Civil Rights Attorney NYC

As a civil rights attorney in NYC and former NYPD detective, my commitment is to give a voice to those the system has tried to silence. This is why I take on challenging cases other firms avoid. If you’ve been victimized by wrongful arrest, police brutality, racial profiling, or illegal search and seizure anywhere in New York City — let’s talk. I offer a free, no-obligation consultation to review your case.

What Our Clients Say

Read testimonials from clients who have successfully fought for their civil rights with our legal expertise.

I Know What You're Going Through

The aftermath of a civil rights violation leaves scars that go deeper than anyone realizes. Beyond any physical harm, you’re wrestling with anger, fear, and a deep sense of betrayal. Maybe you’re facing criminal charges you know are unjust. Maybe you can’t sleep because you keep reliving what happened. Maybe you’re afraid no one will believe you.

What happened to you is real, and it matters.

As a civil rights attorney in NYC, I have spent years representing residents across Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan who have experienced the worst of police misconduct — false arrests, brutal force, illegal searches, racial profiling, and false imprisonment. I have helped people reclaim their dignity, clear their names, and get the compensation they deserve.

You shouldn’t have to carry this weight alone. I’m here to listen without judgment, believe your story, and fight to hold those responsible accountable.

Your Rights Matter, No Matter What

Maybe people have told you to just let it go. Maybe you’re worried no one will believe you because of who you are or where you’re from. Maybe you think you can’t sue because you have a criminal record.

Let me be clear: what happened to you is serious. Police officers don’t get a free pass to violate your rights. The law protects you — and there are real consequences when law enforcement crosses the line.

Civil rights violations happen across New York City every single day. They happen in Queens at the 103rd and 109th precincts. In the Bronx at the 40th and 44th. In Brooklyn at the 73rd and 75th. In Manhattan at the 28th and 32nd. They happen to immigrants, to people of color, to young people, to everyone.

Your constitutional rights don’t disappear at the precinct door.

Even if you have a criminal history — even if you were doing something wrong that day — none of that gives police the right to brutalize you, arrest you without cause, or violate your constitutional protections. What you did or didn’t do that day does not justify abuse of power.

You have the right to be heard. You have the right to justice. And I'm ready to help you claim both.

Why You Need Someone Who Knows the System

Here’s the reality I learned during my 10 years inside the NYPD and the Bronx DA’s office: the city does not want to pay you what you’re owed. They have an entire legal department dedicated to fighting cases like yours. They’ll drag things out, make you doubt yourself, and hope you just give up.

They’re counting on you not knowing how the game is played.

When you work with me, I start fighting for you from day one. I know exactly what evidence to demand — body camera footage, arrest paperwork, witness statements, surveillance recordings, NYPD disciplinary records. I know which records the NYPD will try to lose and how to get them anyway through FOIL requests. I submit every form to every court before deadlines expire.

Just as importantly, I become your shield. You won’t have to deal with intimidating phone calls from city lawyers. You won’t have to second-guess whether you’re handling things correctly. You won’t walk into any meeting or deposition alone.

The truth is, waiting only makes things harder. Evidence gets deleted. Witnesses become impossible to find. Body camera footage disappears within 90 days. And the law puts strict time limits on when you can file.

Let me handle the legal battle while you focus on putting your life back together.

The Clock Is Already Ticking Act Now

I need you to understand something crucial: the law gives you a very small window to take legal action in New York City.

When you’re suing the City of New York or the NYPD, you have only 90 days from the date of the incident to file a Notice of Claim under New York General Municipal Law Section 50-e. Ninety days. If you miss this deadline, the city can throw out your entire case before you ever get your day in court.

After filing your Notice of Claim, you have 1 year and 90 days to file the actual lawsuit in state court. For federal civil rights claims under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983, you have 3 years — and no Notice of Claim is required.

I know what you’re thinking. Ninety days sounds like plenty of time. But I’ve watched countless people with strong cases lose everything because they waited too long. They were dealing with injuries. They were fighting criminal charges. They were just trying to survive.

The law doesn’t care about your circumstances. These deadlines are absolute.

Don’t give the city an easy way to deny you justice. Contact me today so we can preserve your rights before time runs out.

Let's Fight Back Together

What happened to you was wrong. You’ve suffered real harm, and someone needs to be held accountable.

Don’t let intimidation or doubt keep you from taking action. I’m ready to hear your story, review what happened, and fight for the compensation you deserve — and you won’t pay anything unless I win.

Why Choose Lovelace Law

I’m not like other civil rights lawyers in NYC. Before I started representing victims, I spent 8 years as an NYPD detective and 2 years as a Bronx prosecutor. I know exactly how the department operates and how they try to cover up misconduct.

Former NYPD Detective & Bronx Prosecutor

I understand how officers write reports to justify bad actions. I spent 2 years as a prosecutor in the Bronx watching how cases get built — and buried. I know what evidence exists, where they hide it, and how to get it.

100% Success Rate

I have a 100% success rate in recovering compensation for clients to date because I only take cases I know I can win. When I commit to your case, I am committed to victory.

No Financial Risk to You

I work on contingency — you pay nothing upfront and nothing unless we win. All the risk is on me.

Citywide Coverage

I represent clients throughout all five boroughs — Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. With offices in Long Island City and Manhattan, I am close to the communities I serve and the courthouses where I fight.

I switched sides because I saw too many good people destroyed by a system that protects bad cops. Now I use everything I learned on the inside to fight for people the system tried to silence.

If you’ve been hurt by police misconduct, wrongful arrest, or civil rights violations anywhere in New York City — I want to help.

Serving All Five Boroughs

Queens

Representing victims of false arrest, police brutality, and civil rights violations throughout Queens County — including Jamaica, Flushing, Astoria, Jackson Heights, and surrounding areas.

Brooklyn

Representing victims of false arrest, police brutality, and racial profiling throughout Brooklyn — including Crown Heights, Flatbush, East New York, Brownsville, and Bed-Stuy.

The Bronx

Representing victims of false arrest and police misconduct throughout the Bronx — including South Bronx, Fordham, Concourse, and surrounding areas.

Manhattan

Representing victims of false arrest, police brutality, and civil rights violations throughout Manhattan — including Harlem, East Harlem, Washington Heights, and the Lower East Side.

Frequently Asked Question

Can I file a civil rights claim if I'm not a U.S. citizen?

Yes, absolutely. The Constitution protects everyone in the United States regardless of citizenship or immigration status. If police violated your rights in New York City, you can file a civil rights lawsuit. Whether you are undocumented, have a visa, a green card, or are a citizen — the Fourth Amendment protects you from illegal searches and arrests. Courts have consistently upheld these protections for non-citizens.

What civil rights violations can I sue the NYPD for?

You can sue the NYPD and the City of New York for false arrest, wrongful arrest, police brutality, excessive force, illegal search and seizure, racial profiling, malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, and First Amendment retaliation — such as being arrested for filming police. These claims can be brought under New York State law and under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 in federal court.

How much does it cost to hire a civil rights attorney in NYC?

Nothing upfront. Lovelace Law PLLC handles all civil rights cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win. My fee comes out of the settlement or verdict. There are no hourly rates, no retainers, and no upfront costs. Justice should not be reserved for people who can afford expensive lawyers.

Can I sue if I was arrested but the charges were dropped?

Yes — and a dropped or dismissed charge actually strengthens your false arrest claim. It suggests the arrest lacked legal basis from the start. You may also have a malicious prosecution claim if charges were filed without probable cause and later terminated in your favor.

What is qualified immunity and does it affect my case?

Qualified immunity is a legal defense that shields police officers from personal liability unless they violated a clearly established constitutional right. It is a major obstacle in civil rights cases — but not insurmountable. I focus heavily on municipal liability claims against the City of New York under Monell v. Department of Social Services, which is not protected by qualified immunity. In 2021, New York City also banned qualified immunity for excessive force cases in NYC civil court.

How long will my NYC civil rights case take?

Most civil rights cases in New York City take between 18 months and 3 years from start to finish. Strong evidence — especially body camera footage — often leads to faster settlements. If the city does not offer fair compensation, we go to trial. Throughout the process I will keep you fully informed at every stage.

What is the deadline to file a civil rights claim in NYC?

You must file a Notice of Claim against the City of New York within 90 days of the incident under NY General Municipal Law Section 50-e. After that you have 1 year and 90 days to file your lawsuit in state court. Federal Section 1983 claims have a 3-year statute of limitations with no Notice of Claim required. These deadlines are absolute — missing them permanently bars your case.

Who is Kawan Lovelace?

Kawan Lovelace is the founder of Lovelace Law PLLC and a civil rights attorney admitted to practice in New York State. He served 8 years as an NYPD detective and 2 years as a Bronx prosecutor before dedicating his practice to representing victims of false arrest, police brutality, racial profiling, and civil rights violations across New York City. Lovelace Law PLLC was founded in 2021 with offices in Long Island City, Queens and Manhattan.

Contact an Experienced Queens Civil Rights Attorney

You deserve someone who’ll fight for your dignity and make the NYPD answer for what they did. I won’t stop until you get justice. Free consultation. No fees unless we win.