The attorneys in the Civil Rights and Municipal Liability practice group have defended local governments and state agencies in a broad range of claims under both state and federal law, including claims under Sections 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985 and 1986. We are mindful of the complex interrelationships, specifically with state-run agencies, that can arise in such cases.
Our Civil Rights and Municipal Liability attorneys have defended school districts, zoning boards, police departments, boards of supervisors and other forms of governing bodies who have been sued in both state and federal courts. We have handled claims involving discrimination, excessive force, denial of due process, denial of equal protection and First Amendment claims, as well as claims involving the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, Title VII, and other federal and state statutes.
The group also specializes in the defense of claims against schools and universities with regard to inappropriate student contact, school bus accidents, wrongful discharge and denial of tenure. Each of our attorneys is experienced in the sensitive nature of these matters and we stand by our ability to offer the highest value of services for clients who are also mindful of costs.
Our Civil Rights and Municipal Liability practice group is chaired by Joseph Goldberg, who can be reached at 215.825.7225 or jgoldberg@wglaw.com.
Civil Rights and Municipal Liability Department
Wendi D. Barish Partner Philadelphia, PA 2000 Market Street, Suite 1300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 215.972.7914 Wendi D. Barish
Kimberly A. Brown Associate Philadelphia, PA 2000 Market Street, Suite 1300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 267.295.3372 Kimberly A. Brown
Samuel H. Foreman Partner Pittsburgh, PA 2 Gateway Center, Suite 1450 603 Stanwix Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412.281.5813 Samuel H. Foreman
Joseph Goldberg Partner Philadelphia, PA 2000 Market Street, Suite 1300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 215.825.7225 Joseph Goldberg
| | Meredith A. Kirschner Associate Philadelphia, PA 2000 Market Street, Suite 1300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 267.519.4982 Meredith A. Kirschner
Syreeta Peake Associate Philadelphia, PA 2000 Market Street, Suite 1300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 215.825.7217 Syreeta Peake
Richard S. Ranieri Partner Murray Hill, NJ Mailing Address: P.O. Box 10170 Newark, NJ 07101 430 Mountain Avenue, 4th Floor Murray Hill, NJ 07974 973.242.2230 Richard S. Ranieri
Anthony P. Seijas Partner Murray Hill, NJ Mailing Address: P.O. Box 10170 Newark, NJ 07101 430 Mountain Avenue, 4th Floor Murray Hill, NJ 07974 973.854.1065 Anthony P. Seijas
| | Tracy A. Walsh Partner Philadelphia, PA 2000 Market Street, Suite 1300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 215.825.7224 Tracy A. Walsh
Brett A. Zahorchak Associate Philadelphia, PA 2000 Market Street, Suite 1300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 267.519.4976 Brett A. Zahorchak
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Civil Rights and Municipal Liability Results
Joseph Goldberg Obtains Defense Verdict in Excessive Force Case
2011-04-06
On April 5, 2011, a federal jury decided that police officers who shot a Warminster man in March 2006 did not use excessive force.
Twenty-one year old Sean Sullivan was shot and killed in his back yard when trying to flee police who were serving his mother with a warrant for providing fal
2011-04-06 : Joseph Goldberg Obtains Defense Verdict in Excessive Force Case
Anthony P. Seijas Obtains Favorable Appellate Result
2011-02-02
Anthony Seijas obtained a favorable result before the New Jersey Appellate Division. The decision was reported in the New Jersey Law Journal.
2011-02-02 : Anthony P. Seijas Obtains Favorable Appellate Result
Prosecutor, Detectives Entitled to Immunity in Section 1983 Action
2010-01-22
A federal court judge in Philadelphia dismissed a Section 1983 lawsuit against a prosecutor and police detectives after ruling that the defendants were entitled to immunity for their actions.
In 2006, a local police department received a tip from an informant that the plaintiff was planni
2010-01-22 : Prosecutor, Detectives Entitled to Immunity in Section 1983 Action
Wendi D. Barish Prevails in Negligent Hiring/Supervision Trial
2009-02-05
Partner Wendi D. Barish secured a defense verdict on behalf of a home healthcare company after a jury trial in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. The trial involved claims of negligent
2009-02-05 : Wendi D. Barish Prevails in Negligent Hiring/Supervision Trial
Michael B. Pullano Gains Court Victories
2007-10-05
Philadelphia-based partner Michael B. Pullano was successful in obtaining dismissals for clients in several cases in September 2007. On September 13, Judge Manfredi of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas granted preliminary objections in a professional negligence ca
2007-10-05 : Michael B. Pullano Gains Court Victories
Weber Gallagher Attorneys Earn Third Circuit Victory
2006-06-05
Joseph Goldberg and Wendi D. Barish, partners in the Philadelphia office of Weber Gallagher Simpson Stapleton Fires & Newby LLP, recently prevailed in an appeal before the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. In Teed v. Hilltow
2006-06-05 : Weber Gallagher Attorneys Earn Third Circuit Victory
Civil Rights and Municipal Liability News
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Nine Attorneys Named Pennsylvania 'Super Lawyers'
2009-05-27
Paul M. Fires, Joseph Goldberg, Richard E. Stabinski, Peter J. Weber and Andrew K. Worek, partners in the Philadelphia office of Weber Gallagher Simpson Stapleton Fires & Newby LLP, Lynne Z. Gold
2009-05-27: Nine Attorneys Named Pennsylvania 'Super Lawyers'
Wendi D. Barish Speaks at Defense Research Institute Seminar on Civil Rights
2009-01-29
Partner Wendi D. Barish served as a faculty member at the Defense Research Institute's 2009 Civil Rights and Governmental Tort Liability Seminar in New Orleans, Louisiana. The seminar, held on January 28-30, 2009, assembled leading experts, trial attorneys and professors to prese
2009-01-29: Wendi D. Barish Speaks at Defense Research Institute Seminar on Civil Rights
Weber Gallagher Partners Lead In-House Seminar
2007-05-17
Partners Joseph Goldberg and Wendi Barish led an in-house seminar at a major insurance client on topics including Constitutional Claims Arising from Land Use Dispute, The Extent Sovereign Immunity Still Lives, and Lawsuits Against Officials in Their Individual vs
2007-05-17: Weber Gallagher Partners Lead In-House Seminar