2018 YEAR IN REVIEW

LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS BOSTON Table of Contents

Mission & History 2

Message from the Executive Director 3

Intake Statistics 6 BOSTON MUST Voting Rights 7 BECOME A Fighting for Immigrant Communities 9 TESTING Economic Justice Project 11 GROUND FOR Police Accountability 13 THE IDEALS OF Employment 15 FREEDOM. Education 16 Medical Legal Partnership 19

50th Anniversary Celebration Supporters & Sponsors 24

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Edward J. Barshak Fund for Justice 26

BizGrow 2018 27

Board of Directors 30

Member Firms and Organizations 32

Congressional Resolution Honors LCR 33

Boston City Council Resolution Honors LCR 35

Timeline & Case History 36

Staff, Volunteers & Interns 40 Mission & History Message from the Executive Director Our organization is a leading hub for litigation, advocacy, and resistance to discrimination. Entrenched injustice requires 21st century solutions. To stay current, we evolve. This year, in celebration of our 50th Anniversary, It’s a new day at LCR! we are reinvigorating our powerful foundations and breaking new ground. Over the past year, to further guide our work and ensure its sus- We are excited to announce that the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights tainability, our organization embarked on a comprehensive strategic and Economic Justice is now Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR). planning and rebranding process. With the help of many of our key Lawyers for Civil Rights fosters equal opportunity and fights discrimi- constituents, we produced a dynamic vision for driving the organiza- nation on behalf of people of color and immigrants. We engage in creative tion forward as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary in 2018. and courageous legal action, education, and advocacy in collaboration Our name has changed, but our commitment to fighting discrimi- with law firms and community partners. nation remains unchanged. We know that modern-day advocacy must Our organization was founded in 1968 in the midst of riots, the after- be nimble, innovative, bold, and exciting. Our work is life-changing math of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the findings and law-changing. of the Kerner Commission concluding that the nation was “moving toward Every day, our legal warriors are in the trenches litigating ground- two societies. One Black, one White – separate and unequal.” breaking cases, engaging in innovative policy advocacy, leading With funding and pro bono legal services contributed by Boston law comprehensive community education and outreach, spearheading firms, the organization became the first of eight independent local affili- community economic development, and partnering with law firms and ates of the Washington, D.C.-based Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights community groups to further the cause of civil rights. Every day, we Under Law, a national organization formed at the request of President bring people together to promote equal opportunity. Every day, we John F. Kennedy to enlist the private bar in providing legal representation fight discrimination. to address racial discrimination. From desegregating Boston’s public schools and public housing In 1973, we became the first pro bono project of the Boston Bar Asso- projects to our ongoing work to eradicate discrimination in the work- ciation and the only Lawyers’ Committee affiliate in the nation directly place, we are a catalyst for justice and equality. We are building on our connected with a major bar association. Although the organization is now rich legacy, expanding our work to make it even more diverse, inclu- separately incorporated with its own 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, we sive, visible, and impactful. continue to maintain strong ties to the private bar in Boston. Our staff, Board of Directors, law firm partners, community allies, Membership by private law firms still forms the working foundation of and supporters are working in concert to move the struggle for civil our organization. Member law firms fund a significant part of our annual rights from the streets to the courtroom. Together, we are providing operating expenses and provide millions of dollars in pro bono legal ser- free legal services to individuals and small businesses in communities vices by working closely with the organization. In this way, for decades, that are often deprived of justice because of barriers such as race, we have harnessed the resources and talent of Boston’s leading law firms language, and national origin. to secure and protect the civil rights of Massachusetts residents. Thank you for celebrating the legacy and future of civil rights! Over the years, our organization has also grown, adding new projects Here’s to moving forward – without fail and without fear. and initiatives to respond to the changing face of discrimination. While working closely with an ever-increasing number of diverse community partners, we remain true to our core mission to challenge and eradicate all Iván Espinoza-Madrigal, Esq. forms of discrimination. Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR) The struggle continues, but the future is bright. Lawyers for Civil Rights will continue advancing justice and equality for decades to come.

2 3 4 Intake Statistics Voting Rights

As LCR enters its fiftieth year, the number of community members seek- Voting Rights Lawsuit Against Election Protection ing our legal assistance continues to grow. We serve some of the most Lowell, Massachusetts The 2018 Massachusetts state vulnerable populations in the Commonwealth, providing representation, In May 2017, together with our pro elections spotlighted the most di- counsel, advice, and referrals in a variety of civil practice areas. bono allies at Ropes & Gray, we verse slate of political leaders that filed a federal voting rights lawsuit the Commonwealth has ever seen. on behalf of a diverse coalition of In response to the swell of voters, Asian-American and Latinx resi- LCR led a critical nonpartisan voter dents of Lowell, alleging that the protection campaign to ensure that Intake Statistics city’s municipal election system every eligible voter in the Com- discriminates against communi- monwealth had equal access to the ties of color. ballot box. According to the lawsuit, the Our campaign, Massachusetts use of citywide at-large elections Election Protection, included a for all seats on the Lowell City state-wide toll-free hotline and a Council and Lowell School Com- comprehensive field program. The mittee dilutes the voting power of hotline, housed at and supported minority voters in Lowell, violating by WilmerHale, was staffed by the federal Voting Rights Act, as volunteer attorneys from our mem- well as the U.S. Constitution. The ber firms. Calls were answered complaint sets forth how although throughout Election Day, providing the city is approximately 49% mi- eligible voters with the assistance nority, both its nine-member City they needed in real-time to ensure Council and its six-member School their ability to vote. The compre- 285 404 601 780 939 Committee have been virtually hensive field program, consisting 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 all-white for all of Lowell’s histo- of more than 200 volunteers, mar- ry. In an at-large winner-take-all shalled support to communities system such as Lowell’s, 51% of the of color throughout the Common- electorate can control 100% of the wealth and served as the eyes and seats and win every election. ears for the Election Protection White Other Immigrant Justice The case is currently pending command staff. Our partners in Asian Employment in federal district court, where this effort included: ACLU of Mas- Disability / the judge has already rejected sachusetts, Anti-Defamation 76 42 2 4 Benefits 67 6 the City’s motion to dismiss. The League, Common Cause Mas- 8 4 9 8 lawsuit is believed to be the first of sachusetts, MassVOTE, and the 5

2018 Intake 2018 Intake

2 6 5 its kind in the country to be filed on League of Women Voters.

Demographics Education

9 Breakdown

2

3

2 behalf of a coalition of Asian-Amer-

2

1 6

0 7 Black 1 ican and Latinx residents. Latinx Criminal Justice Housing and Policing

6 7 Fighting for Immigrant Communities

Automatic Voter Registration triumphed again, ushering in legislation to Since the 2016 election, immi- the Supreme Court’s ruling on the LCR is a member of the Election Modern- create Automatic Voter Registration (AVR). grants in the United States are in Trump Administration’s “trav- ization Coalition (EMC), a small cohort of AVR will ensure that the 700,000 people in a more precarious position than el ban” and provides a model of organizations committed to modernizing the Commonwealth who are not registered to ever. With increased raids, a per- creative litigation aimed at holding the electoral process so that more eligible vote, a majority of whom reside in urban areas vasive climate of fear, and threats those in the highest echelons of individuals can register, vote, and have their with high levels of poverty, become registered to life saving programs like Tem- power to account. voices heard. EMC has made significant ac- with ease. LCR and the rest of the coalition porary Protected Status (TPS), complishments, including a successful drive are now providing their expertise and insight the fight for immigrant rights is Challenging Illegal Detentions that resulted in 2014 legislation establish- to advise on the proper implementation of front and center. LCR continues In March 2018, LCR, along with our ing state-wide early voting. This year, EMC AVR throughout the Commonwealth. to aggressively and strategically pro bono partners from Latham & advocate on behalf of immigrant Watkins LLP, filed Rivas v. Hodg- communities and to develop son, a federal lawsuit to hold Bris- creative responses to meet new tol County’s rogue sheriff, Thomas challenges. Hodgson, accountable for his anti-immigrant policies and prac- Protecting Temporary tices, and for the illegal detention Protected Status of our client. Our lawsuit—brought In February 2018, LCR, along with on behalf of a young immigrant our pro bono partners from Cho- father from El Salvador—seeks ate, Hall & Stewart LLP, filed damages and policy changes from Centro Presente v. Trump, the first Bristol County after they held our lawsuit challenging the termina- client in jail, solely because of his tion of TPS for immigrants from immigration status. This imprison- El Salvador, Haiti, and Hondu- ment was deeply damaging, and ras. TPS is a humanitarian pro- clearly in violation of established gram that provides immigration law. Our lawsuit seeks to recti- protection for individuals from fy this harm and create a future designated countries that have where such injustices can no lon- experienced armed conflict, natu- ger be carried out. ral disasters, or other extenuating circumstances. Our federal law- Ensuring Access to Justice suit—brought on behalf of Centro and Resources Presente, Haitian Americans After hearing about a rise in Immi- United, and brave individuals with gration and Customs Enforcement TPS—challenges the terminations (ICE) officers stalking courthouses as discriminatory and violative of and arresting immigrants, LCR the Equal Protection and Due Pro- filed public records request to cess Clauses of the U.S. Constitu- determine the extent and gravity tion as well as the Administrative of the problem. We found aston- Procedures Act (APA). Our lawsuit ishing data detailing arrests at has already set meaningful prec- twenty-four different courthous- edent as the first case to narrow es across the Commonwealth. In

8 9 Economic Justice Project

March 2018, LCR, in partnership with the Center, to reunite families in Boston. We The Economic Justice Project Individual Representation Committee for Public Counsel Services then went to Honduras to meet with parents (EJP) provides minority, immi- Through the generous pro bono and Greater Boston Legal Services, filed who had already been deported without grant, and low-income entrepre- work of our partner law firms, we a first-of-its-kind petition in Massachusetts’ their children and worked with DLA Piper to neurs and small business owners match small business owners with highest court asking for a writ of protection reunite children still detained in the U.S. with with free legal assistance, busi- attorneys who provide them with to block ICE from arresting immigrants in and parents they thought they would never see ness support, and education. EJP free transactional legal assistance around courthouses. Our petition, Matter of again. Understanding the human toll that furthers our vision of economic that they need for the business to C. Doe and Others, filed on behalf of immi- this policy had taken on the over 2500 chil- empowerment in disadvantaged grow and succeed. Common small grants who need access to the courts but are dren who were separated from their families, communities by helping individ- business concerns include, entity chilled because of ICE presence—such as of in September 2018, LCR along with our pro uals develop sustainable busi- registration and formation, con- a woman who wanted to seek a restraining bono partners at Nixon Peabody, Todd & nesses and achieve economic tract issues, intellectual property, order but could not because of fear of ICE Weld LLP, Demissie & Church, and The self-sufficiency. By connecting tax, and employment issues. detention—seeks to ensure access to jus- Law Offices of Jeff Goldman filed K.O. v. entrepreneurs to law firms pro- tice by protecting those individuals and the Sessions, a groundbreaking damages class viding pro bono legal services, Educational Programming courts themselves from federal immigration action on behalf of all children separated we are closing the opportunity We help to close the opportunity enforcement. Our initial petition was denied from their families and detained as part of gap. In 2018, we served over 550 gap by connecting minority entre- in the Single Justice session, but the Court the crisis. Primarily, the complaint demands entrepreneurs and small business preneurs with the information they acknowledged the privilege against civil that the government establish a fund dedi- owners throughout the Common- need to effectively operate and immigration arrest in courts and recognized cated to repairing the mental health trauma wealth. Over half of these busi- sustain their small business. Part- the breadth and depth of the problem. The that the children experienced and continue nesses are women-owned, and nering with Latham & Watkins case garnered strong support from a wide to live with. approximately 90% are minori- and Roxbury Community Col- coalition of community organizations, District ty-owned. These businesses are lege we held three sessions of our Attorneys, the defense bar, and civil rights Community Engagement the economic engines fueling the 10-week seminar for new business organizations. We continue to seek ways to To combat the intense climate of fear present growth of our Commonwealth. owners, Create Your Own Job. highlight the deeply problematic practice of in immigrant communities, LCR conduct- ICE arrests in and around courthouses and to ed dozens of community legal education challenge these practices in court. trainings and clinics in the heart of Massa- chusetts’ immigrant communities. Subjects Standing with Immigrant Families of our know your rights trainings included: Small Businesses Served This year, the Trump Administration enact- knowing your rights when confronted by ed its devastating family separation policy. an ICE agent, changes in asylum law, REAL Thousands of children were torn from the ID, TPS, public charge, courthouse arrests, arms of their parents and placed in deten- and many more. We also conducted legal tion centers across the country. LCR imme- clinics with community partners such as the diately responded by filing litigation along Chelsea Collaborative and with pro bono with our pro bono partners WilmerHale support from Fragomen to ensure holistic and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP and in support for immigrant communities. collaboration with the Brazilian Workers’

54 220 398 551 2015 2016 2017 2018

10 11 Police Accountability

Designed to introduce fundamental business Boston is among the long list of •• In February 2018, LCR legal topics to aspiring entrepreneurs, this cities that have witnessed vio- and our pro bono counsel seminar offers classes on entity formation, lence against communities of color from Birnbaum & Godkin, business planning, networking, marketing, by police. One tragic example received a favorable decision and e-commerce. occurred in October 2016, when from the Suffolk Superior Court We also held three sessions of our Access Boston police officers shot and limiting the use of continued to Business Law workshop series. These 10- killed Terence Coleman, a young without a finding (“CWOF”) week workshops are structured to tackle vari- BizGrow Black man with mental illness, matters in civil service hiring, a ous types of legal issues that small business- On June 20, 2018 we held BizGrow, our after his mother Hope Coleman significant ruling to curb the use es face while operating and growing. Weekly annual small business conference. Held at called 911 for medical assistance. of criminal record information workshops cover topics such as employment Suffolk Law School, BizGrow is a full-day In April 2018, LCR, with pro bono in hiring decisions which has law, taxes, intellectual property, leasing, and technical assistance conference for minority, counsel from Fick & Marx LLP, a disproportionate impact on financing. These workshops are taught by pro immigrant, and women entrepreneurs and filed a federal civil rights lawsuit to communities of color. The Civil bono attorneys from leading law firms such small business owners/ Thanks to our spon- hold the involved officers and med- Service Commission is already as Morgan Lewis, WilmerHale, Goodwin, sors and to the many pro bono attorneys who ical personnel accountable, and citing to this ruling as a basis for Nixon Peabody, and Latham & Watkins. participated, the event was tremendously to demand the creation of proper reversing the unlawful bypass In addition to these classroom style work- successful. Approximately 150 small busi- policies and protocols for accom- decisions of other applicants. shops, EJP held five free legal clinics where ness owners and entrepreneurs attended 20 modating disabled individuals in over 50 entrepreneurs and small business workshops on business and legal issues led emergency situations. •• LCR also represents a Black owners had the opportunity to consult with by industry experts. Each entrepreneur also In addition to addressing in- man who was bypassed for the attorneys who specialize in small business had an opportunity to meet one-on-one with cidents of police brutality and position of police officer be- issues and ask specific questions relating to attorneys specializing in a variety of small misconduct, LCR’s growing po- cause of an arrest when he was their small business. These unique opportu- business concerns, including entity forma- lice accountability practice also a teen. The client has no crim- nities help small businesses get the answers tion, intellectual property, commercial leas files cutting-edge litigation to inal record and has served in a they need quickly and allow them to immedi- review, and tax concerns. enhance diversity in public safety law enforcement capacity for ately implement the best course of action. agencies. Social science research Boston College and the Boston EJP continues to assist food entrepre- proves that enhancing diversity is Housing Authority for more neurs through its unique accelerator Food critical to decreasing the tension than 15 years. At a two-day Biz 101. In partnership with Goodwin and between minority and immigrant hearing before the Civil Service CommonWealth Kitchen, Food Biz 101 is a communities and police depart- Commission, LCR presented a 13-week seminar designed to assist aspiring ments. One of the key ways in slew of evidence demonstrating food entrepreneurs launch their businesses. which police departments hinder that the Boston Police Depart- In addition to general business legal topics diversity and damage community ment arbitrarily weighs stale such as entity formation and contracts, this trust is by “bypassing” candidates criminal history records in their seminar covers food-specific topics such as of color who apply to be police employment decisions. food safety, recipe scaling, pricing, and label- officers—i.e. removing them from ing regulations. The accelerator culminates in the civil service list in favor of low- a pitch night where participants have the op- er-ranking candidates. To combat portunity to present their business to a panel this problematic practice, the LCR of experts and formally launch their business, bypass docket includes: making their dreams a reality.

12 13 Employment

LCR continues to be a staunch advocate for those experiencing discrimi- nation in the workplace. In December 2017, LCR and our pro bono counsel from Fair Work, P.C. filed a landmark sexual harassment lawsuit against McCormick & Schmick’s, a prominent national restaurant chain, on behalf of five low-wage immigrant women who were subjected to sexual harass- ment in the workplace, effectively expanding #MeToo to #YoTambien. In October 2018, LCR and our pro bono counsel from Pontikes Law, LLC, filed a religious discrimination lawsuit on behalf of a practicing Catholic immigrant after he experienced repeated retaliation by his em- ployer for engaging in prayer on his breaks and for advocating for his right to observe the Sabbath. These cases represent a continuation of LCR’s work to protect the most vulnerable sectors of workers, many of whom are immigrants with limited resources. In other employment matters, LCR and our pro bono counsel from Birnbaum & Godkin successfully resolved a long-standing workplace discrimination lawsuit on behalf of a Black social worker who was unlaw- fully terminated from the METCO program in Lexington in retaliation for her advocacy on behalf of Black students and her complaints regarding disparate discipline. During the litigation, Lexington has ushered in a •• In June 2018, LCR began representation of Service Commission investigation into the series of professional trainings and workshops regarding cultural compe- another Black man, one of sixty (60) ap- negative impact that military residency pref- tency and implicit bias. plicants who the Civil Service Commission erences have on Boston’s veterans of color. LCR also continues its advocacy to address the barriers faced by em- found were deprived of their legal appeal Co-counseling with Fair Work, P.C., we also ployees of color working within the Massachusetts Trial Courts. As a result rights by the Boston Police Department. successfully settled discrimination cases for of a successful public records lawsuit, we gained access to data showing LCR and the Massachusetts Attorney two Black former Brookline Police officers. significant disparities in the Court’s workforce. There are over 1,000 court General’s Office are advocating to uphold Finally, our long-running Title VII case officer personnel serving courthouses across the state, but fewer than 7% the Commission’s decision before the Suf- against the Boston Police Department re- are women of color, which is not representative of the demographics of the folk Superior Court to ensure that our client garding the discriminatory “hair test” for state as a whole. Representation in supervisory positions is even lower. and other candidates of color receive a fair drug use went to trial in federal district Partly due to this under-representation, many court officers find them- hiring process. court in 2018, led by an amazing pro bono selves working within a toxic environment. For example, in December team from WilmerHale. The case has been 2017, LCR filed a complaint o n behalf of a Black female court officer who LCR also continues its advocacy to eliminate appealed to the First Circuit twice, where was called the “N-word” by a Chief Court Officer of the Supreme Judicial barriers to diversity for Black, Latinx, and plaintiffs secured reversals of adverse trial Court, and mistreated when she reported the behavior. Due to the ongo- Asian police officers and firefighters through court rulings each time. At trial this year, we ing and systemic issues that we identified, we requested a Department of work focused on the proper implementation demonstrated that the hair test is scientifi- Justice investigation into the Court’s employment practices. of residency preferences, language certifica- cally unreliable and results in false positives tions, and other civil service requirements. particularly for Black officers, due to their hair This year, on behalf of our organizational texture and grooming practices. Moreover, clients, the Massachusetts Association BPD had a less discriminatory alternative of Minority Law Enforcement Officers available—using the hair test in conjunction (MAMLEO), the Boston Society of Vulcans, with urinalysis—but refused to adopt it. The and a host of individuals, we requested a Civil case is currently under submission.

14 15 Education

Since filing Morgan v. Hennigan, Boston’s national Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Protecting the Educational school-to-deportation pipeline, school desegregation case, LCR has worked Rights Under Law, continue our represen- Rights of Undocumented but Boston refused to comply. to protect the civil and educational rights of tation of students of color in Students for Fair Students LCR and the students’ rights Massachusetts students. Today, LCR con- Admissions v. Harvard, a lawsuit challenging Thirty-five years ago, the U.S. Su- groups filed their initial public re- tinues its fight for equal educational rights Harvard’s use of race in its admissions poli- preme Court ruled in Plyler v. Doe cords request upon learning of an by advocating for fair school discipline, cy. The suit was brought by the same group that undocumented students have East Boston High School student promoting racial equity in school admission behind the unsuccessful challenges to affir- a “fundamental interest” in a pub- who was deported based on the and funding, and protecting the educational mative action in the U.S. Supreme Court’s lic education that cannot be denied report of a run-of-the-mill school rights of undocumented students. Fisher v. Texas case. The matter went to trial on the basis of immigration status. incident that was shared by Bos- in the U.S. District Court in October 2018. Amidst the panic sparked by feder- ton School Police with ICE via the Fostering Racial Diversity at Boston Latin We were granted leave from the Court to give al executive orders on immigration BRIC. The report concerned an School and Preserving it at Harvard opening and closing statements at trial, and enforcement and a raid targeting incident in which “two students Boston’s exam schools, the top schools in our to present student witnesses who testified Massachusetts, the rights protect- attempted to start a fight but were city, have long been held out as the mer- firsthand about the importance of diversity in ed by Plyler are being threatened. unsuccessful.” The matter was it-based means of upward mobility for the higher education. Thanks to research conducted resolved without any physical children of Boston’s working-class families. by Choate, Hall & Stewart, LCR altercation: “School administra- But when our recent complaint on racial ha- Ensuring School Funding Equity for has been providing technical legal tors along with school police spoke rassment at Boston Latin School (BLS) con- Students of Color, Students with assistance to schools and agencies with all the students involved and firmed a federal civil rights violation, many Disabilities, and English Learners working to protect and fulfill stu- mediated this incident.” questioned when and how Boston’s exam LCR represented students of color, students dents’ Plyler rights. Nonetheless, the report, cou- schools, particularly BLS, came to look so dif- with disabilities, and English language learn- In 2018, LCR and a coalition pled with an unsubstantiated gang ferent from the rest of Boston Public Schools ers, together with the New England Area of students’ rights groups, to- allegation, was subsequently sent (BPS) in terms of the students they serve. Conference of the NAACP, NAACP - Bos- gether with Morgan Lewis, filed by Boston School Police to the LCR subsequently released A Broken Mir- ton Branch, and the Boston Education a lawsuit against Boston Public BRIC, a network of local, state, and ror: Exam School Admissions Fail to Reflect Justice Alliance in Doe v. Peyser, a lawsuit Schools to obtain public records federal law enforcement agencies, Boston’s Diversity, together with the NAACP that sought to eliminate Massachusetts’ cap that are being improperly withheld which includes ICE, and was used – Boston Branch, Massachusetts Advo- on charter schools. We successfully argued regarding its disturbing practice as evidence against the student in cates for Children, the Black Educators for dismissal of the suit at the Superior Court of sharing student information deportation proceedings. Immi- Alliance of Massachusetts, and the ACLU level, a ruling that was upheld in 2018 by the with federal immigration officials, grant families and children are now of Massachusetts. The report highlights Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. An- including ICE via the Boston Re- living in fear. Our lawsuit seeks to disparities in exam school admission along derson & Krieger, our pro bono partner on gional Intelligence Center (BRIC). uncover documents that would race and neighborhood lines and calls for the case, presented oral argument before the The Massachusetts Supervisor shed further light on this disturb- citywide review of our exam school admis- Supreme Judicial Court, explaining that the of Records already ordered BPS ing school practice. sions policy. In 2018, LCR and our partners cap was necessary to preserve educational to disclose records related to this held public forums on exam school admis- opportunities for students in traditional public sions across Boston’s neighborhoods so that schools, citing evidence that charter schools we, as a city, can develop better means for divert millions of dollars from traditional pub- valuing and evaluating all of our students. lic schools each year, yet serve proportion- Meanwhile, LCR, together with our pro ately far fewer students with disabilities and bono partners at Arnold & Porter, Asian English language learners and impose harsh- Americans Advancing Justice, and the er discipline on students of color.

16 17 Medical Legal Partnership

Student Discipline Since 2003, LCR has partnered with Massachusetts General Hospital to In 2018, LCR issued a comprehensive report •• Discipline rates have dropped for all provide legal assistance to patients at the HealthCare Center in Chelsea. examining the state of school discipline in students, but progress has plateaued. Working on-site, LCR receives referrals from healthcare providers who Massachusetts. The report, Unfinished Busi- identify patients with critical legal needs. The focus is on the most vulner- ness, shows that while measurable progress •• Black and Latinx students, students with able patients, including those with disabilities and those threatened with has been made in reducing school suspen- disabilities, and English language learners eviction or wrongfully denied public benefits. In collaboration with the sions over the past several years, this prog- disproportionately lose class time for health care team, LCR engages in a broad range of advocacy: represent- ress has plateaued, and our most vulnerable discipline, often for minor incidents. ing patients in court; negotiating with recalcitrant landlords; advocating students remain disproportionately affected. before administrative agencies for public benefits—all with the aim of In particular, Black and Latinx students, stu- •• While charter school discipline rates have improving health outcomes by addressing related legal needs. dents with disabilities, and English language dropped significantly, charters remain learners are still far more likely than their among the highest disciplining schools, Expanded Services in 2018 peers to lose class time for discipline, espe- along with alternative schools, therapeutic In 2017, we expanded the services of our Medical Legal Partnership. An cially for more minor incidents. day schools, and, in general, schools in LCR attorney now meets with clients on two days a week instead of one. Massachusetts public schools began sev- Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley. This expansion comes at a critical time, when our clients are facing in- eral years ago to implement Chapter 222, a creased confusion, fear, and uncertainty. Rents in Chelsea and neighbor- law to reduce reliance on exclusionary school •• Due to off-the-books suspensions, school- ing communities have doubled. Landlords are refusing Section 8 vouch- discipline. Massachusetts did so with good based arrests, and other types of removal, ers preferring to rent to market rate tenants. reason: being suspended predicts dropping Massachusetts’ disciplinary data does not At the same time, the political climate is also deeply unsettling for our out, and almost two-thirds of the state’s out- tell the whole story on school discipline. clients. Those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) fear losing their of-school suspensions from the prior year right to live and work in the United States. Vulnerable families are afraid to were for minor incidents—the cause for which We will continue to work with our community go to immigration appointments or to risk encountering ICE on the court- Black and Latinx students were most likely to allies, and in the courts, to preserve equal house steps. Immigrant families applying for a green card are fearful of be suspended. Our 2018 report examines a educational opportunity for our state’s most being labeled “public charges.” They have already started withdrawing wealth of data collected since that time, and vulnerable populations. claims for disability, closing their public benefits accounts, and dropping makes the following key findings: off the wait list for Section 8 and public housing. As we challenge these conditions through impact litigation (see Immigration section), we are assisting individual families as well:

•• In 2018, we have handled over •W• e helped 14 families avoid evic- 540 appointments, involving 328 tion after negotiation with land- new clients and claims. lords, and 7 additional families obtained affordable housing. •W• e secured and protected dis- ability benefits for 54 children •• We assisted 13 persons in be- and adults, bringing much-need- coming naturalized U.S. citizens, ed economic support to low-in- and have an additional 16 appli- come households. cations pending.

18 19 LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS CALLS FOR DIVERSITY IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION Congratulations to the According to the ABA, Lawyers’ Committee for 49 years We also secured 5 guardianships for incapacitated adults and are obtain- 86% of all lawyers are White, ing child support orders against non-custodial fathers. Together with our combating discrimination. partners at MGH, we are addressing the complex interactions between less than 5% are Black, race, immigration status, poverty, healthcare, and the law. only 5% are Latino, Medical Legal Partnership 2018 and only 4% are Asian. 23

New Clients Less than 36% are women.

Other Middle Latinx Male Eastern 1 40 1 Southeast 5 0 1 Asian 5 2 1

Race/

Gender 0

1 Ethinicity

8 7

5 1 2 African/ Black Female

Lead Paint Lawsuit Settlement on Behalf of Disabled Child During a routine pediatric visit at the HealthCare Center, three-year- old Naomi was found to have an extremely elevated blood lead level, 12 times the level of concern determined by the CDC. Naomi was hospital- ized for five days, followed by painful chelation therapy. She was living in an apartment in Everett where lead inspectors had found numerous accessible hazards both inside and outside the multifamily house. Ten months after the inspection, Naomi was already showing signs of speech delay and aggressive impulsivity, but no de-leading had taken place, no other family in the building had been notified, and no penalties had been imposed on the owner. Healthcare providers referred the case to our Medical Legal Partner- ship, and LCR worked in concert with a private attorney to file suit against the property owner on behalf of Naomi. After a year of litigation and a year of negotiations, a settlement was reached to establish a special needs trust for the child’s benefit. The trust will eventually provide $150,000.00 for Naomi’s health, education, and well-being. LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS BOSTON

20 22 50th Anniversary Celebration Supporters & Sponsors

Underwriter ($50,000 or higher) Champions ($5,000) Friends ($1,000) WilmerHale Richard Belin Anonymous; Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts; Anonymous Boston Bar Association Birnbaum & Godkin; Jay Bothwick; Mike Bongiorno; Mark Borden; Boston The Boston Foundation College Law School; Boston Private; Sean Boulger; David Bowman; Donna Brown Rudnick Brewer; William Caporizzo; Steve Churchill & Rosemarie Day; John Clymer; Honorary Circle ($25,000) Thomas Dougherty Juan Concepcion; Lisa & Craig Danetz; Linda Davidson; Demeo LLP; Felicia Foley Hoag Eastern Bank Ellsworth; Episcopal City Mission; Joseph D. Feaster, Jr.; Mark Fleming; Goodwin LLP John Hancock Lauren Fletcher; Goulston & Storrs; G.T. Reilly & Company; Daniel Halston; Hyams Foundation William Horne Michael Heyison; Fiona & Joe Horning; Yalonda Howze; Belinda Juran; Bill Lee MAMLEO Gary Klein; Peter Kolovos; Krokidas & Bluestein; Lawson & Weitzen; Hal Lisa Pirozzolo MGH Center for Community Health Improvement Leibowitz; Andrew Leong; Lichten & Liss-Riordan P.C.; Eric Marandett; Thomas Mela Lia Der Marderosian; Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association; Mintz Levin Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation; MassPort; Denzil D. McKenzie; Patron Circle ($20,000) Jody Newman MetroHousing; Frank Michelman; Joseph Mueller; Susan Murley; Nixon Peabody State Street Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart; William Paine; Mark & Melanie Tufts Health Plan Pearlstein; Kevin Prussia; Quincy Geneva Housing Corp.; John Regan; Andrea Robinson; Sillerman Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy Leadership Circle ($15,000) at Brandeis University; Monica Shah; John Sigel; Steven Singer; Robert & Hogan Lovells Partners ($2,500) Beth Smith; Don Steinberg; Laura Steinberg; Louis Tompros; Michael G. Latham & Watkins Anna Dodson Tracy & Judith Bernstein Tracy; Eric Van Loon; Cynthia Vreeland; Michael Boston Society of Vulcans Watkins; Toni G. Wolfman Casner & Edwards Visionary ($10,000) Citrix Anderson & Kreiger Fair Work P.C. Choate, Hall & Stewart Holland & Knight Vinita Ferrera Inez Friedman-Boyce Poppi Georges-Massey Locke Lord David Godkin & Pam Haran Kenneth Parsigian Jim & Patti Messenger Loretta Richard Morgan Lewis Paul & Patricia Riseman Nutter McClennen & Fish Santander Bank Ropes & Gray Scott Lewis Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom Sugarman, Rogers, Barshak & Cohen Sullivan & Worcester Todd & Weld Colin & Olivia Van Dyke

24 25 Edward J. Barshak Fund for Justice

On April 27, 2016, LCR launched a campaign to establish the Edward J. Barshak Fund for Justice to provide dedicated resources for our anti- discrimination work. We plan to replenish the fund when we win cases with attorney fee awards. In this manner, the fund will continue to support our work for decades to come. As of October 12, 2018, we have raised $165,960. We are proud to acknowledge our supporters.

Underwriters ($25,000 or higher) Supporters ($500) Edward J. Barshak Boston Private Sugarman, Rogers, Barshak & Cohen, P.C. Iván Espinoza-Madrigal WilmerHale Seth Riseman Inez H. Friedman-Boyce Paul Holtzman Benefactors ($5,000) Yalonda Howze Amb. Charles Stith & Stith-Hope Fund Scott Lewis MAMLEO Katherine McHugh Patrons ($2,500) Lisa J. Pirozzolo Richard Belin Alan Rogers BizGrow 2018 David Godkin Harvey Wolkoff

Friends ($1,000) We are deeply grateful to all our supporters. We are proud to acknowledge the generous Executive ($2,500) Anonymous We specifically acknowledge the generous support we have received in connection with Eastern Bank Casner & Edwards support of Christopher Armstrong, Navjeet BizGrow, our one day accelerator for small Millennium Partners William Horne Bal, Mary Lu Bilek, Joseph Borsellino, businesses. Nixon Peabody LLP Jody Newman Natasha Boye, Donna Brewer, Kathy Brown, Tufts Health Plan John Regier Michael Churchill, Ralph Cinquegrana, Paul Sugarman Juan Concepción, Linda Davidson, Alan Underwriters ($10,000 or higher) Dershowitz, Fair Work, P.C., Rory FitzPatrick, The Boston Foundation Friends ($1,000) Mark Fleming, Rudolph Kass, Ann Lambert, Santander Bank Boston Impact Initiative LibbyHoopes, P.C., John Lozada, Mauren Suffolk University School of Law Boston Private Mauri, Patricia Melius, Frank Michelman, Anna Dodson Lonnie Powers, John Reinstein, Stuart Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Rossman, Camille Sarrouf, Robert Smith, Premier ($5,000) Local Enterprise Assistance Fund (LEAF) Joseph Steinfeld, Jeffrey Stern, Colin Van Goodwin LLP Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation Dyke, and Toni Wolfman. Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP

26 27 28 Board of Directors

Anita F. Hill Kenneth J. Parsigian Co-Chairs Brandeis University Latham & Watkins, LLP Inez H. Friedman-Boyce Julie R. Bryan Goodwin LLP Casner & Edwards, LLP Paul Holtzman Robert H. Smith Krokidas & Bluestein LLP Suffolk University Lisa J. Pirozzolo Jeffrey N. Catalano School of Law WilmerHale Todd & Weld LLP William A. Horne Laura Steinberg Treasurer Steve Churchill Scott P. Lewis Sullivan & Worcester LLP Loretta R. Richard Fair Work, PC Anderson & Kreiger LLP Ropes & Gray, LLP Colin G. Van Dyke Juan A. Concepción John Lozada Anderson & Kreiger LLP Clerk/Secretary MassDOT/MBTA MassDOT/MBTA Yalonda T. Howze Emeritus Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Linda M. Davidson Matthew R. Lynch Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. The Davidson Law Practice Nixon Peabody LLP Richard M. Bluestein

Directors Wayne F. Dennison Robyn S. Maguire James K. Brown Neil Austin Brown Rudnick LLP Nutter McClennen & Fish Foley Hoag LLP Judith Olans Brown Anna E. Dodson Eric J. Marandett Navjeet K. Bal Goodwin LLP Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP Joseph D. Feaster Social Finance, Inc. Thomas J. Dougherty Daniel Marx John B. French Jacob K. Baron Skadden, Arps, Slate, Fick & Marx LLP Holland & Knight LLP Meagher & Flom LLP Daniel J. Gleason Susan L. Mazur Edward J. Barshak Tiffanie C. Ellis-Niles Latham & Watkins, LLP Hugh R. Jones, Jr. Lyles and Niles, LLP Richard Belin Neil V. McKittrick James J. Marcellino Vinita Ferrera Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Nikolas Bowie WilmerHale Smoak & Stewart, P.C. Frank I. Michelman Harvard Law School Rory FitzPatrick James L. Messenger Cornilius J. Moynihan Jr. David G. Bowman Cetrulo LLP Gordon Rees Scully Morgan, Lewis & Bockius Mansukhani, LLP Richard A. Soden Ana M. Francisco Natasha Z. Boye Foley & Lardner LLP Jody L. Newman Nicholas U. Sommerfeld MassHousing Hogan Lovells LLP David S. Godkin John Taylor “Ike” Williams Donna M. Brewer Birnbaum & Godkin, LLP Alexa H. O’Keefe Miyares & Harrington LLP Nutter McClennen & Fish Harvey J. Wolkoff

30 Massachusetts Lawmakers Introduce Resolution Member Firms and Organizations Honoring Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice

Anderson & Kreiger Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts Bicameral Resolution Marks 50th Anniversary of the Birnbaum & Godkin Lawyers’ Committee’s Boston Affiliate Brown Rudnick Casner & Edwards Washington, DC — United of the fight for equal justice,” ry by the legal warriors at the States Senator Elizabeth War- said Senator Elizabeth Warren. Lawyers’ Committee in Bos- Choate, Hall & Stewart ren and Representative Ste- “The excellent work that the ton that has helped protect the Fair Work phen F. Lynch, along with their Lawyers’ Committee in Boston rights of all Americans. Lawyers’ Foley Hoag colleagues from the Massachu- has done over the past 50 years Committee is doing God’s work setts congressional delegation, to protect the rights of the most every day, and it is time Con- Goodwin Procter today introduced a resolution to vulnerable among us deserves gress recognize them for their Hogan Lovells honor the Lawyers’ Committee recognition in the U.S. Con- accomplishments.” Holland & Knight for Civil Rights and Economic gress, and I am glad to join my “As Dean of the Massachu- Justice. The resolution, which colleagues in introducing this setts Congressional Delega- Krokidas & Bluestein was introduced today in both resolution to express our grati- tion, I am pleased to join my Latham & Watkins chambers of Congress, com- tude to them.” colleagues in support of the Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys memorates the 50th anniversa- “I am honored to join my col- extraordinary work done by the ry of the Lawyers’ Committee for leagues to help recognize the Lawyers Committee’s Boston Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association Civil Rights and Economic Jus- wonderful and positive impact Affiliate for the past 50 years. At Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys tice, the Boston affiliate of the made by the Lawyers’ Commit- this moment in our nation’s his- Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo Washington, D.C.-based Law- tee for Civil Rights and Econom- tory, the American people count yers’ Committee for Civil Rights ic Justice to the advancements on organizations that fight for Morgan Lewis & Bockius Under Law, and recognizes the of civil rights for the past 50 civil rights and economic justice Nixon Peabody organization’s many contribu- years,” said Congressman Ste- every day. The Lawyers Com- Nutter McClennen & Fish tions to the fight for civil rights phen F. Lynch. “It has been a mittee continues to stand up for and equal justice for all. Joining blessing to our society that we the most vulnerable in our soci- Ropes & Gray Senator Warren and Represen- have organizations such the ety and that is why I am proud to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom tative Lynch in sponsoring the Lawyers’ Committee in Boston co-sponsor this important reso- South Asian Bar Association resolution were Senator Edward that will ‘fight the good fight’ to lution today,” said Congressman J. Markey and Representa- protect the Constitutional rights Richard E. Neal. Sugarman, Rogers, Barshak & Cohen tives Richard E. Neal, James P. of all our people.” “Equal justice under law is Sullivan & Worcester McGovern, Michael E. Capuano, “Now more than ever, we not inevitable. It takes hard Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr Niki Tsongas, William Keating, need the Lawyers’ Committee work and perseverance to fight Joseph P. Kennedy III, Katherine to stand up and fight the daily for what’s right,” said Congress- Clark and Seth Moulton. attacks on our justice system man Jim McGovern. “For 50 “With the foundations of our and fight for those who need years, that’s exactly what the democracy under attack every protection the most,” said Sen- Lawyers’ Committee for Civil day, it is critical that we have ator Edward J. Markey. “It is Rights and Economic Justice in organizations such as the Law- the invaluable, irreplaceable Boston has done. Their tireless yers’ Committee at the forefront work over the past half centu- work to oppose discrimination

32 Boston City Council Resolution Honors LCR

and speak out on behalf of dis- “For fifty years, the Lawyers’ •• Contributing to the enact- enfranchised communities is an Committee for Civil Rights and ment of the Voting Rights Act inspiration to us all. I’m so proud Economic Justice has led the of 1965; to join my colleagues in recog- fight for a more inclusive and just •L• eading the nation’s oldest nizing their unwavering commit- America,” said Congresswoman and largest nonpartisan voter ment to justice.” Katherine Clark. “We contin- protection program; “Since its inception, the ue to need their leadership and •• Contributing to the enact- Lawyers’ Committee of Boston righteous advocacy to ensure ment and enforcement of the has set out to ensure that the that we live up to our country’s Fair Housing Act; civil rights and liberties of all promise of equal and fair treat- •W• orking to combat the Americans, especially the most ment under the law.” scourge of hate crimes and vulnerable members of our com- The Lawyers’ Commit- racially motivated violence munities, are protected,” said tee is a nonpartisan, nonprofit impacting communities; Congressman Bill Keating. “It is organization, whose mission •J• oining the movement to end only right that Congress recog- is to secure equal justice for all apartheid in the Republic of nize their perseverance and ded- through the rule of law, particu- South Africa; ication to justice as they work to larly in the areas of criminal jus- •W• orking to develop and promote their mission in a time tice, fair housing and community enact the Civil Rights Act of when rights are being chal- development, economic justice, 1991; and lenged almost daily. Along with educational opportunities, and •J• oining relief efforts during my colleagues, I honor them for voting rights. The national Law- the humanitarian crisis their 50 years of outstanding yers’ Committee for Civil Rights caused by Hurricane Katrina work and look forward to the Under Law was founded in 1963 in 2005; critical contributions they will at the request of President The resolution celebrates the make over the next 50.” John F. Kennedy and their Bos- 50th anniversary of the found- “Laws are little more than ton-based affiliate, the Lawyers’ ing of the Lawyers’ Committee words on a page until advo- Committee for Civil Rights and for Civil Rights and Economic cates, activists and lawyers Economic Justice, was founded Justice and expresses gratitude give them meaning and ensure five years later, in 1968. for the national Lawyers’ Com- the promises they make extend The resolution highlights mittee and all of its 8 local affil- to every single American life,” several contributions that the iates for their work to advance said Congressman Joe Kennedy national Lawyers’ Committee civil rights and their dedication III. “For five decades, the Law- and its eight local affiliates have to the pursuit of equal justice yers’ Committee has fought for made to the struggle for equal under the law. a nation where laws are applied justice in the United States and In addition to Boston, the equally and justly regardless of around the world, including: Lawyers’ Committee has local a person’s skin color, gender or •A• dvancing the cause of the affiliates in Chicago, Illinois; zip code. With this resolution, civil rights movement by pur- Denver, Colorado; Jackson, Mis- Congress can play a small part suing cases involving voting sissippi; Los Angeles, California; in recognizing the contributions rights, racial segregation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; San and sacrifices of the Lawyers’ education, economic justice, Francisco, California; and Wash- Committee for Civil Rights and fair housing, criminal justice, ington, District of Columbia. Economic Justice.” hate crimes, and more;

34 Timeline & Case History NAACP Mak 2001 1963 1978 1981 v. Boston Housing Authority v. Fall River Housing Authority On June 21, 1963, President John Latino Association for Progress Rendell-Baker Federal class action lawsuit Successfully represented Cambo- Established Economic Justice F. Kennedy and Attorney General & Action v. Kohn against the Boston Housing dian tenants against the Fall River Project Robert F. Kennedy met with 244 v. Worcester Public Schools Represented several teachers at Authority for maintaining racially Housing Authority, which failed to In its first year, the project provid- leading American lawyers in the Lawsuit to compel the Worces- a private special education school segregated public housing. protect them from racial violence ed free legal support to over 250 White House. ter Public Schools to provide in Brookline. and harassment. small businesses and entrepre- The President and Attorney equal educational opportunities At the Lawyers’ Committee’s neurs. General made a special appeal to children with limited English Hispanic Parents Advisory 20th Anniversary, Sen. Edward 1997 Morris to mobilize the legal profession proficiency. Settled by a consent Council v. City of Holyoke Kennedy calls for “a new aboli- Julks to support the struggle for civil School desegregation case in tionist movement” to stamp out v. City of Lawrence decree. v. Neptune Towers rights. The national Lawyers’ Holyoke, resulting in a favorable racism. Federal court enjoined the City Committee for Civil Rights Under Latinos Unidos de Chelsea en settlement including bilingual Successful lawsuit against feder- of Lawrence from implementing Law was created. Acción and special education plans. 1992 ally-subsidized housing develop- a voter ID policy that would have v. HUD ment that maintained a pattern discouraged Latinxs from voting. Culbreath and practice of discrimination. 1968 Challenged the disbursement of 1982 v. BayBanks federal funds to the City of Chel- 2002 The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Established Project to Combat BayBanks agreed to an $11 million sea under the 1974 Housing and 1998 South Boston Betterment Trust Rights Under Law of the Boston Racial Violence settlement in a lawsuit over its in- Community Development Act. Corporation Bar Association was formed in direct home improvement financ- Lawyers’ Committee participates ing program, which used illegal in the formation of the Fair Hous- v. Boston Redevelopment 1968 in the midst of riots and NAACP 1983 Authority the assassination of Dr. Martin sales tactics to lure homeowners ing Center of Greater Boston. v. HUD Latino Political Action Filed amicus brief to ensure that Luther King, Jr., and the findings in minority neighborhoods to take Class action lawsuit challenging Committee community benefits derived from of the Kerner Commission report out high interest loans, in viola- Thornton the discriminatory use of HUD v. City of Boston v. Amtrak Seaport District development (concluding that the nation was tion of consumer protection and funds disbursed to Boston, re- Federal court invalidated Bos- were equitably distributed to “moving toward two societies, civil rights laws. Employment discrimination class sulting in a favorable settlement. ton’s redistricting plan for violat- minority neighborhoods. one Black, one White – separate action lawsuit on behalf of minori- ing the constitutional principle ty track workers resulting in a $16 and unequal”). Funded with a MAMLEO 1993 of “one person, one vote,” under million settlement and systemic Mayor of Cambridge grant from the Ford Foundation v. Boston Police Department section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. McDuffy changes in hiring, training, pro- v. Secretary of the and contributions from Boston Challenged a discriminatory civil v. Secretary of the Executive Commonwealth law firms, the Committee became motion, and discipline. service exam for promotions to Office of Education Filed amicus brief with the SJC to the first of eight independent 1986 sergeant, resulting in a consent SJC struck down Massachusetts’ protect several majority African- affiliates of the national Lawyers’ Established Fair Housing Project 1999 decree that led to the first per- public school financing system, American State House districts. Committee. President Kennedy’s manent Boston Police sergeants which relied heavily on local prop- Jane Doe vision of the legal profession of color. The consent decree 1987 erty taxes and resulted in gross v. Boston Housing Authority mobilizing its resources to sup- 2003 survived a challenge as “reverse Thong Lim disparities between districts. SJC Class action lawsuit against the port progress in civil rights came discrimination” in MAMLEO v. v. Somerville Housing Authority ruled that Massachusetts has a Boston Housing Authority for Grutter Amicus Brief home to his birthplace. Gaspard Boston Police Dep’t., 780 F.2d duty under the state constitution failing to protect minority tenants Co-authored amicus brief filed by D’Andelot “Don” Belin served as Federal class action lawsuit 5 (1st Cir. 1985). A court upheld to provide an adequate education from chronic, racially motivated the Boston Bar Ass’n. and leading the first Chair of the Committee. against the Somerville Housing the consent decree’s extension to Authority for its failure to protect for all children, regardless of the violence and harassment at his- Boston law firms in the U.S. lieutenants and captains in Stuart minority tenants from racial vio- wealth of their local communities. torically White housing develop- Supreme Court in support of af- 1970 v. Roache, 951 F.2d 446 (1st Cir. lence and harassment. ments. Case resulted in HUD’s firmative action in admissions to the Univ. of Michigan Law School. Published “The Quality of Justice 1991). Bennett first-ever finding of “systemic in the Lower Criminal Courts of Hispanic Parents Advisory v. City of Boston discrimination,” and the Housing Castro & NAACP Comfort Metropolitan Boston,”a ground- Council Federal lawsuit on behalf of Authority agreed to a $1.5 million v. Beecher v. Lynn School Committee breaking report that lead to v. City of Lowell families challenging unlawful settlement, including adoption systemic court reforms. Successfully challenged discrimi- School desegregation and bilin- searches and seizures by police of a “zero-tolerance policy” for Filed amicus brief, along with the natory police and fire department gual education case in Lowell, re- during the Carol Stuart murder racial harassment. NAACP, successfully defending 1974 hiring practices in communities sulting in a favorable settlement. investigation. Lynn’s voluntary school deseg- across Massachusetts, including 2000 regation plan against a constitu- Morgan Boston. As a result of consent 1988 1996 tional attack. v. Hennigan decrees, there are now hundreds Mendes v. Sullivan Federal court ordered the Boston of police officers and firefighters Black Political Task Force Barrett Jones Public Schools to desegregate in of color in Massachusetts. v. Connelly v. Danca Realty World Successfully represented a v. City of Boston 1974, a landmark decision upheld Federal court invalidated the Housing discrimination case at Cape Verdean couple who were Landmark legal challenge to a by the U.S. Supreme Court. 1979 State House redistricting plan the MCAD resulted in a $60,000 assaulted and had their property discriminatory and unreliable hair based on the 1985 state census award for emotional distress, the vandalized by White neighbors. test used by the City of Boston to Brown for violating the “one person, one largest amount ever awarded at determine drug use. In 2014, the v. City of Salem vote” principle. First Latino state that time. First Circuit ruled that the hair Successfully represented minori- legislator elected from newly test disproportionately affects ty applicant who was not hired as created Boston district. Black officers. In a companion a police officer despite ranking case, the Massachusetts Civil first on the civil service exam. Service Commission found in

36 37 2013 that the hair test is scien- racially hostile work environment 2014 tin, arguing that the “mismatch” 2017 and minor offenses, and dispro- tifically unreliable and required and was wrongfully terminated. theory espoused by affirmative portionately affected people of Boston Police to reinstate six Not Measuring Up – action opponents is flawed. The Romero et al. color. officers. 2008 School Discipline Report Court upheld the policy, affirming v. McCormick & Schmick’s Published groundbreaking report use of race as one of many factors In response to #MeToo, filed sex- 2018 Established Health Disparities Amara analyzing Massachusetts school in college admissions. ual harassment lawsuit on behalf v. Fairmont Copley Plaza Project centered on Medical-Le- discipline data and finding that of five low-wage Latina workers Centro Presente v. Trump gal Partnership with Massachu- Successfully represented seven students of color, students with Lawyers’ Committee of a national restaurant chain, setts General Hospital in Chelsea Moroccan and Muslim employ- disabilities, and charter school v. Evans alleging a hostile work environ- First lawsuit filed in the country to ees of the Fairmont Copley Plaza students are disproportionately Successful lawsuit to compel the ment filled with lewd behavior save Temporary Protected Status 2004 Hotel who faced religious and suspended, particularly for minor Boston Police Dept. to release and unwanted touching. (TPS), humanitarian protection national origin discrimination. misbehavior, bringing national records concerning the racial for Salvadoran, Honduran and Alshrafi attention to disparities in school impact of its employment practic- City of Chelsea Haitian immigrants. Affected in- v. American Airlines 2010 discipline rates. es. At a time of growing tension v. Trump dividuals and community groups Federal court ruled that the between police and communities Federal lawsuit filed on behalf of allege that TPS termination was Airline Deregulation Act did not Bonds City of Brockton of color, the data was the subject Chelsea and Lawrence, chal- racially motivated and discrimi- preempt a discrimination claim v. City of Boston School v. Energy Facilities Siting Board of intense public scrutiny con- lenging the constitutionality of natory. by an Arab-American passenger Committee Filed an environmental justice cerning the lack of diversity in the President Trump’s Executive who was barred from a flight after Successful employment dis- amicus brief challenging deci- police force. Order targeting sanctuary cities. Coleman 9/11. crimination case on behalf of a sion to locate a power plant in a The suit seeks to preserve fed- v. City of Boston Black teacher at Boston Latin minority community. Airbnb eral funding and to protect local In response to #BlackLivesMat- Black Political Task Force School who received less desir- Urged HUD to investigate Airb- control over law enforcement ter, lawsuit filed on behalf of a v. Galvin mother whose son—an unarmed able teaching assignments than 2015 nb’s compliance with civil rights priorities. Federal court struck down the less-qualified White teachers. laws, citing research showing that Black young man with a disabili- 2001 State House redistrict- Students for Fair Admissions Airbnb renters with distinctively BizGrow ty—was fatally shot by the Boston ing plan for 17 districts serving EEOC v. Harvard Black names are 16% less likely to Launched signature Economic Police Department. v. Autozone, Inc. Boston, and enjoined the Com- On behalf of a multi-racial group be accepted by hosts than renters Justice Project event, connecting K.O. monwealth from holding elections Successfully represented a Sikh of students, filed intervention with distinctively White names. In more than 150 entrepreneurs with v. Sessions for those seats until the court employee, who faced religious to support Harvard’s use of response, Airbnb took immediate free legal and business support. approved a new plan. Court found discrimination. race-conscious admissions in a steps to eliminate discrimination Emergency petitions filed in that the state plan violated Sec- Title VI challenge to this prac- by hosts against minority renters. Cook response to family separation tion 2 of the Voting Rights Act, 2012 tice brought by the same group v. Mystic Valley Regional crisis to secure the release and resulted in “extreme” packing of behind Fisher v. Texas. School Discipline Toolkit Charter School reunification of children torn the 6th Suffolk district, and im- apart from their families at the NAACP Released toolkit to educate Represented Black students in properly stripped minority voters border. Filed the first national v. Galvin Defay teachers, administrators, stu- successful challenge to school’s out of the 11th and 12th Suffolk class-action seeking damages Challenge to the Common- v. Boston Police Department dents and parents about school discriminatory hair policy, which districts. on behalf of separated children. wealth’s failure to offer voter reg- MCAD found that Boston Po- disciplinary policies and alter- banned hair extensions and other Suit seeks creation of designated istration opportunities to public lice discriminates against Black natives to suspensions, in order hairstyles worn disproportionate- fund to address the mental health 2005 assistance recipients, in violation recruits in its Training Academy. to improve school discipline and ly by students of color. consequences of separation. Arise for Social Justice of the National Voter Registration MCAD ordered Boston Police to combat race and disability related v. City of Springfield Act. Commonwealth agreed to “cease and desist” from discrim- disparities in suspension rates. Huot policy changes and ongoing mon- v. City of Lowell Matter of C. Doe Successfully challenged Spring- inatory conduct and to reinstate itoring, enfranchising thousands First case of its kind filed with field’s “at-large” election system, and compensate affected indi- Doe Federal voting rights lawsuit filed of low-income individuals. public defender and legal ser- which diluted minority voting vidual. v. Peyser on behalf of Asian-American vices organizations to block power in violation of the Voting Intervention filed on behalf of and Latinx residents of Lowell, Ortiz immigration arrests in court- Rights Act. students of color, students with charging that the City’s at-large v. Boston Children’s Hospital 2016 disabilities, and English language electoral system illegally dilutes houses. Lawsuit seeks writ of 2006 Employment discrimination case Boston Latin School Complaint learners in support of retaining the vote of communities of color. protection to prevent the arrest challenging wrongful termination Federal civil rights complaint Massachusetts’ charter school of immigrants with pending court Bradley of Latina health care workers. requesting that the U.S. Attorney cap. The court upheld the con- Lawyers’ Committee matters. v. City of Lynn Case resulted in favorable settle- investigate racial harassment stitutionality of the charter cap, v. Hodgson Pilot Intervened on behalf of the ment, including a bilingual public at Boston Latin School. U.S. preserving vital resources for Successful lawsuit to compel v. Brookline NAACP and the Boston Society of apology. Attorney found that BLS violated traditional public schools. disclosure of records related to Vulcans to challenge discrimina- federal law by failing to adequate- Bristol County Sheriff’s enforce- Successfully settled discrimi- tory civil service exams for police 2013 ly respond to racial harassment, ment of federal immigration law. nation lawsuit filed by two Black and firefighter jobs in twenty and the City of Boston agreed to Within hours of filing the com- police officers in the Brookline communities. In a settlement, the Pulido take steps to improve the racial plaint, the sheriff apologized and Police Department. state agreed to offer back pay and v. National Grid climate at BLS. released records. jobs to 66 minority candidates Successfully represented Filipino Rivas who took the discriminatory electrical worker in employment Fisher Amazon Class Action v. Bristol County Sheriff exams. discrimination matter against v. Univ. of Texas at Austin Class action filed at the MCAD Damages action against the Bris- National Grid. Amicus brief filed on behalf of on behalf of Black and Latinx tol County Sheriff filed on behalf EEOC prominent national empirical former Amazon drivers who were of immigrant father who was v. Home Depot scholars in a case concerning the suddenly terminated based on unlawful detained and denied bail Successfully represented a Black use of a race-based admissions an overly stringent background based solely on his immigration employee who experienced a policy at the Univ. of Texas at Aus- check policy, which included old status.

38 39 Staff, Volunteers & Interns LEAVE A LEGACY

Iván Espinoza-Madrigal, Executive Director Learn how you can provide through your will Oren Sellstrom, Litigation Director Priya Lane, Economic Justice Project Director or living trust to support our life-changing Laura Maslow-Armand, Health Disparities Project Director and law-changing civil rights work. Sophia Hall, Supervising Attorney Oren Nimni, Staff Attorney Lauren Sampson, Civil Rights Fellow [email protected] Ben Kline, Paralegal

Adrian Lee, Harvard Law School Ali Szemanski, Harvard Law School Andrew Steinberg, The Roxbury Latin School Breanna Williams, Harvard Law School Civil rights are for everyone. Bryan Payton, Harvard Law School Caroline McCance, University of Richmond School of Law Doug Horne, Northeastern School of Law Make them accessible. Ian Collins, Boston College Law School India Hyde, Winsor School Irene Lee, Stanford Law School Make them sustainable. Julie Guzman, Suffolk Law School Kobei Osei Boaten, Boston College Law School Linnan Zhang, Winsor College Sophie Rodriguez, Rice University

LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS BOSTON

40 @LCRBOSTON #BostonCivilRights #LegalWarriors lawyersforcivilrights.org

LAWYERS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS BOSTON