Practice Areas and Services
Federal constitutional and civil rights matters, handled from agency complaints through appeals.
Jump Start Legal Justice Center focuses exclusively on federal constitutional and civil rights work. We represent clients when government actors cross the line, whether through policies, enforcement decisions, or unequal treatment in public spaces and public institutions. The summaries below outline the main categories of matters we accept and how we typically help.
Why Federal Court
Many constitutional and civil rights claims arise from the actions of government officials, agencies, and entities. These cases often belong in federal court, where judges apply the United States Constitution and federal civil rights statutes to the facts. By focusing on federal work, we stay current with changing precedent in courts of appeals across the country and can evaluate how similar issues have been handled in other jurisdictions.
Licensed to practice law in Texas
Federal civil rights statutes including Section 1983, Bivens, RFRA, and RLUIPA
Matters involving federal, state, and local government actors
Areas Where We Commonly Work
Use the following as card titles and descriptions. Each card links to its own detailed practice page.
Religious Freedom and Free Exercise
When government rules or decisions burden sincere religious practice or treat religious exercise as less important than comparable secular activity.
Zoning and land use decisions that single out religious gatherings
Public school or university policies affecting religious exercise
Public employment or government benefits conditioned on changing or hiding religious practice
Free Speech, Assembly and Protest Rights
Protecting speech, assembly, and protest activity in public spaces, campuses, and other forums where the government must follow the First Amendment.
Marches, protests, vigils, and demonstrations in public streets or parks
Campus speech codes, speaker disinvitations, and unequal access to facilities
Permit schemes or police practices that target particular messages or groups
Equal Protection and Anti Discrimination
Challenging government actions that treat people or organizations differently because of religion, race, national origin, or other protected traits.
Unequal enforcement of rules or penalties
Profiling in public services, schools, or law enforcement
Barriers to access public programs or spaces based on identity
Federal Civil Rights Litigation
Using federal civil rights tools, including Section 1983, Bivens, RFRA, and RLUIPA, to hold government actors accountable when they violate clearly established rights.
Lawsuits against officials and entities for violating constitutional rights
Claims for injunctive relief, declaratory relief, and, when appropriate, damages
Coordination between trial and appellate strategy from the outset
Advice in Advance for Protests
Proactive counsel for organizers before marches, vigils, or demonstrations, so they understand the rules, the limits, and their options if lines are crossed.
Review of proposed routes and locations
Evaluation of permit requirements and time, place, and manner rules
Guidance on interacting with law enforcement and documenting issues
Trainings and Legal Updates
Customized trainings and legal updates for boards, staff, community leaders, and activists on constitutional rights, current case law, and practical limits.
Trainings for religious organizations and nonprofits
Briefings for advocacy groups planning campaigns or events
CLE style presentations for lawyers, bar groups, or professional associations
"Laws and Limits" Know Your Rights Resources and Videos
Know your rights materials and short format videos explaining how core constitutional protections apply in everyday situations for individuals, congregations, and community groups.
Issue specific Know Your Rights handouts for common scenarios
Short Laws and Limits videos that explain rights and limits in practical terms
Resources for use in trainings, study groups, and community meetings
A Career Spent Litigating Rights That Matter
Christy has represented clients in cases involving free speech, assembly, and protest rights, religious freedom and free exercise, equal protection, and related federal civil-rights claims. Her work has included both trial and appellate advocacy, developing factual records in district courts and briefing and arguing appeals when cases advance.
At the Constitutional Law Center for Muslims in America, she built and led a civil litigation team focused on what she has described as the "pure law" of constitutional rights. That work centered on presenting federal courts with clear records and arguments about what the Constitution and civil-rights statutes require, regardless of the popularity of the clients or causes involved.
Unsure Where Your Situation Belongs
Constitutional problems do not always show up with clear labels. If your concern involves government action that seems to single you or your organization out because of what you believe, what you say, or who you are, we can review the facts and identify whether one or more of these practice areas applies.
This website is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Viewing this site or contacting Jump Start Legal Justice Center does not create an attorney client relationship. No attorney client relationship exists unless and until a written fee agreement is signed. Attorney licensed in Texas. Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.