PRISONERS’ RIGHTS LITIGATION

In prisons and jails across the country, transgender people are disproportionately targeted for violence, sexual abuse, and harassment.  Through litigation and legislative advocacy, Medina Orthwein LLP is committed to fighting on behalf of transgender people in custody who are dehumanized and disempowered by our carceral system.

Founding partner Jen Orthwien brings a unique perspective to the firm’s prison and jail work as a former psychologist within the California state prison system.  With an intimate understanding of the institutional barriers, harmful policies, and culture of violence transgender people in custody face, Jen and the Medina Orthwein team represent and advocate for trans people who have been subjected to violations of their constitutional rights behind bars, including discrimination, retaliation, and excessive force.   Medina Orthwein has also expanded protections for transgender people in custody across the state, including increasing access to gender affirming items and medical care, and most recently, the firm co-authored and co-sponsored a bill that will allow transgender, intersex and gender nonbinary people to have a voice in prison housing decisions.

If you, a loved one, or a member of your community has been discriminated against, retaliated against, or abused in a California prison or jail, please contact us to see if we can help.