Our Approach
Affirmative Litigation
We approach our trial litigation through a movement lawyering framework. This means that litigation is just one tool, among many, that we use to achieve the goals of the clients and movements we serve. We pair innovative trial litigation with public advocacy, education, media and organizing strategies to ensure that our work has a broader and more sustainable scope than what would be achievable through litigation alone.
Appellate Advocacy
Rights Behind Bars tracks conditions litigation and offers representation or other aid to uncounseled clients or small firm lawyers on appeal. Once on appeal, we often partner with pro bono appellate specialists or civil rights groups. Through our intervention, we make the strongest possible case to win on behalf of our immediate clients. Our interventions also establish strong case law that sends the message to prisons and jails that they are not above the law and will ultimately be held accountable for failing to treat incarcerated individuals with the dignity the law requires.