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BNCL Law Firm


“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” — The Declaration of Independence

When the Declaration of Independence asserted a fundamental right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” it didn’t apply to slaves or even a free black man. It didn’t apply to women, and often didn’t apply to immigrants. Not until the civil rights legislation of the 1960s did the laws catch up with the vision of liberty and justice for all.

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A Voice For Those Whose Rights Are Ignored

When the Declaration of Independence asserted a fundamental right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” it didn’t apply to slaves or even a free black man. It didn’t apply to women, and often didn’t apply to immigrants. Not until the civil rights legislation of the 1960s did the laws catch up with the vision of liberty and justice for all.“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” — The Declaration of Independence. ….And reality has still not caught up with the law. Attorney John Burris, who came of age during the civil rights movement of the ’60s, still finds himself busy addressing civil rights violations in 21st century America. Despite a long record of notable victories for clients stretching back over 25 years, he knows there is much work to be done. Our firm fights for justice throughout California, including Oakland, San Francisco, & Los Angeles.

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Helping Citizens Stand Up for Their Rights

Our clients are people who are unable to fight for themselves. For some, previous experience with the legal system has been painful or fruitless — they have no expectation of justice. For others, a criminal record, mental illness or addiction puts them at an automatic disadvantage when alleging police abuse or workplace discrimination. At the Law Offices of John L. Burris, our mission is to give everyone access to justice. Mr. Burris has numerous million-dollar verdicts and settlements to show for it, but some of his most cherished victories have resulted in major policy changes by police departments, government entities and employers — whether achieved through a settlement agreement or mandated by the court. Contact an Oakland lawyer today at 510-839-5200. We do not charge for an initial consultation, and in many cases we do not collect attorney fees unless we win compensation.

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We will fight to protect your legal rights under the law.

The Law Offices of John L. Burris represents men and women of every race, every station in life. Our Oakland-based lawyers have represented citizens of the San Francisco Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley, Los Angeles, – through out California in the full spectrum of civil rights and constitutional law litigation.:

  • Police misconduct, including excessive force, deadly force, false arrest, illegal searches, racial profiling or jail abuse
  • Employment discrimination, including racial discrimination, sex discrimination and wrongful termination
  • Violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, including failure to make reasonable accommodations for the blind, deaf and physically disabled
  • Civil rights abuses of people with mental illness or mental impairments
  • Violations of the First Amendment (free speech), Fourth Amendment (search and seizure), Eighth Amendment (cruel and unusual punishment) or Fourteenth Amendment (due process and equal protection)
About Us

Decades Of Success

Since 1985 in CA

In 1985, John L. Burris created a law firm committed to serving, largely underserved clients. While Mr. Burris’s practice initially focused on criminal defense, he quickly shifted to an emphasis on civil rights litigation, particularly in police misconduct and racial and sexual discrimination in employment. Today, the firm serves the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, Central California, Los Angeles, and Southern California. With a commitment to fight for justice worldwide!

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Practice Areas

We Fight For Your Civil Rights

Police Misconduct

Police misconduct is shockingly common in California. From the infamous beating of Rodney King and the riots in Los Angeles that ensued, to the incidents of police violence that go unnoticed today, misconduct by law enforcement is all too common in The Golden State. Police officers are given great power...

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Employment Discrimination

Employment discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, or medical history, including disabilities....

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Appellate Court

Sometimes our civil rights cases require appellate practice to preserve or ensure the victory.....

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Case Results

Reginald Oliver v. City of Oakland

Oakland Police keep fabricating evidence and lying about minorities to arrest and prosecute them for supposed “gang” crimes, in violation of a settlement that prohibits …

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Named plaintiff Reginald Oliver claims the Oakland PD continues violating the Constitution, in defiance of the settlement in Delphine Allen e al. v. City of Oakland, USDC No. C-00-4599 TEH, also known as "The Riders" litigation. Read Full Course
John Burris
Jane Smith v. City of Oakland

Racial profiling of Asian women by police officer resulting in a class action complaint for damages, declaratory and injunctive relief

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Finding evidence about defendant's post-conviction parole violation unfairly prejudicial "since the jury could have construed that parole violation as character evidence in violation of Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b)" Read Full Course
Rodney King
Rodney King v. City of Los Angeles

Rodney King has filed a petition for a writ of mandamus seeking to have Judge John G. Davies disqualified from presiding at the trial of …

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Rodney King waited too long to file a malpractice suit against the first of 27 lawyers who represented him in connection with the infamous beating he suffered from Los Angeles police in 1991, this district’s Court of Appeal ruled yesterday. The ruling by Div. Two affirmed Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Ann Kough’s grant of summary judgment to Steven Lerman. King earlier this year dismissed his appeal of Kough’s ruling in favor of two other lawyers sued in the case, Federico Sayre and John Burris. Read Full Course
FEATURED News & Updates

Civil rights lawyer John Burris confronts police narratives

Written by Janie Har, AP researcher Rhonda Shafner also contributed to this report. To read on AP News click here OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Before …

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