Police Misconduct and Civil Liability

Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 5:30 p.m. Room 1-202 at the CUNY School of Law

2 Court Square, Long Island City, New York 11101

The NYPD now pays out more money in civil law suits than any other municipal agency. The number of civil rights cases brought against the NYPD increased by 70% since 2006 and cost the city $185

million in 2011.

This panel features attorneys who file lawsuits for false arrest, excessive force, false imprisonment and other civil rights violations as well as an attorney that has worked for the NYC Office of Corporation Counsel and a former NYPD Sergeant. Having panelists who have worked on both sides of the issue will allow us to explore the relationship between the increase in these lawsuits in relation to efforts to reform police practices like stop-and-frisk. Please join us for a very interesting and relevant discussion

in light of the recent news developments directly related to these issues. Food will be served.

Sponsored by the Police Accountability Organization

Cynthia Conti-Cook, Esq.Graduated from CUNY School of Law in the class of 2006 and has since been practicing primarily in the areas of civil rights and criminal defense. During law school, she interned with the Prisoner’s Right Project and the Urban Justice Center. She is currently an Associate Attorney at Stoll, Glickman & Bellina, LLP.

Mark C. Taylor, Esq.Is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School and practices in the areas of civil rights and criminal defense. During law school, he interned for the Innocence Project, and helped to organize opposition to the NYPD’s attempts to restrict public protest through changes to New York’s parade permitting scheme. He is a Partner at the Law Office of Rankin & Taylor.

Gabriel Harvis, Esq.Has worked for the Special Federal Litigation Division of the office of the New York City Corporation Counsel defending federal civil rights cases. He currently focuses his practice on the prosecution of complex constitutional torts as a Partner at Harvis, Wright, Saleem & Fett.

William D. Gibney, Esq. Is the Director of the Special Litigation Unit of The Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Practice conducting class action litigation against the City and State regarding sentencing and jail time for mentally ill prisoners. He is also an Officer of the Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York and has been honored with a public service award by the New York County Lawyer’s Association.

Anthony MirandaIs a retired Sergeant of the NYPD and is currently the Executive Chairman of the Latino Officers Association City of New York, Inc. In addition to serving over twenty years on the force, he has served the community as an activist combating policies surrounding the stop-and-frisk practices of the NYPD.

Panelist Bios

Discussion Moderator

Professor K. Babe HowellCUNY School of Law