Civil Rights
Your Iowa Civil Rights Law Firm
In the United States of America, civil rights are protected by both federal and state constitutions. These legal protections shield you against infringements by your employer, public businesses, and the government.
Newkirk Zwagerman cares about your constitutional rights and will fight to defend them day in and day out.
Our civil rights attorneys fight for clients who have been harmed by unlawful background checks for employment, students’ education rights, racial profiling, and other areas of civil rights.
Background Checks
Many employers use criminal background checks on applicants and employees. When those employer screenings exclude people for convictions or arrests that are not job-related, you may be eligible for an employment discrimination civil suit claim. Newkirk Zwagerman’s civil rights lawyers have successfully challenged numerous employers for using overbroad criminal record checks.
At our Des Moines law firm, Shareholder Leonard Bates is continually pursuing new and innovative ways to remove background checks as a barrier to equal employment. If you feel an employer inappropriately used a background check in their hiring decisions, please contact one of our civil rights attorneys.
Education Rights
Iowa state and federal laws protect students from discrimination in many ways. Federal law, the Iowa Civil Rights Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and Iowa’s bullying laws all help protect your right to an education. Education laws protect students from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, or disability in any program or activity.
When a school district or school official fails to protect its students from violations of their right to be in a safe educational environment and receive the same educational experience as their peers, student discrimination laws are there to help those students. Newkirk Zwagerman has fought for many students and their families who have experienced discrimination or bullying by advocating for the students. When possible, our firm works with the school district to remedy the issue to allow the student to remain in their school. However, sometimes civil rights litigation is necessary. When a discrimination lawsuit is required, you can count on the expert lawyers at Newkirk Zwagerman.
Racial Profiling
Racial profiling can occur anywhere, at any time. This issue goes beyond racial profiling by law enforcement officials, it happens in stores, schools, and employers. Newkirk Zwagerman works with other civil rights organizations and civil rights groups in the community to try and address these issues on a wider scale. We also help individuals who have experienced racial profiling resulting in a denial of services or adverse action that infringes on their rights.
As an experienced civil rights law firm, we’re here to help aggressively pursue the best results for your specific case. Here at Newkirk Zwagerman, our experienced and compassionate civil rights attorneys can help you get the justice that you deserve.