If a police officer used force against you at a protest, arrested you for filming, or violated your constitutional rights — you have legal options. This office exists to enforce them.
If Your Rights Were Violated
Submit Your Contact Info
If LAPD or LASD arrested or struck you while you were protesting, submit your contact information so this office can stay in touch with you.
Contact the Office →Preserve Your Evidence
Save everything: photos of injuries, video footage, witness contact information, medical records, and any official communications. Do not delete anything.
Know Your Deadlines
Claims against California government entities typically require a tort claim within six months. Federal § 1983 claims have a two-year statute of limitations. Act quickly.
Civil rights litigation throughout California · Ninth Circuit
Section 1983 claims against law enforcement officers and agencies for unconstitutional stops, searches, arrests, and use of force.
Representation of journalists, photographers, and protesters whose rights to observe and record police have been violated.
California Public Records Act writ proceedings to compel disclosure of law enforcement records, body camera footage, and surveillance data.
Class litigation challenging systemic police conduct, including protest-related force and patterns of constitutional violations.
Bane Act, Ralph Act, and § 1983 claims against LAPD, LASD, and other agencies for protest-related arrests, detentions, and use of force.
Criminal defense and civil rights representation, including infraction defense, ADA accommodation requests, and anti-homeless enforcement challenges.
Weston Rowland is a civil rights plaintiffs' attorney based in Santa Monica, California. He practices as a solo practitioner and as an attorney at the Law Office of Carol A. Sobel, one of California's most established civil rights practices.
His cases have included class actions arising from police use of force at protests, First Amendment retaliation claims against LAPD and other agencies, CPRA writ proceedings to compel disclosure of law enforcement records, and criminal defense for unhoused individuals.
He runs a legal clinic serving unhoused clients in Los Angeles and has particular experience in the Ninth Circuit.
This office represents people whose rights have been violated — not agencies or institutions. Every case is approached from the standpoint of the individual.
From § 1983 claims to CPRA writ proceedings to Ninth Circuit appeals, the work spans the full arc of civil rights litigation.
In addition to litigation, Weston runs a legal clinic serving unhoused clients in Los Angeles — because access to justice matters beyond the courthouse.
"The right to observe and record police activity in public is a clearly established First Amendment right."— Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Reach out to discuss your matter. Initial contact is available for potential clients with civil rights claims.
Briefly describe your situation and this office will be in touch.
Not legal advice. The information on this website is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation.
No attorney-client relationship. Contacting this office does not create an attorney-client relationship. Nothing on this website constitutes an offer to represent you.