Success in Federal Court

UNDER THREAT OF ACTION BY FEDERAL JUDGE, CITY OF AUSTIN RESCINDS UNLAWFUL ORDER INVADING MARRIED COUPLE'S RIGHTS TO PRIVACY

On Friday afternoon, our office prevailed against the City of Austin's legal department in front of Federal District Judge Robert Pitman. In February, the City of Austin issued a "No Contact Order" against one of its police detectives, forbidding him from any contact with his own wife. This was a clear overstep of the married couple's constitutional rights. After our office prepared and filed an unusual and creative lawsuit against the City in state court, the City moved the case to the U.S. District Court for The Western District of Texas, Austin Division. Upon our office preparing and asking for an emergency hearing from the court, the Judge immediately demanded to hear from the City and the Plaintiffs that same afternoon. Only moments later, in a move we believe indicated an acknowledgment of defeat, the City voluntarily rescinded its order. This win should signal that Austin Police will not be treated unfairly by the City without taking action--and that none of us will stand for an authoritarian City Attorney's office. Mr. Wood thanks his 15-year career dedicated to civil litigation, and 11-years representing Austin Police Officers in civil lawsuits for the experience and strategy that led to this major victory. We also extend thanks to CLEAT (specifically attorney Alyssa Urban) for our partnership in successfully defending an officer's rights in this case.