Civil & Human Rights

Garret S. DeReus is an experienced civil rights and personal injury attorney with over a decade of litigation experience. As a partner at Bizer & DeReus, Mr. DeReus has dedicated his career to litigation and advocating for individuals whose rights have been violated. Mr. DeReus handles civil rights cases, personal injury claims, nursing home abuse, and medical malpractice. He has successfully handled more than 500 civil rights cases and has extensive experience in all aspects of litigation, from pre-litigation development through appellate work. His civil rights practice encompasses prisoner rights, disability rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, excessive force, education access, and government accountability cases. Mr. DeReus serves as lead counsel in high-stakes federal litigation and has secured significant victories at both the trial and appellate levels. Notable achievements include successful appeals to the Fifth, Ninth, and Tenth Circuits, with the Tenth Circuit establishing favorable precedent regarding the repeated violations doctrine in a Title II ADA case. In January 2024, Mr. DeReus first-chaired a federal jury trial in a First Amendment case that resulted in a plaintiff verdict, securing $205,000 in damages. Mr. DeReus has successfully opposed challenges from major corporations, including a groundbreaking ADA case against Uber Technologies for wheelchair accessibility. He has negotiated over 200 settlements, consent decrees, and judgments, including systemic changes to New Orleans' public transportation system that made the historic St. Charles Avenue Streetcar accessible to wheelchair users. Mr. DeReus earned his J.D. from Tulane Law School in 2013 as a Dean's Scholarship Recipient and his B.B.A. from The George Washington University in 2010, graduating summa cum laude.

A veteran attorney with years of “big firm” experience, he has opened his own law practice to fight for the justice that every man and woman deserves. He has experience in all types of litigation including complex civil litigation, civil trial practice, criminal defense, domestic matters, and a wide range of other legal issues. A former law clerk for a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, he has handled cases across the state of Mississippi and in Washington D.C. With extensive experience in both trial and appellate courts, including and up to the United States Supreme Court, he has the experience, strength, and tenacity to fight for you. After graduating at the top of his class from Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson, Mississippi, Mr. Clanton served as a law clerk to the late Honorable David A. Nelson of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Clanton’s prior professional experience includes tenure as a shareholder in a large, national AmLaw 200 law firm. He has also previously served as Chief Counsel to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Constitution, where he acted as Chief Counsel advising both the Chairman and the Members of the Judiciary Committee on legislation and Congressional oversight, regulatory authority, civil and constitutional rights, Congressional authority, separation of powers, proposed constitutional amendments and oversight of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. While practicing with the law firm of Baker Donelson, he handled civil litigation in both Mississippi and Washington, D.C.

Martin Garbus has a diverse practice that consists of individuals and companies involved in politics, media, entertainment, and the arts. His courtroom skills have earned him a distinguished reputation as a trial lawyer. Mr. Garbus is experienced in every aspect of litigation and trial, from jury selection to cross-examination to summation. He has argued cases throughout the country involving constitutional, criminal, copyright, and intellectual property law. He has appeared before the United States Supreme Court, as well as trial and appellate courts throughout the United States. He has argued and written briefs that have been submitted to the United States Supreme Court; a number of which have resulted in changes in the law on a nationwide basis, including one described by Justice William Brennan as "probably the most important due process case in the Twentieth Century." An international observer in foreign elections, he was selected by President Jimmy Carter to observe and report on the elections in Venezuela and Nicaragua. Mr. Garbus also participated in drafting several constitutions and foreign laws, including the Czechoslovak constitution. He also has been involved in prisoner exchange negotiations between governments. He is the author of six books and over 30 articles in The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times. Mr. Garbus is featured in Shouting Fire, an award-winning documentary film about his life and career. He received the Fulbright Award for his work on International Human Rights in 2010. In 2014, University College Dublin's' Literary and Historical Society honored Mr. Garbus with the James Joyce Award for Excellence in Law, which is also the same year Trinity College awarded him for his human rights and free speech work. Mr. Garbus has also taught trial practice at Yale Law School and Constitutional law at Columbia. He has also taught classes in Beijing, China, and Prague, Czech Republic. He has lived and practiced in China and Italy as well as the United States. He authored six books and numerous articles that have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and numerous legal publications. Mr. Garbus has given hundreds of speeches on various aspects of law before Bar Associations, corporations, law schools, and on CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, and other television and radio networks. Martin Garbus’ devotion to ethics, justice, free speech, and the law has garnered enormous respect within the legal community, commercial and corporate sectors, and beyond. His numerous honors include designation in Who’s Who in America, a Profile in the New York Times, inclusion in Who’s Who in Best Lawyers in America, awards from his law school and college, and praise from his numerous high-profile clients.

Eric L. Siegel has over 30 years of experience dedicating his practice to the litigation and resolution of business, employment, civil rights, disability rights and whistleblower disputes. Eric has tried jury and bench cases in both state and federal courts in numerous jurisdictions, including but not limited to the District of Columbia, Maryland, New York, Tennessee, and Mississippi. He formerly served as a trial attorney in the Employment Litigation Section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division where he enforced Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. In addition, he spent the last decade working part-time in the real estate industry as an owner and developer, working on acquisition, financing, zoning, affordable housing, property management and leasing issues. Consequently, he understands first-hand the challenges facing owners, landlords and developers and approaches legal problems of real estate clients from a broader, results-driven and cost-effective perspective. He works closely with his clients to identify and fully understand their goals. Thinking strategically and creatively on behalf of clients, he uses all available tools to pursue a successful outcome for his clients. Mr. Siegel has been a frequent lecturer and author on a wide array of topics, including employee work eligibility under immigration laws; compliance with wage and hour laws; emerging sexual harassment law issues; English-only rules; arbitrability of jurisdictional disputes in tri-lateral arbitration, ADA case analyses and articles on mental disability, health insurance, pre-employment inquiries under the ADA, which was published in Disability Discrimination in the Workplace (Clark Boardman Callaghan), and medical examinations and reasonable accommodation under the ADA, and litigation tactics to avoid summary judgment, publishing in several employment-related treatises.

John W. Day is an attorney who practices in criminal defense, civil litigation, wrongful death and government misconduct/civil rights litigation. John W. Day serves clients throughout New Mexico, including the communities of Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Taos and Farmington. Prior to opening his own office, John had a long and successful tenure as a partner in one of Santa Fe’s oldest and largest law firms where he practiced in the same areas of criminal defense, wrongful death, civil litigation and government misconduct/civil rights litigation. John has represented clients in federal, state and tribal courts throughout New Mexico. He has successfully defended cases involving national security clearance matters, white-collar offenses and homicide, among others. John has provided personalized legal representation to families and institutions with special legal problems and crisis situations. John serves as general counsel to large high-wealth families and to specialized not-for-profit organizations that value his unique set of problem-solving skills and his experience. John serves as an on-air legal analyst for KOAT-TV, Channel 7, the ABC affiliate station for Albuquerque and all of New Mexico.

The Law Offices of Attorney Patricia (Pat) Cresta-Savage offers clients the advantage of an experienced attorney with over 20 years of advisory and courtroom litigation experience providing independent legal representation in civil actions, civil rights, and criminal defense. She is a licensed member of the bar in DC, MD and NH, and can represent clients in several different courts. In CRIMINAL DEFENSE, she has effectively represented those charged in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and New Hampshire with many different types and degrees of crimes, including but not limited to serious offenses such as: felony murder, assault with intent to kill, armed robbery, carjacking, possession and/or distribution of controlled substances, felon in possession of firearms, embezzlement, credit card fraud, as well as lesser criminal charges of many kinds. In CIVIL RIGHTS, she has successfully represented clients in civil actions concerning police brutality, gender discrimination, sexual harassment, race discrimination, and employment law. She was co-counsel in a landmark Maryland decision concerning the unconstitutional retroactive application of sex offender registration law: Doe v. Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services, 430 Md. 535, 62 A.3d 123 (2013)

“When a client selects our office to represent them, it is a great honor. Our clients trust us to navigate them through the rigors of a high-stakes legal system. There is nothing more professionally satisfying to me than rewarding that trust by achieving a successful result.” Tim is experienced in all areas of complex litigation and alternative dispute resolution and focuses his practice on medical malpractice, personal injury, and appellate law. A partner in Phelan, Phelan & Danek and head of the Appellate Law practice, his strength is a comprehensive knowledge of the law and understanding of the legal process. Prior to entering private practice, Tim served as an Appellate Court Attorney for the Appellate Division Third Department. This experience provided him an insider's perspective of the different courts, and how the court decision process works. He has been with Phelan, Phelan & Danek from the beginning, and values its big firm experience, small firm relationships, and the family environment. Tim is very active with his family and community. He serves as Board President with Niskayuna Youth Football & Cheerleading, works with the Niskayuna Town Parks & Recreation Committee, and coaches his daughter's travel softball team. Married for 14 years to his high school sweetheart Jessica, he has 3 children, softball player Cadence, 11, footballer Brooks, 10, and 6-year-old Lilly, who specializes in 'trouble'. Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference. I received a call from a 10 year old girl who broke her wrists using monkey bars at school.  After falling, her teacher declined to let her see the nurse and she completed the school day.  She was healing well, but several attorneys turned down her case believing that her damages were limited.  The School District’s insurance company claimed that they were only responsible for a couple of hours of pain and suffering and offered nuisance value.  I took the case and sued the School District for depriving the child of her civil rights under 42 U.S.C. section 1983, by depriving the child of her basic human right to medical care.  The case settled quickly after that for a substantial settlement. How did you build a successful practice? The cornerstone of my practice, as with most, is to listen specifically to my client’s needs.  I believe what sets my practice apart, is creativity in designing approaches to reach a client’s goals using all available avenues.  To achieve this goal, I have developed expertise in all means available.  From trial to alternative dispute resolution, I have the expertise to achieve the goals of my clients in the means that best suits their objectives. What should clients look for in a lawyer? First and foremost, clients should look for an experienced lawyer who listens to them and understands their core objectives.  I believe that a fundamental component to the lawyer’s job is to ensure that he or she understands exactly what the client’s objectives are.  Once the objectives are clearly identified, the attorney’s responsibility to provide the client with available options to achieve that goal and an honest evaluation of the case. What information can you provide in a free phone consultation? During our initial telephone conversation, we will discuss the aspects of your case and get an understanding of not only what happened, but what you would like to have happen moving forward.  At this point, we will determine if my firm is an appropriate match for you.  If so, we will make a plan to meet and discuss what materials, if necessary, we should review as we continue to develop a plan. What information do you need in a free phone consultation? During the initial telephone conversation, clients should be prepared to generally discuss the nature of their case and be prepared with as many details as possible.  We need to know what happened, and how it has impacted you.  In addition, we need to know the timing of the occurrences that give rise to your potential claim.  Time may be of the essence, so please call as soon as possible.  We are here and ready to help you. What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community? What differentiates me from other lawyers in this field is the perspectives on the law and the system that I have honed over the course of my career.  One of the keys to the development of my practice was my time as a clerk with the Appellate Division, Third Department.  Not only was I exposed to several types of cases while there, but I gained the valuable and rare perspective of the cases from the Court’s view.  Using these experiences, I have endeavored to create a practice model that is friendly to the Court’s needs.  I find that this approach has been helpful to achieve client goals. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? The most rewarding part of my job is the satisfaction that I take away from making a difference in my client’s lives.  Clients come to our firm with a need, and often in distress.  We work hard to reach a conclusion of their case that meets their needs and improves their lives.  The opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others is what sparked my interest in the law years ago and still fuels my practice today. What are your other interests in addition to law? I am an active volunteer in the Community.  I have four children and coach youth football.

Since 2005, Chris Houk has been a dedicated advocate for the rights of Arizona’s workers, managers, and employers. From representing clients in small-town discrimination cases to arguing before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Chris has tirelessly worked to ensure that everyone is treated with the fairness, dignity, and respect they deserve. Chris’s extensive experience includes serving in the Civil Rights Division of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. These roles have given him a deep understanding of the laws and regulations that govern employment in Arizona. In addition to his legal practice, Chris is an adjunct professor at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. He also serves as an officer of the National Employment Lawyers Association, Co-Chair of the American Bar Association’s Labor & Employment Section, and is a Fellow with the American Bar Foundation. Outside of work, Chris is actively involved in the Arizona and Metro Phoenix communities, where he and his wife are raising their three children.

For over 25 years, Andrea has developed a comprehensive understanding of employment law by representing both employers and employees at various stages of her career, enabling her to navigate the legal landscape from multiple perspectives. Her broad experience defending employers—particularly in her current practice at Moss Byrnes PLLC and prior roles with management has given her deep insight into employer strategies, risk assessment, and decision-making processes in litigation, investigations, and compliance matters. This distinctive background makes her particularly well-suited to represent employees facing workplace legal issues, as she anticipates and counters employer defenses effectively while advocating vigorously for individual rights. Andrea handles all phases of litigation in state and federal courts, as well as proceedings before administrative agencies such as the EEOC, New York State Division of Human Rights, and other bodies. She has defended and prosecuted claims arising under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and equivalent state laws, the New York State Human Rights Law, and wage and hour statutes. Andrea advises clients on compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, best practices for risk minimization, employee discipline, and sensitive terminations. She counsels on a wide range of issues, including employee classifications, overtime, and restrictive covenants. Her practice includes drafting and reviewing employment contracts, severance agreements, offer letters, non-compete and other restrictive covenants, employee handbooks, and personnel policies. Andrea frequently conducts independent workplace investigations into allegations of discrimination, harassment, and misconduct, and provides comprehensive training programs, including management-level and employee anti-harassment seminars. With extensive trial experience, including serving as lead counsel in dozens of federal and state trials and administrative hearings, Andrea incorporates alternative dispute resolution methods where aligned with client objectives to achieve efficient and favorable outcomes. Representative Matters include the following: · Resolved hundreds of employment disputes through arbitration and mediation, encompassing claims of discrimination based on age, race, religion, national origin, disability, and sexual orientation; sexual harassment; hostile work environment; wrongful termination; and retaliation. · Arbitrated and mediated high-stakes disputes concerning non-compete agreements and executive compensation packages. · Successfully resolved an employment dispute centered on a multi-million-dollar intellectual property issue. · Mediated and resolved claims of gender and religious discrimination on behalf of an employee at a nationally recognized marketing firm. · Successfully defended an employer against a multi-million-dollar wage and hour class action. · Secured six-figure settlement for employees who were improperly compensated for their work. · Negotiated numerous severance packages and separation agreements for executives and employees. · Produced workplace handbooks for employers across multiple jurisdictions. Andrea graduated from U-Mass Amherst summa cum laude and the University of Virginia Law School.

Robert Kasieta is the founder and managing member of Kasieta Legal Group. He focuses his practice on Civil Litigation. He is a member of the Dane County Bar Association, the State Bar of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Association of Justice, and American Association of Justice. Bob received his associate degree from Gogebic Community College; his bachelors degree, summa cum laude, from Northern Michigan University; and his law degree from Marquette University. He is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and has attained the highest rating, AV, from the national attorney rating service, Martindale-Hubbell. Bob also regularly teaches other lawyers. In addition, he teaches at Wisconsin Law School.