At Abrams Fensterman, LLP, we are dedicated to protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals and communities. Our Civil Rights Practice, led by seasoned litigator Amy B. Marion, is committed to standing up for justice, equality, and the rule of law. We represent clients in a broad spectrum of civil rights matters, holding those who violate basic human rights accountable and ensuring our clients’ voices are heard.
Civil Rights Law Focus Areas
Wrongful Convictions – Actual Innocence – 440s
The Abrams Fensterman Civil Rights Litigation Team has successfully handled numerous wrongful conviction cases, tirelessly fighting to correct injustices and secure compensation for those falsely accused. Ms. Marion has successfully litigated numerous high-profile cases involving police and prosecutorial misconduct including the civil litigation against Suffolk County and former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke. Ms. Marion is featured on the podcast about this case, Long Island Serial Killer.
False Arrest/Malicious Prosecution/Excessive Force/Retaliatory Prosecutions
With over 36 years of experience as a criminal defense attorney and civil rights litigator, having litigated and tried to verdict felonies and civil rights violations in both the federal and state courts of New York, Ms. Marion is well suited to handling the multifaceted complex issues involved in these cases. She has settled and successfully tried hundreds of criminal cases, false arrest, malicious prosecution, excessive force, and retaliatory prosecution cases.
Sexual Assaults and Child Victims Act Cases
Ms. Marion has been litigating criminal and civil sexual assault cases for over 36 years. She has represented both victims and those defending against sexual assault accusations. Ms. Marion regularly lectures and counsels on Child Sexual Abuse, she handles multiple types of sexual assault cases, has successfully tried to verdict numerous criminal and civil cases involving sexual assault allegations, including prison rape cases, and successfully tried to verdict one of New York’s first Child Victim Act cases.
First Amendment Violations
Freedom of speech, religion, and assembly are cornerstones of our democracy. We defend clients who have faced First Amendment violations, ensuring their rights to free expression are upheld. Amy Marion’s trial experience in religious corporation disputes highlights her dedication to protecting these fundamental freedoms. She represents global religious institutions as well as some of the largest religious corporations in the metropolitan area.
Voting Rights
Protecting access to the ballot box is critical to our democracy. The Political and Election Law Practice Group at Abrams Fensterman has been on the fore front of the New York State Voting Rights Act. Our firm works to combat voter suppression and actively litigates to ensure fair representation for all citizens. With over 36 years experience as a litigator, Amy Marion’s commitment to justice extends to defending voting rights and ensuring fair electoral processes.
Contempt Litigation
The Civil Rights Practice has navigated a range of commercial disputes as well as criminal and civil contempt proceedings, protecting and defending clients’ rights, protecting clients from jail time, and enforcing and defending legal judgments.
Public Education Rights
We advocate for students and families who have faced discrimination or deprivation of educational rights within public and private schools. We handle cases involving unequal access, harassment, and violations of students’ rights to a fair education.
Prisoners’ Rights
The Civil Rights Practice group at Abrams Fensterman represents incarcerated individuals whose constitutional rights have been violated, including cases of abuse, neglect, and denial of basic healthcare.
Discrimination Claims
We represent individuals who have faced discrimination based on race, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and other protected classes. Our team works tirelessly to ensure justice is served and systemic inequities are addressed. The Civil Rights Practice at Abrams Fensterman has successfully litigated discrimination cases against large municipalities and corporations, achieving justice for those wronged by discrimination and a deprivation of constitutional rights.
Workplace Rights
Our attorneys advocate for clients facing discrimination, harassment, or wrongful termination in the workplace. We enforce labor laws and fight for fair treatment for all employees. Our litigation team’s extensive litigation experience in employment-related disputes ensures strategic and vigorous representation.
Notable Achievements
Wrongful Convictions
The Abrams Fensterman Civil Rights Litigation Team has successfully handled numerous wrongful conviction cases, tirelessly fighting to correct injustices and secure compensation for those falsely accused. Ms. Marion successfully litigated the civil litigation against Suffolk County and former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke and she recently obtained a multi-million dollar settlement for a client after years of litigating a complex wrongful conviction case.
False Arrest/Malicious Prosecution/Excessive Force/Retaliatory Prosecutions
Ms. Marion has handled numerous high profile cases involving police misconduct, excessive force, false arrest and police brutality. https://www.nydailynews.com/2014/07/12/long-island-man-20-beaten-by-cops-in-april-suffers-physical-pain-emotional-damage/
Sexual Assaults
Ms. Marion has helped bring to justice numerous individuals for sexual assaults.
https://www.longislandpress.com/2013/10/21/woman-sues-nassau-cop-for-alleged-sex-abuse/
https://ansell.law/inside-edition-picks-up-story-on-pacellis-suit-against-divorce-attorney/
Prisoner Rights
Ms. Marion represented eight of the inmates in the class-action lawsuit resulting from a week-long power and heat outage in 2019. https://ecbawm.com/news/bop-compensate-brooklyn-jail-blackout-case/#:~:text=Lawyers%20for%20plaintiffs%20announced%20a,earlier%20Order%20in%20the%20case.
Contempt Litigation
In 2023, Amy Marion won a civil contempt hearing and obtained attorney’s fees for her client in a contentious commercial litigation matter and in 2025 she successfully defended a client in a lengthy contempt hearing and avoided jail time for the client.
Religious Corporation Disputes
Abrams Fensterman has successfully handled litigation disputes involving religious corporations, safeguarding clients’ interests in complex legal contexts. In 2021, Amy Marion won a trial for her clients involved in a contentious religious corporation dispute and quite recently, in 2026, she won a hearing in another case, getting the entire case against her clients fully dismissed.
Criminal Defense Cases
Our attorneys have defended numerous clients against criminal charges, often securing dismissals and favorable outcomes. Ms. Marion has been a criminal defense attorney for over 36 years, she has tried to verdict and received acquittals in felony cases involving attempted murder, assault, and top-level drug charges. She defends A-1 felonies, kidnapping, weapons, and sexual assault charges regularly. She recently obtained a full dismissal for a rape charge.
Why Choose Us
Proven Track Record
Led by Amy Marion, our team has a history of success in civil rights litigation. Our victories include high-profile cases involving wrongful convictions, discrimination, and deprivation of constitutional rights.
Client-Centered Approach
We prioritize the needs and goals of our clients, offering compassionate and personalized legal representation every step of the way.
Experienced Advocates
Amy Marion brings over 37 years of experience and a passion for justice to every case. She was a criminal defense attorney with the New York City Legal Aid Society, is a past president of the Nassau County Criminal Courts Bar Association, an active member of the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and is a State Commissioner for the New York State Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct.
How We Can Help
If you believe your civil rights have been violated, our team is here to help. We will listen to your story, assess your case, and develop a strategic plan tailored to your unique circumstances. From negotiation to litigation, we will stand by your side to seek justice.
For further information about our Civil Rights Department, please contact our law firm on Long Island at 516-328-2300, in Brooklyn at 718-215-5300, White Plains at 914-607-7010, Rochester at 585-218-9999 or Albany at 518-535-9477 to schedule an initial consultation to discuss your case today.
