Loader

Civil + Constitutional Rights Litigation

The attorneys at Taylor & Knight have built a strong reputation for successfully litigating complex and high-stakes civil and constitutional rights cases for plaintiffs and defendants throughout Tennessee. The attorneys at Taylor & Knight have a deep understanding of the complicated legal issues that so often arise in civil and constitutional rights cases.

We frequently represent governmental and non-governmental entities in Section 1983 actions ranging from alleged substantive and procedural due process violations to retaliation cases involving the exercise of First Amendment rights. Our firm has also represented plaintiffs in claims against state actors for constitutional rights violations in the areas of de facto takings of property without just compensation, unequal enforcement of governmental regulations and licenses, and other constitutional torts.

In summary, the attorneys at Taylor & Knight have successfully represented both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide-range of complex civil and constitutional rights cases across the State of Tennessee. More importantly, our lawyers are strong and compelling courtroom advocates with the skills and experience necessary to handle a diverse range of cases involving federal, state and local civil rights statutes and protections, including, but not limited to:

Civil + Constitutional Cases

  • Constitutional and Statutory Claims
    • Cruel and Unusual Punishment Claims under the Eighth Amendment
    • Denial of Medical Care Claims under the Fourth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution
    • Due Process Claims
    • Equal Protection Claims
    • Establishment Clause Violations
    • Excessive Force Claims
    • First Amendment Claims
    • Fundamental Rights Claims
    • Religious Expression Claims
    • Section 1983 Civil Rights Claims
    • Section 1985 Conspiracy to Interfere with Civil Rights Claims
    • Unreasonable Search and Seizure Claims
  • Abuse of Process
  • Civil Conspiracy
  • Defamation (libel and slander)
  • Discrimination
  • False Arrest
  • Government Ethics, Misconduct, Fraud and Abuse
  • Hazing
  • Invasion of privacy (false light, intrusion into private affairs, etc.)
  • Malicious Prosecution
  • Police Misconduct
  • Various State Civil and Constitutional Rights Statutes
    • Tennessee Human Rights Act
    • Tennessee Open Records Act, Open Meetings Act & Sunshine Laws
    • Tennessee Teacher Tenure Act
  • Voting Rights

What our clients are saying.

  • The law firm of Taylor & Knight helped me get the justice that I deserved from Knox County, Tennessee. After suffering a serious neck injury while incarcerated in the Detention Facility, Knox County and its staff completely ignored me as my symptoms got worse and worse. I was consciously ignored for over two months and was eventually diagnosed with broken vertebrae in my neck. I hired Jonathan Taylor to help me hold Knox County liable and accountable for my injuries. Even before the case started, Jonathan helped me with tasks that he didn’t have to spend time on. After a long legal battle, Jonathan won my case at trial and helped negotiate a favorable settlement with one of the individuals who consciously disregarded my obvious neck injury. When all was said and done, Jonathan and Taylor & Knight helped me recover close to three quarters of a million dollars. If you have been seriously injured by someone and need legal assistance, you should call Jonathan Taylor and the law firm of Taylor & Knight.

    Client

  • The law firm of Taylor & Knight has been an indispensable asset that I have had in my corner while serving as an East Tennessee Sheriff for the last five years. Taylor & Knight has represented me and my County on a number of cases with a great percentage of success. Early in my first term, Jonathan Taylor advised me on the pros and cons of taking a set of employment cases to trial that arose under the County’s former Sheriff. After taking hours to carefully detail what would come of each particular case, the County Commission decided to settle all of the cases in separate commission meetings. I am convinced that this decision ultimately saved my County tens of thousands of dollars that going to trial and risking an adverse judgment would have cost the taxpayers and citizens of my County. Although Taylor & Knight prides itself on being excellent trial attorneys, they also know when alternative dispute resolutions are in the best interest of their clients. I can say that I honestly look forward to having Taylor & Knight on my legal team while moving forward in my law enforcement career and would highly recommend them to any other county, individual, or business that is in need of any legal representation.

    Sheriff for East TN County

  • I have known the attorneys at Taylor & Knight for the better part of twenty years and I never hesitate to call on them for legal assistance and representation when my County or its employees or elected officials have been sued in various matters. All of the attorneys at Taylor & Knight are proven trial attorneys and true legal professionals that sincerely care about their clients.

    County Law Director

  • Jonathan Swann Taylor and the law firm of Taylor & Knight saved my business and my livelihood. After being sued as a subcontractor on one of my jobs, the future of my business was up in the air. As a small business owner, any extra money that must be spent to defend a lawsuit can be detrimental, let alone the three quarters of a million dollars that the business that sued me was trying to get. Jonathan traveled over five hours across the state of Tennessee to come defend my interests. After a masterful performance by Jonathan at trial, the case against me and my business was dismissed. Taylor & Knight literally saved my business. I have since used the services of Jonathan and Taylor & Knight on other legal issues and wouldn’t think twice about referring them to a family member or friend in need of legal assistance on any type of case in any courtroom across the State of Tennessee.

    Billy Davis

  • I have been fortunate to work with many fine attorneys over the past 50+ years of my career, and I can say with confidence that the firm of Taylor & Knight works to the absolute highest standards of competence and technical expertise. An invaluable resource to my own business, I've never hesitated to refer clients to this firm when they've needed legal advice or representation.

    Knoxville CPA

  • Not only have the attorneys of Taylor & Knight exceeded my expectations, but so have their staff. The Taylor & Knight staff is exceptional in providing quick, knowledgeable, and efficient responses to any question or concern that I have. Taylor & Knight’s staff doesn’t merely respond just to acknowledge that I had a question or concern; they always provide me with well-thought-out, knowledgeable information and they always do it in manner that is very kind and courteous.

    Client

  • I have personally worked with Jonathan Taylor and Arthur Knight of Taylor & Knight, GP for over ten years and can say unequivocally that they are two of the very best trial lawyers in East Tennessee. They are comfortable in all phases of litigation, but they particularly excel in front of a jury. My County has had numerous cases go to trial over the last ten years and they have won every single case that has been tried. They’ve achieved a successful outcome regardless of whether it was a civil rights or torts case, as well as whether it was in federal court or state court.

    Chief Jailer for East TN County

  • Taylor & Knight clearly understands the purposes, needs, and desired outcome of their clients and efficiently use their know-how and expertise from the beginning to the end of the legal process. The experience and results they provide are unmatched to any other lawyers in East Tennessee.

    Client

  • Arthur Knight and the attorneys at Taylor & Knight were invaluable in helping me through one of the most trying and difficult times of my life. After being illegally terminated because of my personal religious beliefs, I was devastated. Not only was I distraught over losing the job that I had worked so hard to obtain, but I was extremely anxious about whether I would be able to get my life back on track. Arthur and the law firm of Taylor & Knight took me through my case step-by-step and made the legal process very comfortable for me. After initially winning my case, but not satisfied with the lack of justice I had received, the attorneys at Taylor & Knight successfully appealed my case which resulted in me obtaining a new verdict that was six figures larger. Their hard fighting in the courtroom not only helped me recover for the harm done to me, but they also successfully made my former employer pay for all of my legal fees. Taylor & Knight’s representation was literally life changing. Having been thrilled with Taylor & Knight’s handling of several legal issues I’ve had over the years; I would not hesitate one second to refer any of my friends or family to them.

    De’Ossie Dingus

  • Dudley W. Taylor has served my business and my clients for more than 40 years. It's rare to find someone who balances his level of technical tax expertise with such an ease of communication. It's obvious that Dudley loves the work he does, and that has made working with him one of the great pleasures of my career.

    Harold E. Elkins, CPA

Ready to discuss your case?

Let us help you get the results you deserve.

Free Consultation