
Philadelphia Civil Rights Attorney
Reputable civil rights legal team
The constitution grants certain rights and freedoms, and you are entitled to these civil rights without exception. Unfortunately, people’s constitutional rights are infringed every day, resulting in significant and far-reaching damages. The impact extends beyond the person whose rights were infringed, as every citizen is affected when civil rights violations occur. Respected around the state, our firm helps people enforce their constitutionally-guaranteed civil rights. With a team of acclaimed Philadelphia civil rights attorneys at van der Veen, Hartshorn and Levin, we help you secure accountability and obtain justice.
Protecting Pennsylvania citizens from police misconduct and brutality
While Pennsylvania law enforcement is dedicated to serving and protecting the state’s citizens, there are unfortunate instances in which police officers overstep their bounds:
- Racial profiling
- Excessive use of force
- Inappropriate or excessive use of pepper spray, Taser guns, and other tools for subduing individuals
- Unjustified shooting
- False arrest
- Wrongful imprisonment
- Unlawful interrogation techniques
When law enforcement officers cross the line between restraint and brutality, or abuse their position of power, you are entitled to seek damages for resulting injuries. Look to van der Veen, Hartshorn and Levin to help. Attorney van der Veen has decades of experience helping individuals recover compensation for medical bills and pain and suffering incurred at the hands of law enforcement. In numerous cases, he has proven that clients accused of assaulting law enforcement officers were, in actuality, the victims of police brutality. Rely on van der Veen, Hartshorn and Levin to put our knowledge and history of wins to work on your civil rights case.
Helping victims of false imprisonment and wrongful arrest seek justice
The proliferation of legal dramas has drawn attention to individual rights and law enforcement responsibilities. Unlike the shows, these rights are real. Before a police officer can detain or arrest you, he or she must have probable cause. Furthermore, once you have been detained, law enforcement must follow certain procedures. Mistakes are made at all stages in the process, and you should not assume that the circumstances leading to your detention or imprisonment were faithful to your rights. Our Philadelphia civil rights attorneys help you determine whether your rights were violated and how to best seek compensation from responsible parties.
Standing up to discrimination from all sources
One of the most fundamental rights afforded people in this country is the right to be free from discrimination based on:
- Race
- Religion
- National origin
- Age
- Sex
- Disability
When someone experiences discrimination perpetrated by educators, employers, housing agencies, or public service providers, our entire state experiences a setback. If you have been a victim of discrimination, it is important to leverage the legal process to seek redress for this violation. Make sure you have only the best, most committed Philadelphia civil rights lawyer by your side. Because clients are of critical importance to me, our attorneys provide aggressive, determined representation to make right what was wronged by discrimination.
Consult with a recognized Philadelphia civil rights attorney to uphold your rights
If your civil rights have been violated, holding the responsible party accountable is important to you and other citizens. van der Veen, Hartshorn and Levin is an accomplished personal injury and civil rights law firm, with a history of helping individuals who have been wronged. Contact us online or call (215) 486-0123 for a free initial consultation, during which our Philadelphia civil rights attorneys can assess your situation and explore how to best help you.

What Clients Say About Us
Caring Deeply About Our Clients and Their Families-
“Micheal van der Veen was my attorney and he did an outstanding job on my case. He really listens and cares about your situation no matter how big or small and also makes you feel right at home when your in his office.”
- Matt Swisher -
“The van der Veen team treats you as family. We win together. You are not just a client, but a family member when you choose this office.”
- Antonio Walker -
“It has been a real pleasure to work with Mr. van der Veen and his team. They really care not only about the case and the legal issues, but mainly about the person. The legal work is excellent and the result in our case was simply outstanding!”
- Nadia Hristova


In the Media



Choosing the Right Firm Can Make All the Difference
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Unrivaled Record of SuccessWe have won tens of millions of dollars for injured victims, and have achieved countless "not guilty" verdicts for clients faced with criminal charges.
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No Challenge too BigOur firm has handled some of the biggest cases in country, including representing the President of the United States.
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Personalized Representation
We understand that every case is unique. Therefore, we tailor our approach based on the facts of the case and the needs of our client.
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Uncompromising PassionOur competitive nature is one of our strongest qualities. You can be confident that no other firm will outwork our team.
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Holistic ApproachNot only do we want to excel legally for the client, but we also want to make sure we are strengthening their mind, body and spirt.
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Supporting the CommunityOur team engages in many community events and regularly donates time and resources to many charitable organizations in Philadelphia.

Home to Philadelphia’s most accomplished attorneys, van der Veen, Hartshorn and Levin pairs diverse practice experience with a passion-driven, comprehensive law practice—all for the client’s benefit.