Dignity is a Right, Not a Privilege.
The Civil Rights Act protects you in more places than just your job. If you have been denied housing, refused service at a business, or treated unfairly by a school or bank because of who you are, Saffold Law fights to hold them accountable.
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Discrimination in Daily Life
Many people know they can’t be fired for their race, but they don’t realize that federal law also protects them when they are renting an apartment, shopping in a store, or applying for a mortgage.
At Saffold Law, we enforce the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Housing Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We believe that equal access to society is fundamental. When businesses or landlords discriminate, they aren’t just being rude—they are breaking the law.
The Hidden Face of Discrimination (It's Not Always Obvious)
In 2024, discrimination is rarely explicit. You likely won’t hear a slur; instead, you’ll encounter “policies” or “availability issues” that seem neutral but are actually designed to exclude you.
Watch out for these Red Flags:
- “The unit was just rented”: If an apartment was listed as available online, but the landlord tells you it’s gone the moment you show up in person.
- “You would be happier elsewhere”: A real estate agent steering you away from a “good” neighborhood towards one that matches your demographic.
- “We reserve the right to refuse service”: Using a generic policy to kick you out of a store or restaurant without a valid reason.
- Predatory Lending: Being offered a higher interest rate on a car loan than a white customer with the exact same credit score.
Areas of Civil Rights We Protect
We represent individuals and classes of victims in federal lawsuits against systemic bias.
1. Housing Discrimination (Fair Housing Act)
Landlords, real estate agents, and HOAs cannot treat you differently based on race, religion, family status (having children), or disability.
- Refusal to Rent/Sell: Being told a unit is “unavailable” when it is actually empty.
- Steering: Agents only showing you homes in certain neighborhoods based on your race.
- Discriminatory Terms: Charging higher deposits or rent to certain groups.
2. Public Accommodations (Title II)
Hotels, restaurants, theaters, gas stations, and retail stores are “Public Accommodations.” They cannot refuse service or segregate customers based on race, religion, or national origin.
- “Shopping While Black”: Being followed by security or treated as a shoplifter without cause.
- Refusal of Service: Being told to leave a restaurant or venue because of your identity.
3. Banking & Lending Discrimination (ECOA)
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits banks and auto lenders from denying loans or charging higher interest rates based on race, gender, or marital status. If you have excellent credit but were offered predatory terms, it may be discrimination.
4. Education Discrimination (Title VI & Title IX)
Schools and universities receiving federal funds cannot discriminate.
- Title VI: Protects against racial discrimination in admissions or discipline.
- Title IX: Protects against gender discrimination and ensures fair handling of sexual assault complaints on campus.
5. Disability Access (ADA)
Businesses must be accessible to people with disabilities. If a physical barrier prevents you from entering a store, or if a website is unusable for the visually impaired, we enforce your right to access.
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Retaliation is Also Illegal
Just like in employment law, it is illegal to punish you for asserting your rights.
If a landlord tries to evict you because you filed a Fair Housing complaint, or if a school suspends a student for reporting harassment, that is Retaliation. We can sue for separate damages for this conduct, often winning even if the original discrimination claim is difficult to prove.
What We Fight For
Discrimination cases are about restoring dignity and punishing bad actors.
- Compensatory Damages: Payment for emotional distress, humiliation, and any financial loss (like having to pay higher rent elsewhere).
- Punitive Damages: Large financial penalties designed to punish the business and deter others.
- Injunctive Relief: A court order forcing the business to change its policies, train its staff, or fix accessibility barriers.
How We Build Your Strategy
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1. The "Tester" Investigation
Proving discrimination is hard because people rarely admit it. We often use “testing” methodology—comparing how you were treated versus how a person of a different background was treated in the exact same situation.
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2. Statistical Analysis
In lending or housing cases, we analyze data. If a bank rejects 80% of minority applicants but only 10% of white applicants with similar credit scores, the numbers prove the bias.
3. Federal Litigation
We are prepared to take these cases to Federal Court, where judges are appointed for life and are often more protective of Constitutional rights than local courts.
Equal Rights are Non-Negotiable.
If you have been treated as a second-class citizen, do not stay silent. Contact Saffold Law to vindicate your civil rights.
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