variety of circumstances, including:

Police brutality and excessive force
Illegal search and seizure
False arrest and false imprisonment
Sexual harassment and assault
Abuse, mistreatment, and unlawful conduct by ICE agents
Discrimination in medical care

Major Civil Rights and Police Misconduct Victories

Among our notable cases, of counsel attorney Robert J. Levant secured a $10 million verdict for a man who spent nearly four years in jail after a Philadelphia police officer falsely accused him of firing a gun at him. The verdict, handed down by Philadelphia jurors in May 2018, was reportedly the largest ever civil verdict for police misconduct in Philadelphia.

Attorney Mark W. Tanner secured a $1.65 million settlement and a public apology from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office in Pennsylvania for a businessman who was wrongfully arrested and publicly defamed on bogus charges of stealing over $370,000 from a church. The church pushed the false accusations—with inappropriate help from a church-member chief detective and the church’s own legal team—to gain leverage in a contract dispute that our client had taken to arbitration. This malicious prosecution, which included our client being intentionally paraded before TV news cameras by the then-District Attorney, destroyed our client’s successful construction business and reputation. The church’s claims that our client had engaged in wrongdoing were found to be “completely without merit” by an independent arbitrator who ruled that the church actually owed our client over $300,000. The settlement and apology in 2014 acknowledged that there was “no credible evidence” that our client stole anything, paving the way for him to reach a separate confidential settlement with the church shortly thereafter.

Attorneys Alan M. Feldman, Edward S. Goldis, and Andrew K. Mitnick secured a class action settlement against the City of Chester, Pennsylvania, for its police department’s practice of subjecting individuals to unconstitutional, mandatory strip searches upon placement in a holding cell, pursuant to a 1995 policy. The litigation was sparked by the experience of our client, who was arrested for public intoxication after seeking to retrieve items from his car at a casino, and was subsequently strip-searched at the police station despite his minor charges and lack of reasonable suspicion of contraband. The intrusive and humiliating policy was applied uniformly, regardless of the arrestee's circumstances. The settlement provided compensation ranging from $100 to $1,000 for over 1,000 individuals unlawfully searched between February 25, 2017, and December 9, 2020, with our client receiving a $25,000 award, and importantly, required the police department to update its policies to comply with existing law, mandating a particularized reasonable suspicion for any future strip searches.

We’re Ready to Stand Up For You Serving Clients Nationwide

215-325-1954 Free Case Evaluation

Additional Civil Rights and Discrimination Recoveries

In a case highlighting the firm’s creative lawyering capabilities, attorneys Daniel S. Weinstock and Carolyn M. Chopko approached a neonatal medical malpractice case from a civil rights perspective and achieved a $10 million settlement, where California law at the time imposed a general damages cap of $250,000 in medical negligence cases and erected numerous hurdles and barriers designed to prevent a medical malpractice victim from obtaining fair compensation for their injuries. Under the unique circumstances of this case—in which the hospital where the client was born was providing substandard treatment and care to newborn babies if their family members spoke Spanish but not English—Weinstock and Chopko were able to develop a strong discrimination case as an adjunct to the medical negligence claim, thus rendering the tort reform laws inapplicable. The recovery may be the largest in any such case in the history of the State of California, which pioneered tort reform in the 1970s.

Other significant recoveries include:

$2.5 million settlement against the City of Philadelphia on behalf of a man who was shot by police in his home when there were no circumstances that warranted police presence at his house.
$750,000 settlement on behalf of the mother of a 20-year-old man who died after a violent arrest by two Camden, New Jersey, police officers outside a concert venue.
$625,000 settlement against the City of Philadelphia for a woman who was convicted on drug charges and jailed for more than three years based on evidence fabricated by Philadelphia police.
$500,000 settlement against the City of Philadelphia on behalf of the Estate of a mentally ill woman who was shot and killed by police.
$250,000 settlement against Pennsylvania State Police on behalf of a 45-year-old woman who was sexually preyed upon by a trooper whose commanders turned a blind eye as he amassed a shocking litany of sexual misconduct complaints from multiple victims and a damning trail of circumstantial evidence.

Our Commitment to Our Civil Rights Clients

At Feldman Shepherd, we recognize that for victims of civil rights abuses, the violation of your rights by government actors inflicts a unique and profound trauma—one that goes beyond physical wounds to attack your dignity and sense of security. We are committed to achieving the best possible financial recovery for you as expeditiously as possible. Beyond this, we strive to shift the power dynamic and compel systemic change where possible. While every civil rights case turns on its unique facts and circumstances, you can always count on our hard work, attention to detail, creative lawyering, and a caring approach tailored to your individual needs.

Frequently Asked Questions Philadelphia Civil Rights

What should I do if I believe my rights were violated by the police or another government agency?

If you believe you were wrongfully arrested, mistreated, subjected to excessive force, or harmed by fabricated evidence, you should document everything as soon as possible. Write down what happened, preserve any photos, videos, or messages, and request copies of hospital records if you were injured. It’s also important to avoid speaking with investigators or insurance representatives until you have consulted with a civil rights attorney who can protect your legal interests.

Can I file a civil lawsuit even if the officer or agency was not criminally charged?

Yes. Civil cases are completely separate from criminal prosecutions. Many victims of misconduct win substantial civil judgments even when officers are not charged—or are cleared—by internal affairs or prosecutors. A civil rights lawsuit focuses on whether your constitutional rights were violated, not whether the government pursues criminal penalties.

What types of compensation are available in police misconduct and wrongful arrest cases?

Compensation in civil rights cases may include damages for lost income, emotional distress, physical injuries, reputational harm, medical expenses, and the costs of defending yourself against false charges. In cases involving egregious misconduct, punitive damages may also be awarded to punish government agencies or officers for violating constitutional rights and to deter future misconduct.

How long do I have to file a civil rights lawsuit in Pennsylvania?

Most civil rights lawsuits under Section 1983 must be filed within two years of the violation. However, determining the exact deadline can be complicated—especially in cases involving wrongful imprisonment, fabricated evidence, or malicious prosecution. An attorney can evaluate the timeline and ensure your claim is filed before expiration.

Can I pursue a civil rights case if the misconduct happened years ago?

Possibly. Some claims—particularly those involving wrongful imprisonment, evidence fabrication, malicious prosecution, or misconduct discovered later—may not accrue until the charges are dismissed or the individual is released. Because these timelines involve legal nuances, it’s crucial to speak with an attorney who can analyze when your claim legally “began to run.”

Will filing a civil rights lawsuit require me to face the officers or officials involved?

Not necessarily. Many cases resolve through settlement negotiations or mediation, without the need for trial testimony. If your case does proceed to court, your attorney will prepare you thoroughly and handle interactions with all opposing parties. Your safety, privacy, and well-being are always a priority.