Practice Area
Defending Municipalities and Government Employees Across New York
Morris Duffy Alonso Faley & Pitcoff is a recognized leader in civil rights defense, representing municipalities, counties, and public officials throughout New York State. Our practice is exclusively focused on defending government entities and their employees against claims alleging violations of constitutional rights under state and federal law. Civil rights claims, often brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, allow individuals to seek redress for alleged constitutional violations. These cases are complex, high exposure matters that require a deep understanding of immunity doctrines, constitutional standards, and the nuances of public entity liability.
We bring a proactive, cost-conscious, and trial-ready approach to defending civil rights claims. Our attorneys have extensive experience in both trial and appellate courts and are highly skilled in identifying key defenses early in the case, including qualified immunity, municipal immunity, and statutory defenses under the Civil Rights Act. We understand the legal, political, and operational implications civil rights litigation can have for public entities and approach every case with diligence, discretion, and strategic foresight.
Our representative civil rights matters include police liability and law enforcement claims, such as excessive force, false arrest and imprisonment, malicious prosecution, assault and battery, and failure to train or supervise. We also defend employment-related claims, including sexual harassment and discrimination in hiring, promotion, termination, and benefits, as well as wrongful death and Section 1983 claims for constitutional violations. We currently represent numerous counties, towns, cities, and their respective law enforcement agencies and municipal employees across New York.
With decades of experience in government defense, MDAFP is trusted by insurers, municipalities, and public sector risk managers to handle sensitive and high-profile civil rights matters. Our team is well-versed in the rapidly evolving legal standards that shape civil rights jurisprudence and is committed to defending public servants with the skill and professionalism these cases demand.