Law FirmCohen & Malad, LLP
One Indiana Sq #1400, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204
Indiana's Civil Rights Advocates
Cohen & Malad, LLP is a prominent Indianapolis-based plaintiffs' litigation firm with a long-standing history of representing individuals whose constitutional and civil rights have been violated by government actors, including law enforcement. Founded on principles of accountability and justice, the firm has built a reputation across Indiana for taking on cases that challenge abuses of power by police departments, municipal governments, and other public entities. Their civil rights practice encompasses a wide range of misconduct, including excessive force, unlawful arrests, wrongful detention, and violations of Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
The firm's civil rights attorneys have litigated cases at both the trial and appellate levels, securing significant recoveries for victims of police brutality and government overreach. Cohen & Malad has represented clients in cases involving serious physical injuries and wrongful deaths caused by law enforcement, holding officers and municipalities accountable under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and related federal statutes. The attorneys at the firm bring decades of combined experience navigating the complex procedural and substantive hurdles inherent in civil rights litigation against government defendants.
Beyond individual case results, Cohen & Malad has contributed to the development of civil rights law in Indiana through its appellate advocacy and its willingness to pursue cases that establish important precedents for victims of police misconduct. The firm is recognized among Indiana's legal community for its dedication to plaintiffs in high-stakes civil litigation, combining aggressive courtroom advocacy with thorough pre-trial investigation and discovery. Their work in civil rights law complements a broader practice that includes class actions, personal injury, and mass tort litigation.
Cohen & Malad operates out of its Indianapolis headquarters and primarily serves clients throughout the state of Indiana. The firm's civil rights practice remains a core component of its identity, reflecting a commitment to ensuring that individuals harmed by unconstitutional government conduct have access to skilled and experienced legal representation capable of challenging even well-resourced governmental defendants.
Notable Results
- In April 2026, filed a major federal lawsuit on behalf of multiple women alleging systemic abuse and forced labor at an Indiana residential program
- Proven track record of securing seven- and eight-figure results in institutional negligence cases
Key Characteristics
- Has litigated civil rights cases against Indiana law enforcement agencies and municipalities under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, pursuing accountability for unconstitutional conduct by police officers.
- Represents victims of excessive force and unlawful arrests, seeking compensatory and punitive damages against individual officers and the government entities that employ them.
- Has handled wrongful death cases arising from fatal police encounters, advocating on behalf of surviving family members against law enforcement defendants.
- Brings appellate-level experience to civil rights matters, contributing to the development of civil rights precedent in Indiana federal and state courts.
- Combines a plaintiffs-only litigation philosophy with decades of collective experience in high-stakes civil litigation against well-resourced governmental defendants.