AttorneyShelley L. Stangler
Stangler
105 Eisenhower Parkway, Roseland, New Jersey, 07068
New Jersey Civil Rights Advocate
Shelley L. Stangler has spent decades establishing herself as a formidable opponent against law enforcement misconduct and institutional overreach in New Jersey and New York. Before founding her independent practice, she honed her high-stakes litigation skills during a seven-year tenure as a trial attorney for the Corporation Counsel of the City of New York's Tort Division. This inside look at municipal defense gave her a distinct strategic advantage, allowing her to anticipate the tactics government entities use to shield police departments from accountability.
Her dedicated approach to civil rights law was further solidified during her time handling complex litigation at Starr, Gern, Davison & Rubin, P.C., where she served as the primary engine for the firm's police misconduct and constitutional violations cases. While other sectors of the firm focused heavily on standard personal injury or commercial disputes, Stangler consistently took on the complex, emotionally charged cases that required challenging entrenched police cultures and municipal immunity.
Today, operating through her own firm, Stangler remains a relentless advocate for victims of systemic abuse. Her practice is built on the philosophy that holding law enforcement accountable is vital to protecting the constitutional rights of the broader community. She focuses on uncovering hidden evidence, breaking through the 'blue wall of silence,' and ensuring that victims of police overreach receive the significant financial compensation and justice they deserve.
Notable Results
- 450,000 death case involving the use of excessive force. Here the 27 year old intoxicated male was stopped by the police. The police officer shot and killed our client after being locked in the car trying to disable the car with the young man taking off in the vehicle with the police officer. We proved that through a series of police errors in the handling and de-escalation of the situation, including violation of policy and training protocols, the shooting could have and should have been prevented. It is noted that this was considered an extremely difficult case to pursue with several attorney unwilling to undertake representation. Shelley Stangler obtained a highly successful result by understanding and focusing on violations of police policy and lack of training.
- Primary force in holding New Jersey jail systems accountable for inmate medical neglect
- $1,300,000 settlement recovered for the family of an individual in a high-profile beating death case involving severe civil rights violations and excessive force
- $150,000 settlement for an individual struck by a police cruiser and subsequently beaten by officers
- $107,000 settlement against the Paterson Police Department for street-level excessive force caught on video
- Multiple confidential settlements against county jail facilities and public entities for failing to protect vulnerable inmates and ignoring critical medical needs
Key Characteristics
- Decades of experience litigating civil rights claims against New Jersey law enforcement agencies and government entities.
- Handles Section 1983 federal civil rights cases involving excessive force, false arrest, and unlawful detention by police officers.
- Represents clients in claims against municipal police departments, county sheriff offices, and state law enforcement throughout New Jersey.
- Known for thorough factual investigation and aggressive courtroom advocacy on behalf of victims of police misconduct.
- Provides client-centered representation to individuals and families harmed by unconstitutional government conduct.
- Her foundational background representing municipal interests in New York City gives her deep insight into how city lawyers defend police misconduct, allowing her to build airtight cases for plaintiffs
- Known for her willingness to push cases all the way to a jury verdict rather than accepting lowball settlements from municipal insurance pools
- Serves on the Board of Governors for the New Jersey Association for Justice, keeping her at the forefront of shifting civil rights legislation and litigation strategies
- Also admitted to practice in New York in addition to New Jersey