Civil Rights

Pennsylvania Civil Rights Litigation Law Firm

At Paladin Law Offices, PC, our managing partner, Lawrence G. Paladin, Jr., has handled a number of civil rights cases involving matters of free speech, the free exercise of religion, and other First Amendment and Second Amendment issues. Attorney Michael Brenner is also active in protecting the right to bear arms under the Second Amendment. Many of these cases have received considerable media attention. This has put our law firm in the spotlight as an advocate for positions embraced by the Alliance Defense Fund, the Rutherford Institute, and the National Lawyers Association. To learn more about our civil rights litigation in First and Second Amendment cases, contact our Pittsburgh-area law firm. Call us at 412-244-0826.

Free Exercise of Religion

We practice in this area as an extension of our belief that under the US Constitution the state can permit religious speech without endorsing any particular viewpoint. In support of this, we advocate on behalf of organizations such as high school Bible clubs, home schooling organizations, churches, and other groups that deserve equal protection, not persecution, under the law. Religious discrimination is against the law. Our firm works to protect the right to the free exercise of religion.

A strong example of our civil rights work is the Donovan case, where we represented a high school student before the federal Third Circuit Court of Appeals in her effort to convene a Bible club during her school's student activity period. Donovan v. Penxsutawney Area School Board, 336 F.3d 211 (3d Cir. 2003).

Free Speech

We also handle cases involving free speech issues. Our clients have included antiabortion advocates, Christian rights protesters, public officials, high school students, and others who have exercised their right to speak their minds and hearts. We believe strongly that all opinions, especially unpopular ones, need to be available in the marketplace of ideas. We defend and protect individuals whose rights to free speech have been abridged.

Right to Bear Arms

Second Amendment cases involving the right to bear arms continue to make headlines. Our law firm handles cases involving handgun bans, possession of "illegal" weapons, gun permit questions, and the rights of gun clubs.

For information about our civil rights litigation practice related to First and Second Amendment issues, contact our western Pennsylvania law firm.