Civil Rights Lawyer
Serving Clients in California, New York, Florida & Nationally
Bloom Fudali is not afraid of a high-profile case. That’s why so many well-known personalities trust Lisa Bloom as their attorney. Some of Bloom Fudali’s past clients include,
- American Super Model Janice Dickinson,
- Good Morning America host Lara Spencer,
- Actress Lindsay Lohan’s father Michael Lohan,
- Reality show stars Michaele and Tareq Salahi, as well as
- CEOs and executives of multibillion dollar companies.
You don’t need to be a celebrity or a CEO to have us fight for your civil rights and defend your interests. Throughout her notable legal career, Lisa Bloom has taken on high profile people and powerful organizations on behalf of her clients, including:
- Bill Cosby, actor and comedian
- Boy Scouts of America,
- Los Angeles Police Department, and
- Numerous Fortune 500 companies.
Lisa Bloom’s successes established groundbreaking precedents on the foremost social issues including the rights of AIDS patients and sexual abuse survivors.
- We pride ourselves on our dedication to prompt communication: a phone call or an-email to one of our attorneys will be returned within 24 hours, if not sooner.
- You will be given your attorney’s personal cell phone number to use when necessary.
Bloom Fudali represents individuals in civil rights cases involving police brutality, excessive force, unlawful arrest, First Amendment violations, and other constitutional claims. Founder Lisa Bloom has spent over 30 years representing victims in high-stakes litigation against powerful defendants. Our attorneys are admitted in California, New York, and Florida, and we handle civil rights matters nationwide.
Litigation can be very stressful. You deserve the highest level of care and concern from your attorney. If you need help and want experienced, effective legal representation along with the kind of personal service you deserve, contact Bloom Fudali today!
Why Choose Bloom Fudali for Your Civil Rights Case?
Exposed to High-Profile Civil Rights Litigation
Lisa Bloom founded Bloom Fudali in 2010 after decades of trial work and public advocacy. She earned her J.D. from Yale Law School and has practiced since the early 1990s. Her work has included representing victims in cases involving police misconduct, First Amendment violations, and discrimination by government actors.
Lisa serves as a legal analyst for CNN, NBC, CBS, and ABC. That public platform reflects her commitment to civil rights advocacy beyond the courtroom. She uses media attention strategically to bring pressure on defendants and raise awareness about systemic issues.
The firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of civil rights violations. Results include a $1.35 million recovery in an excessive force case, $775,000 in another civil rights matter, and $3 million for a peaceful protester who was shot in the eye with a rubber bullet during a Black Lives Matter demonstration. Lisa has been recognized as a Super Lawyer every year since 2015.
Focused Exclusively on Plaintiff Representation
Bloom Fudali represents victims and plaintiffs only. We do not defend police departments, government agencies, or corporations accused of civil rights violations. Every case we take involves advocating for individuals against institutional defendants.
Contingency Fee Structure
Civil rights cases are handled on contingency. We receive a percentage of the recovery only if we win. You pay no attorney’s fees unless we obtain compensation for you.
Nationwide Practice
Our attorneys hold licenses in California, New York, and Florida. We represent clients in civil rights matters throughout the country, in both state and federal courts.
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“Lisa Bloom & her team have been nothing short of phenomenal. Aside from being masters of their craft, it quickly became obvious that Bloom Fudali operates with a deep sense of passion for their mission based on the way we were treated from the very beginning.” — Daniel Koleshchuk
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Civil Rights Cases We Handle
Civil rights violations occur when someone acting under government authority violates your constitutional protections. The specific circumstances vary, but the legal framework is consistent: government actors must respect the rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
- Police Brutality and Excessive Force. The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable seizures, which includes the use of excessive force by law enforcement. Officers may use reasonable force when necessary, but they cross a constitutional line when force becomes disproportionate to the threat. We represent victims of excessive force by police officers, sheriff’s deputies, corrections officers, and other government agents.
- Unlawful Arrest and False Imprisonment. An arrest requires probable cause. When officers arrest you without it, they violate your Fourth Amendment rights. False imprisonment claims arise from detention without legal justification. These claims frequently accompany excessive force allegations.
- First Amendment Violations. Free speech and peaceful assembly are constitutional rights. We have represented protestors who were attacked, shot with rubber bullets, or arrested while lawfully demonstrating. The firm handled multiple cases arising from protests following George Floyd’s death, including claims against law enforcement in Sacramento and Los Angeles.
- Due Process Violations. The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments guarantee due process before the government deprives you of life, liberty, or property. Violations occur when officials act arbitrarily, ignore required procedures, or deny fundamental fairness.
- Discrimination by Government Actors. Government employees who discriminate based on race, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics violate the Equal Protection Clause. These cases differ from private workplace discrimination claims because they require state action.
- Conditions of Confinement Incarcerated individuals retain constitutional protections. The Eighth Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. Deliberate indifference to serious medical needs, dangerous conditions, and excessive force against inmates can support civil rights claims.
Federal Civil Rights Law: Understanding Section 1983
The primary vehicle for civil rights lawsuits against state and local officials is 42 U.S.C. § 1983. This federal statute creates a cause of action for individuals whose constitutional rights are violated by persons acting “under color of” state law.
Section 1983 does not create substantive rights. It provides a mechanism for enforcing rights established elsewhere, primarily in the Constitution. A successful claim requires proving two elements: the defendant acted under color of state law, and the defendant’s conduct violated a right secured by the Constitution or federal law.
Qualified Immunity
Government officials frequently raise qualified immunity as a defense. This doctrine protects officials from liability unless they violate “clearly established” law. Courts analyze whether existing precedent placed the constitutional question “beyond debate” at the time of the violation. The American Civil Liberties Union has advocated for reforming this doctrine.
Municipal Liability
Cities and counties can be sued under Section 1983, but only when constitutional violations result from official policy, custom, or widespread practice. This standard, established in Monell v. Department of Social Services, prevents municipal liability based solely on individual officer misconduct. Proving a pattern or policy requires substantial evidence.
Filing Deadlines
Section 1983 claims borrow statutes of limitations from state personal injury law. California imposes a two-year deadline. New York allows three years. Florida requires filing within two years. The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division provides information about federal enforcement, though private lawsuits operate independently.
Damages Available in Civil Rights Cases
Civil rights violations cause harm that deserves compensation. Physical injuries, emotional trauma, lost income, and damaged reputation all factor into recovery. The law also recognizes the importance of deterring future misconduct.
Compensatory Damages cover actual losses. Medical bills for injuries from an assault. Lost wages during recovery. Costs of counseling for psychological harm. The goal is restoring you, financially, to where you would have been absent the violation.
Pain and Suffering warrant compensation even when difficult to quantify. Factors include severity of the violation, duration of suffering, and impact on daily life. Someone shot by police has different damages than someone detained unlawfully for several hours.
Punitive Damages are recoverable when defendants acted with malice, reckless indifference, or callous disregard for constitutional rights. These damages punish egregious conduct and deter similar behavior. They require proof beyond mere negligence.
Attorney’s Fees 42 U.S.C. § 1988 allows prevailing plaintiffs to recover reasonable attorney’s fees. This fee-shifting provision helps ensure that civil rights violations can be challenged even when monetary damages alone might not justify the litigation cost.
Injunctive Relief can order defendants to stop unconstitutional conduct or implement reforms. Injunctive relief matters most in cases challenging ongoing policies rather than isolated incidents.
Contact Bloom Fudali
Civil rights cases require attorneys who understand federal constitutional law, Section 1983 procedure, and the practical realities of suing government defendants. Bloom Fudali has handled these matters for over a decade.
If you believe your constitutional rights have been violated, contact us for a free consultation. We respond promptly and represent clients nationwide.