Civil Rights Cases
Throughout my career, I have worked to hold institutions accountable when their actions cause harm. I believe the civil justice system is one of the most powerful tools for compensating individuals who have suffered injustice and forcing systemic change.
I take on civil rights cases involving medical neglect in jails and prisons, abuse in the foster care system, and police misconduct—working to ensure that those responsible are held to account.
Medical Neglect in Jails and Prisons
A jail sentence should not be a death sentence, yet far too often, people in custody suffer—and even die—because of inadequate medical care. I represent individuals and families harmed by medical neglect in jails and prisons, cases that often involve government employees or private, for-profit medical providers. These for-profit companies are entrusted with the care of incarcerated individuals, yet time and again, they have failed in their duty, with devastating consequences.
Representative Cases
- Kelly Green was 28 years old when he was booked into the Lane County Jail in February 2013 on a misdemeanor warrant. He suffered from paranoid schizophrenia but was placed alone in a cell without medication or treatment from for-profit medical provider Corizon Health. The morning after his arrest, he ran headfirst into a concrete wall, breaking his neck. By the time he was taken to a hospital hours later, he had become quadriplegic. He died 10 months later. A federal judge denied the defendants’ motions to avoid a jury trial.
- Donnie Brown was 43 years old when he entered the Coos County Jail to serve a 30-day sentence in November 2013. Mr. Brown did not receive adequate medical care from for-profit medical provider Conmed Healthcare Management (now known as Wellpath). After 24 days in custody, he was rushed to a local hospital, where he died of a perforated ulcer. A federal judge denied the defendants’ motions to avoid a jury trial.
- Rocky Stewart was 42 years old when he was arrested after a fight and taken to the Coos County Jail in December 2017. Stewart told the deputies that he was nauseous and feeling anxious, and the deputies knew that Mr. Stewart vomited repeatedly after being booked into the jail. A nurse who was in the jail (employed by the company now known as Wellpath) never saw Mr. Stewart. After eight hours in custody, Mr. Stewart was found dead of coronary artery disease, which could have been treated if he had been sent to the hospital. A federal judge sanctioned Wellpath for intentional destruction of evidence.
- Alyssa Sund was 41 years old when she was booked into the Benton County Jail in December 2018. During her 91 hours in custody, Ms. Sund experienced a series of medical complications, including an asthma attack and repeated vomiting. She did not receive any meaningful medical care and eventually was found dead in her cell. A federal judge denied the defendants’ motions to avoid a jury trial.
Abuse in the Foster Care System
Children placed in foster care are among the most vulnerable members of society. When the very system meant to protect them fails, the consequences can be devastating. I represent children who have experienced neglect, abuse, and trauma while in the foster care system, holding the State of Oregon accountable for its failures.
Representative Case
- I represented a boy who experienced severe abuse in a foster home from age 1 to age 3. A Multnomah County jury awarded the full amount of damages after a three-week trial that featured more than 40 witnesses. The defense did not appeal the jury’s verdict and paid the plaintiff’s attorney fees.
Police Misconduct and Civil Rights Violations
Law enforcement officers take an oath to serve and protect, but when they abuse their authority, they must be held accountable. I represent individuals who have experienced police misconduct, including false imprisonment and evidence fabrication.
Representative Cases
- I represented a woman who was falsely imprisoned by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office for 25 hours. My client was a victim of identity theft, which she previously had reported to the Sheriff’s Office. A Clackamas County jury awarded the full amount of damages after a four-day trial. I successfully briefed and argued the defendant’s appeal of the verdict before the Oregon Court of Appeals
- I represented a man who was arrested on drug charges, which were dismissed when a lab test revealed that the suspected substance was not drugs. A federal jury found that a police officer had fabricated evidence after a four-day trial. The defense did not appeal the verdict and paid plaintiff’s attorney fees.
Fighting for Justice, Demanding Change
The individuals I represent have faced life-altering injustices at the hands of institutions that should have protected them. These cases are not just about compensation—they are about changing the system so that others don’t have to suffer the same fate.
If you or a loved one has been harmed due to medical neglect in a jail or prison, abuse in the foster care system, or misconduct by law enforcement, I am here to help.
