Civil Rights & Liability Defense
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FMG lawyers are nationally recognized for their aggressive, successful defense of governmental entities and officials.
FMG lawyers are nationally recognized for their aggressive, successful defense of governmental entities and officials. We have handled cases involving virtually every aspect of governmental liability and public safety, including land use, zoning, jail conditions, search and seizure, high speed pursuits, sign ordinances and first amendment claims. We have represented clients in a number of significant decisions, including the landmark decision by the Supreme Court of the United States in Scott v. Harris.
Our representation encompasses literally hundreds of local governments, including cities, counties, housing authorities, development authorities, and school districts. Our lead partner of this practice group is considered by many to be among the foremost governmental liability defense lawyers in the nation.
As the traditional shield of sovereign immunity has eroded, governments and their employees have been presented with a multitude of serious claims. Our lawyers are nationally recognized for their successful and aggressive defense of governmental entities and officials.
Successes
FMG attorneys Cynthia O’Donnell and Shane Miller successfully obtained a judgment from the Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirming the dismissal of a case alleging violations of Plaintiffs’ Fourth Amendment rights. The case involved FMG’s defense of a humane society and two of its investigation officers. Plaintiffs claimed that their civil rights were violated as a result of the search and seizure of several dogs owned by them from their vacant home, where they housed the animals for breeding.
Plaintiff dog owners brought this action on the basis that the search and seizure warrant was unlawfully issued in that it contained false information and lacked exculpatory evidence. FMG filed a motion to dismiss the complaint, which the trial court granted and the Third Circuit affirmed, finding that the affidavit contained sufficient facts to provide a substantial basis for a finding of probable cause that Plaintiffs violated the Pennsylvania Animal Neglect laws.
Barraclough v. Animal Friends, Inc., 23-3157, 2024 WL 4867068 (3d Cir. Nov. 22, 2024)