Mariann Meier Wang

Representative Cases

NYPD Systemic Discrimination/Sex Assault Case

Our firm is spearheading a systemic case in an effort to remedy the NYPD’s discriminatory failure of those brave sexual assault survivors who report their crimes to the police. Read the complaint and extensive press coverage.

A.P. v. United States of America

Achieved unprecedented settlement for a woman who was repeatedly raped and sexually abused by federal corrections officers in Metropolitan Detention Center (“MDC”), which has a history of sex abuse. Sued government and federal officials for their negligence and deliberate indifference to the widespread abuse of power that led to the assaults.

In Re Fair Housing Justice Center, Inc. (“FHJC”)

Representing FHJC and multiple plaintiffs in multiple actions in state and federal court seeking systemic injunctive relief to address and prevent future discrimination on the basis of race, source of income, and disability.

Zervos v. Trump

Sued Donald J. Trump for nearly three years on behalf of Summer Zervos in her defamation lawsuit, successfully establishing that a sitting President is not immune from a civil damages action in New York State court for statements and actions taken as a civilian. We defeated multiple efforts by Trump in three different courts to have the case dismissed or stayed. Ms. Zervos bravely came forward as one of a number of women who reported being forcibly groped by Trump, who then falsely branded her as a liar. We sued him for defamation, making new law that builds on case law we had made in a prior action in New York’s highest court.  Read extensive news coverage by The Washington Post, CNN, and PBS.

Sexual Assaults, Sexual Abuse, Sex Harassment and Racial Abuse/Harassment

Represented hundreds of individuals who have suffered severe sexual harassment, assaults, or other forms of abuse in a variety of contexts, including employment, housing, education, in prisons, and other circumstances through both confidential mediations and litigation. For example:

• Successfully represented numerous students who suffered a rape or sexual assault, and then retaliation for reporting the incident, in Title IX proceedings and lawsuits;
• Obtained more than $150 million and other forms of relief, including requiring investigations, for survivors of childhood sexual abuse at different institutions who were abused by doctors, teachers, administrators, and/or coaches;
• Successfully litigated and mediated multiple actions in federal court on behalf of women who suffered sexual assaults at work and outside of work, by both supervisors and co-workers, and were then retaliated against when it was reported;
• Obtained settlements from security company and landlord after woman was raped in her own home;
• Forced major financial services company to pay over $1 million for violations of discrimination law based on sexual overtures of one of its supervisors, as well as racial attacks by the same individual;
• Counseled and represented numerous rape survivors in the aftermath of their attack;
• Represented group of male fire safety officers who were discriminated against on the basis of their Caribbean descent/national origin and race. Successfully settled.

T.H. v. City of New York

Alongside Legal Services NYC, successfully litigated injunctive and damages case against the City of New York for the Department of Education’s improper/overbroad use of emergency services to deal with special needs children in schools.

Strip Search Class Action

Litigated a class action that resulted in extensive injunctive relief, including a special monitor for two years, and a $33 million settlement for 100,000 persons who were illegally strip searched upon admission to Rikers after being arraigned solely on misdemeanor or lesser offenses.

Vilkhu v. City of New York

Obtained a jury verdict for Mr. Vilkhu, who was beaten by two NYPD officers, despite the fact that there were no eyewitnesses and the officers denied that the incident occurred. Collected over half a million dollars in damages and fees.

Cruz v. Nieves

Obtained jury verdict for a gay man who was subjected to vicious homophobic harassment while he lived in a Bronx apartment building based on New York State and City laws prohibiting housing discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Trademark Infringement

Successfully represented several companies in prosecuting and defending against trademark infringement actions, including a large luxury-clothing retailer, an urban music company, and a radio show.

Contract Disputes and Business Torts

Successfully represented numerous small businesses and publicly held corporations in a wide range of commercial cases alleging business torts and contract disputes.