Sentences with phrase «federal civil rights claim»

The court dismissed her case, for the reason that her case presented no valid Federal civil rights claim.

If a party were suing under something like civil rights claims and a judge ordered the dismissal of the parties state claims while allowing the federal civil rights claims, how could one go about an...

Not exact matches

The suits by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Human Rights Campaign, filed in federal courts in Baltimore and Seattle, claim Trump's plan violates the Equal Protection clause of the Constitution.

Federal civil rights officials have absurdly claimed that they are the true heirs of Martin Luther King's moral legacy, by virtue of their having remained loyal to his «color blind» ideal — as if King's moral leadership consisted of this and nothing else.

The seventh alleged victim is Caitrin Kennedy, who is represented by Prathima Reddy, a civil rights lawyer who will be pursuing a claim in the federal court in Buffalo.

The sore loser — who finished a distant fourth in the September Democratic mayoral primary after eeking out a mere 7 percent of the vote — and his campaign committee filed the Manhattan federal court suit claiming his civil rights were violated a month earlier when the Board withheld the funds.

The family of a 12 - year - old Muslim middle school student has filed a $ 25 million federal lawsuit against the East Islip school district, claiming the seventh - grader's civil rights were violated when school officials forced him to sign a false confession saying he was a terrorist.

Three months after the incident, the Dexters sued officers Mahar and Vella, along with Miner and Fowler, in a federal lawsuit claiming that police had used excessive force and violated their civil rights.

Although under some laws HBO may have a right to an award of attorneys» fees and expenses if it prevails in an arbitration, HBO agrees that it will seek such an award only in the event that the substance of your claim or the relief sought has been deemed by the arbitrator to be frivolous or brought for an improper purpose (as measured by the standards set forth in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11 (b)-RRB-.

Characterizing its practice as a «general practice for a specialized clientele,» the firm provides legal advice and expertise to handle any and all needs of a school district, including fair dismissal personnel issues, allegations of employment discrimination and EEOC complaints, other personnel disputes, student discipline issues, student tribunal hearings, civil rights claims, personal injury actions, federal and state constitutional claims and other litigation, special education and other legal issues involving disabled students, contracts, leases and other business needs, policy and rule development, construction disputes, bond and SPLOST issues and other financial matters.

Providing a general law practice for a specialized clientele, Harben, Hartley & Hawkins meets all of the legal needs of school districts including: fair dismissal personnel issues, allegations of employment discrimination and EEOC complaints, other personnel disputes, student discipline issues, student tribunal hearings, civil rights claims, personal injury actions, federal and state constitutional claims and other litigation, special education and other legal issues involving disabled students, contracts, leases and other business needs, policy and rule development, construction disputes, bond and SPLOST issues and other financial matters.

• School Expansion, Growth & Strategic Planning • State and Federal Employment Law • School Board and Nonprofit Governance • Administrative Law & Appeals of State and Federal Agency Decisions and Actions • Special Investigations & Legal / Compliance Audits • Policy Guidance and Development • Constitutional Challenges and Claims • School Employee and School Board Training • Litigation in Federal and State Courts • Administrative Hearings and Appeals Before State and Federal Agencies • Public Entity Purchasing and Procurement; Business Transactions; & Contract Negotiation, Review and Drafting • Construction Law, AIA Construction Contracts, Review and Drafting • Real Estate Transactions and Condemnation • Special Education under IDEA and Section 504 • Student Rights & Discipline Issues and Hearings • State and Federal Claims of Discrimination • State and Federal Civil Rights • Administrative Grievances and Hearings • False Claims Act / Qui Tam Defense for Local Government Entities

Democrats will be steadfast in their opposition, claiming the work within the federal Office of Civil Rights to be paramount in ensuring the equitable education of all students.

(Calif.) This week the state board of education will go into closed session to consider a federal civil rights suit filed by followers of Hinduism who claim new history and social science content standards are discriminatory.

In 2012, the district signed a voluntary agreement with the U.S. Department of Education's office for civil rights following an investigation by the federal agency to address claims that the school system disciplined black students more harshly than white ones.

However, «personal injury or civil rights claims» according to Fleischman, aren't grounds for having your federal student loans discharged.

No. 9, 196), a hearing in Federal District Court resulting in the dismissal of a civil rights claim on grounds of preemption (906 F. Supp.

As part of her practice in employment and labor, civil rights, and directors and officers (D&O) liability, Tina has successfully represented many clients in claims brought under federal, state, and local laws governing fair - employment practices, including Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), employment discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, breach of contract, negligent hiring, and defamation.

Chris provides business and corporate advice, including advice related to sales and acquisitions, commercial leasing, contracts, real estate conveyance and financing; broad commercial litigation representation including contracts and other business disputes, commercial and residential construction defect claims, religious entity law, advice regarding employment disputes and compliance, including ADA, ADEA, Title VII, Colorado Wage Act, FLSA compliance, and administrative proceedings before EEOC and DORA - Colorado Civil Rights Division; representation in administrative proceedings, C.R.C.P. 106 (a)(4) appeals and interlocutory appeals regarding governmental immunity, defense and pursuit of 42 USC § 1983 actions in federal and state court; representation of public pension funds in litigation and administrative matters; and appellate practice before the Colorado Court of Appeals, Colorado Supreme Court, and the 10th Circuit.

The State and Federal Employment disputes handled by Whittel & Melton include FLSA (fair labor standards act), Wage and Overtime disputes, Minimum Wage Violations, Discrimination (age, sex, disability, pregnancy, national origin, race), Retaliation claims including FMLA (family medical leave act), workers compensation and sexual harassment in the workplace, Whistleblower protection, qui tam and other civil rights pursuits.

We advise and counsel clients on civil rights issues and defend claims for violations of federal and state civil rights acts.

Business Development: Brokering various business dealings that further the diversification of Indian economies Developing and accessing commercial financial programs and services for tribal governments, including tax - exempt offerings and federally - guaranteed housing loans Serving as issuer or underwriter's counsel in tribal bond issuances Ensuring tribal compliance with Bank Secrecy Act and other federal financial regulatory requirements Handling federal and state income, excise, B&O, property and other tax matters for tribes and tribal businesses Chartering tribal business enterprises under tribal, state and federal law Registering and protecting tribal trademarks and copyrights Negotiating franchise agreements for restaurants and retail stores on Indian reservations Custom - tailoring construction contracts for tribes and general contractors Helping secure federal SBA 8 (a) and other contracting preferences for Indian - owned businesses Facilitating contractual relations between tribes and tribal casinos, and gaming vendors Building tribal workers» compensation and self - insurance programs Government Relations: Handling state and federal regulatory matters in the areas of tribal gaming, environmental and cultural resources, workers» compensation, taxation, health care and education Negotiating tribal - state gaming compacts and fuel and cigarette compacts, and inter-local land use and law enforcement agreements Advocacy before the Washington State Gambling Commission, Washington Indian Gaming Association and National Indian Gaming Commission Preparing tribal codes and regulations, including tribal court, commercial, gaming, taxation, energy development, environmental and cultural resources protection, labor & employment, and workers» compensation laws Developing employee handbooks, manuals and personnel policies Advocacy in areas of treaty rights, gaming, jurisdiction, taxation, environmental and cultural resource protection Brokering fee - to - trust and related real estate and jurisdictional transactions Litigation & Appellate Services: Handling complex Indian law litigation, including commercial, labor & employment, tax, land use, treaty rights, natural and cultural resource matters Litigating tribal trust mismanagement claims against the United States, and evaluating tribal and individual property claims under the Indian Claims Limitation Act Defending tribes and tribal insureds from tort claims brought against them in tribal, state and federal courts, including defense tenders pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act Assisting tribal insureds in insurance coverage negotiations, and litigation Representing individual tribal members in tribal and state civil and criminal proceedings, including BIA prosecutions and Indian probate proceedings Assisting tribal governments with tribal, state and federal court appeals, including the preparation of amicus curiae briefs Our Indian law & gaming attorneys collaborate to publish the quarterly «Indian Legal Advisor ``, designed to provide Indian Country valuable information about legal and political developments affecting tribal federal financial regulatory requirements Handling federal and state income, excise, B&O, property and other tax matters for tribes and tribal businesses Chartering tribal business enterprises under tribal, state and federal law Registering and protecting tribal trademarks and copyrights Negotiating franchise agreements for restaurants and retail stores on Indian reservations Custom - tailoring construction contracts for tribes and general contractors Helping secure federal SBA 8 (a) and other contracting preferences for Indian - owned businesses Facilitating contractual relations between tribes and tribal casinos, and gaming vendors Building tribal workers» compensation and self - insurance programs Government Relations: Handling state and federal regulatory matters in the areas of tribal gaming, environmental and cultural resources, workers» compensation, taxation, health care and education Negotiating tribal - state gaming compacts and fuel and cigarette compacts, and inter-local land use and law enforcement agreements Advocacy before the Washington State Gambling Commission, Washington Indian Gaming Association and National Indian Gaming Commission Preparing tribal codes and regulations, including tribal court, commercial, gaming, taxation, energy development, environmental and cultural resources protection, labor & employment, and workers» compensation laws Developing employee handbooks, manuals and personnel policies Advocacy in areas of treaty rights, gaming, jurisdiction, taxation, environmental and cultural resource protection Brokering fee - to - trust and related real estate and jurisdictional transactions Litigation & Appellate Services: Handling complex Indian law litigation, including commercial, labor & employment, tax, land use, treaty rights, natural and cultural resource matters Litigating tribal trust mismanagement claims against the United States, and evaluating tribal and individual property claims under the Indian Claims Limitation Act Defending tribes and tribal insureds from tort claims brought against them in tribal, state and federal courts, including defense tenders pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act Assisting tribal insureds in insurance coverage negotiations, and litigation Representing individual tribal members in tribal and state civil and criminal proceedings, including BIA prosecutions and Indian probate proceedings Assisting tribal governments with tribal, state and federal court appeals, including the preparation of amicus curiae briefs Our Indian law & gaming attorneys collaborate to publish the quarterly «Indian Legal Advisor ``, designed to provide Indian Country valuable information about legal and political developments affecting tribal federal and state income, excise, B&O, property and other tax matters for tribes and tribal businesses Chartering tribal business enterprises under tribal, state and federal law Registering and protecting tribal trademarks and copyrights Negotiating franchise agreements for restaurants and retail stores on Indian reservations Custom - tailoring construction contracts for tribes and general contractors Helping secure federal SBA 8 (a) and other contracting preferences for Indian - owned businesses Facilitating contractual relations between tribes and tribal casinos, and gaming vendors Building tribal workers» compensation and self - insurance programs Government Relations: Handling state and federal regulatory matters in the areas of tribal gaming, environmental and cultural resources, workers» compensation, taxation, health care and education Negotiating tribal - state gaming compacts and fuel and cigarette compacts, and inter-local land use and law enforcement agreements Advocacy before the Washington State Gambling Commission, Washington Indian Gaming Association and National Indian Gaming Commission Preparing tribal codes and regulations, including tribal court, commercial, gaming, taxation, energy development, environmental and cultural resources protection, labor & employment, and workers» compensation laws Developing employee handbooks, manuals and personnel policies Advocacy in areas of treaty rights, gaming, jurisdiction, taxation, environmental and cultural resource protection Brokering fee - to - trust and related real estate and jurisdictional transactions Litigation & Appellate Services: Handling complex Indian law litigation, including commercial, labor & employment, tax, land use, treaty rights, natural and cultural resource matters Litigating tribal trust mismanagement claims against the United States, and evaluating tribal and individual property claims under the Indian Claims Limitation Act Defending tribes and tribal insureds from tort claims brought against them in tribal, state and federal courts, including defense tenders pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act Assisting tribal insureds in insurance coverage negotiations, and litigation Representing individual tribal members in tribal and state civil and criminal proceedings, including BIA prosecutions and Indian probate proceedings Assisting tribal governments with tribal, state and federal court appeals, including the preparation of amicus curiae briefs Our Indian law & gaming attorneys collaborate to publish the quarterly «Indian Legal Advisor ``, designed to provide Indian Country valuable information about legal and political developments affecting tribal federal law Registering and protecting tribal trademarks and copyrights Negotiating franchise agreements for restaurants and retail stores on Indian reservations Custom - tailoring construction contracts for tribes and general contractors Helping secure federal SBA 8 (a) and other contracting preferences for Indian - owned businesses Facilitating contractual relations between tribes and tribal casinos, and gaming vendors Building tribal workers» compensation and self - insurance programs Government Relations: Handling state and federal regulatory matters in the areas of tribal gaming, environmental and cultural resources, workers» compensation, taxation, health care and education Negotiating tribal - state gaming compacts and fuel and cigarette compacts, and inter-local land use and law enforcement agreements Advocacy before the Washington State Gambling Commission, Washington Indian Gaming Association and National Indian Gaming Commission Preparing tribal codes and regulations, including tribal court, commercial, gaming, taxation, energy development, environmental and cultural resources protection, labor & employment, and workers» compensation laws Developing employee handbooks, manuals and personnel policies Advocacy in areas of treaty rights, gaming, jurisdiction, taxation, environmental and cultural resource protection Brokering fee - to - trust and related real estate and jurisdictional transactions Litigation & Appellate Services: Handling complex Indian law litigation, including commercial, labor & employment, tax, land use, treaty rights, natural and cultural resource matters Litigating tribal trust mismanagement claims against the United States, and evaluating tribal and individual property claims under the Indian Claims Limitation Act Defending tribes and tribal insureds from tort claims brought against them in tribal, state and federal courts, including defense tenders pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act Assisting tribal insureds in insurance coverage negotiations, and litigation Representing individual tribal members in tribal and state civil and criminal proceedings, including BIA prosecutions and Indian probate proceedings Assisting tribal governments with tribal, state and federal court appeals, including the preparation of amicus curiae briefs Our Indian law & gaming attorneys collaborate to publish the quarterly «Indian Legal Advisor ``, designed to provide Indian Country valuable information about legal and political developments affecting tribal federal SBA 8 (a) and other contracting preferences for Indian - owned businesses Facilitating contractual relations between tribes and tribal casinos, and gaming vendors Building tribal workers» compensation and self - insurance programs Government Relations: Handling state and federal regulatory matters in the areas of tribal gaming, environmental and cultural resources, workers» compensation, taxation, health care and education Negotiating tribal - state gaming compacts and fuel and cigarette compacts, and inter-local land use and law enforcement agreements Advocacy before the Washington State Gambling Commission, Washington Indian Gaming Association and National Indian Gaming Commission Preparing tribal codes and regulations, including tribal court, commercial, gaming, taxation, energy development, environmental and cultural resources protection, labor & employment, and workers» compensation laws Developing employee handbooks, manuals and personnel policies Advocacy in areas of treaty rights, gaming, jurisdiction, taxation, environmental and cultural resource protection Brokering fee - to - trust and related real estate and jurisdictional transactions Litigation & Appellate Services: Handling complex Indian law litigation, including commercial, labor & employment, tax, land use, treaty rights, natural and cultural resource matters Litigating tribal trust mismanagement claims against the United States, and evaluating tribal and individual property claims under the Indian Claims Limitation Act Defending tribes and tribal insureds from tort claims brought against them in tribal, state and federal courts, including defense tenders pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act Assisting tribal insureds in insurance coverage negotiations, and litigation Representing individual tribal members in tribal and state civil and criminal proceedings, including BIA prosecutions and Indian probate proceedings Assisting tribal governments with tribal, state and federal court appeals, including the preparation of amicus curiae briefs Our Indian law & gaming attorneys collaborate to publish the quarterly «Indian Legal Advisor ``, designed to provide Indian Country valuable information about legal and political developments affecting tribal federal regulatory matters in the areas of tribal gaming, environmental and cultural resources, workers» compensation, taxation, health care and education Negotiating tribal - state gaming compacts and fuel and cigarette compacts, and inter-local land use and law enforcement agreements Advocacy before the Washington State Gambling Commission, Washington Indian Gaming Association and National Indian Gaming Commission Preparing tribal codes and regulations, including tribal court, commercial, gaming, taxation, energy development, environmental and cultural resources protection, labor & employment, and workers» compensation laws Developing employee handbooks, manuals and personnel policies Advocacy in areas of treaty rights, gaming, jurisdiction, taxation, environmental and cultural resource protection Brokering fee - to - trust and related real estate and jurisdictional transactions Litigation & Appellate Services: Handling complex Indian law litigation, including commercial, labor & employment, tax, land use, treaty rights, natural and cultural resource matters Litigating tribal trust mismanagement claims against the United States, and evaluating tribal and individual property claims under the Indian Claims Limitation Act Defending tribes and tribal insureds from tort claims brought against them in tribal, state and federal courts, including defense tenders pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act Assisting tribal insureds in insurance coverage negotiations, and litigation Representing individual tribal members in tribal and state civil and criminal proceedings, including BIA prosecutions and Indian probate proceedings Assisting tribal governments with tribal, state and federal court appeals, including the preparation of amicus curiae briefs Our Indian law & gaming attorneys collaborate to publish the quarterly «Indian Legal Advisor ``, designed to provide Indian Country valuable information about legal and political developments affecting tribal rclaims against the United States, and evaluating tribal and individual property claims under the Indian Claims Limitation Act Defending tribes and tribal insureds from tort claims brought against them in tribal, state and federal courts, including defense tenders pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act Assisting tribal insureds in insurance coverage negotiations, and litigation Representing individual tribal members in tribal and state civil and criminal proceedings, including BIA prosecutions and Indian probate proceedings Assisting tribal governments with tribal, state and federal court appeals, including the preparation of amicus curiae briefs Our Indian law & gaming attorneys collaborate to publish the quarterly «Indian Legal Advisor ``, designed to provide Indian Country valuable information about legal and political developments affecting tribal rclaims under the Indian Claims Limitation Act Defending tribes and tribal insureds from tort claims brought against them in tribal, state and federal courts, including defense tenders pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act Assisting tribal insureds in insurance coverage negotiations, and litigation Representing individual tribal members in tribal and state civil and criminal proceedings, including BIA prosecutions and Indian probate proceedings Assisting tribal governments with tribal, state and federal court appeals, including the preparation of amicus curiae briefs Our Indian law & gaming attorneys collaborate to publish the quarterly «Indian Legal Advisor ``, designed to provide Indian Country valuable information about legal and political developments affecting tribal rClaims Limitation Act Defending tribes and tribal insureds from tort claims brought against them in tribal, state and federal courts, including defense tenders pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act Assisting tribal insureds in insurance coverage negotiations, and litigation Representing individual tribal members in tribal and state civil and criminal proceedings, including BIA prosecutions and Indian probate proceedings Assisting tribal governments with tribal, state and federal court appeals, including the preparation of amicus curiae briefs Our Indian law & gaming attorneys collaborate to publish the quarterly «Indian Legal Advisor ``, designed to provide Indian Country valuable information about legal and political developments affecting tribal rclaims brought against them in tribal, state and federal courts, including defense tenders pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act Assisting tribal insureds in insurance coverage negotiations, and litigation Representing individual tribal members in tribal and state civil and criminal proceedings, including BIA prosecutions and Indian probate proceedings Assisting tribal governments with tribal, state and federal court appeals, including the preparation of amicus curiae briefs Our Indian law & gaming attorneys collaborate to publish the quarterly «Indian Legal Advisor ``, designed to provide Indian Country valuable information about legal and political developments affecting tribal federal courts, including defense tenders pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act Assisting tribal insureds in insurance coverage negotiations, and litigation Representing individual tribal members in tribal and state civil and criminal proceedings, including BIA prosecutions and Indian probate proceedings Assisting tribal governments with tribal, state and federal court appeals, including the preparation of amicus curiae briefs Our Indian law & gaming attorneys collaborate to publish the quarterly «Indian Legal Advisor ``, designed to provide Indian Country valuable information about legal and political developments affecting tribal Federal Tort Claims Act Assisting tribal insureds in insurance coverage negotiations, and litigation Representing individual tribal members in tribal and state civil and criminal proceedings, including BIA prosecutions and Indian probate proceedings Assisting tribal governments with tribal, state and federal court appeals, including the preparation of amicus curiae briefs Our Indian law & gaming attorneys collaborate to publish the quarterly «Indian Legal Advisor ``, designed to provide Indian Country valuable information about legal and political developments affecting tribal rClaims Act Assisting tribal insureds in insurance coverage negotiations, and litigation Representing individual tribal members in tribal and state civil and criminal proceedings, including BIA prosecutions and Indian probate proceedings Assisting tribal governments with tribal, state and federal court appeals, including the preparation of amicus curiae briefs Our Indian law & gaming attorneys collaborate to publish the quarterly «Indian Legal Advisor ``, designed to provide Indian Country valuable information about legal and political developments affecting tribal federal court appeals, including the preparation of amicus curiae briefs Our Indian law & gaming attorneys collaborate to publish the quarterly «Indian Legal Advisor ``, designed to provide Indian Country valuable information about legal and political developments affecting tribal rights.

On March 7, the Supreme Court decided Skinner v. Switzer and held that death - row inmate Henry Skinner may bring a claim in federal court under civil rights law 42 U.S.C. -LSB-...]

Our employment attorneys routinely defend employers in civil rights litigation, such as employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims in both federal and state courts.

We have an experienced team of trial and appellate lawyers who defend governmental entities and their officials and employees in litigation involving federal civil rights, constitutional, employment, land use and personal injury claims.

John has represented police officers and public officials in state and federal court in all aspects of civil rights litigation including claims involving use of force, wrongful arrest and land use.

You can file an administrative claim with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the New Jersey Division of Civil Rights.

Civil Rights and Employment Litigation Municipal governments are often confronted with litigants claiming violations of their civil rights or alleging discriminatory conduct under federal and state statCivil Rights and Employment Litigation Municipal governments are often confronted with litigants claiming violations of their civil rights or alleging discriminatory conduct under federal and state staRights and Employment Litigation Municipal governments are often confronted with litigants claiming violations of their civil rights or alleging discriminatory conduct under federal and state statcivil rights or alleging discriminatory conduct under federal and state starights or alleging discriminatory conduct under federal and state statutes.

During her career in private practice, she represented employers in a wide range of employment matters, including claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Florida Civil Rights Act, and various other federal, state, and local laws.

The following cases suggest that if a claim is valid under Section 1983 of the Federal Civil Rights Act, that state law granting immunity to the official can not override Federal law under the Supremacy Clause.

Gallop claimed the civil death statute was not applicable to his case and that it is invalid under the supremacy clause that gives him rights under the Constitution and federal law.

Defense of various Federal and State civil rights claims brought against municipalities, counties and State of New Jersey.

President (2002, 2014), Secretary (2012), Treasurer (2004 - 2011), Governing Board (1997 - 2001), U.S. Court of Federal Claims Bar Association Judicially appointed member, U.S. Court of Federal Claims Advisory Council (appointed by then - Chief Judge Lawrence Baskir (2001 - 2004); reappointed by then - Chief Judge Edward Damich (2004 - 2009); reappointed by then - Chief Judge Emily Hewitt (2009 - 2014), reappointed by Chief Judge Patricia Campbell - Smith (2014 - present) Member, Board of Trustees / Board of Directors, State University of New York at Albany, The University at Albany Foundation, Inc. (2011 - present) Co-chair, Advisory Board, State University of New York at Albany, Rockefeller College (2004 - 2011) Co-chair (2013 - 2015), Board of Directors, Washington D.C. Lawyers» Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (2003 - present) Member, Maryland Attorney General's Environmental Policy Advisory Board (2008 - 2015) Member, Board of Trustees, The Norwood School (Bethesda, Maryland)(2011 - present) General Counsel (2016 - present) and Member, Board of Directors, Washington D.C. Hebrew Congregation (2012 - present)

In Green v. Brennan, No. 14 - 613 (May 23, 2016), the Supreme Court held that, in constructive - discharge claims brought by federal employees under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the limitations period for the time...

«The inequality among the states will become more visible and obvious when some people can claim federal benefits and others can not,» says Jennifer Pizer, director of the Law and Policy Project at Lambda Legal, a nonprofit organization working for the civil rights of lesbians and gays.

Later, Wilson filed a lawsuit, claiming violations of federal civil rights laws.