The following matters are cases where Center Attorneys have committed to participate in defense of civil rights:

O'Dell v. Town of Tiverton

Tax Cap Litigation.
Gendreau v. Canario - II
Due Process and Second Amendment Litigation.

Eikeland v. Silva, In His Official Capacity as Chief Of Police Of The City Of Newport

Due Process and Second Amendment Litigation.

Nichols v. Town of Warren

Property Rights and Second Amendment Litigation.

Completed Cases

Gendreau v. Canario, In His Official Capacity as Chief of Police of the Town of Bristol
Due Process, Equal Protection, and Second Amendment Litigation.

Nelson v. Durfee

Amicus Brief to the Rhode Island Supreme Court supporting the First Amendment right of taxpayers to speak out against government officials.
United States v. Pleau
Amicus Brief to the First Circuit Court of Appeals arguing for limits of federal criminal jurisdiction.

Valentine v. Coyle in his Official Capacity as Chief of Police of the Town of East Greenwich

Due Process and Second Amendment Litigation by Letterhead

In Re:Cranston Father-Daughter Dances

Equal Protection and First Amendment Litigation by Letterhead

Case Suggestions and Requests

The Stephen Hopkin's Center for Civil Rights provides free and reduced cost legal representation to Rhode Islanders whose constitutional rights are violated by government. Because our resources are limited, we must carefully choose among meritorious cases that will create broadly applicable precedents, with a primary focus on the Rhode Island Constitution.


We do not take the following types of cases:
  • criminal cases
  • cases against private parties
  • most cases involving financial claims against the government
  • fact-specific or factually complex cases that are not likely to produce broadly applicable precedents
  • cases involving governmental conspiracies
  • cases that are already in court
  • cases outside of Rhode Island

If you believe your case fits within the parameters for consideration, email [email protected]. Please give your contact information and relevant information regarding your case. Also, please note that we cannot take case inquiries over the phone or in person.

We welcome all inquiries, but due to the large number of inquiries submitted, we are not always able to respond to each one.  If your inquiry falls within our area of expertise, we will make every effort to respond as time and resources permit. Please understand that we cannot provide legal advice unless we agree to take your case.

Learn more about the Stephen Hopkins Center's legal cases here.

If you are interested in donating to the Stephen Hopkins Center for Civil Rights please E-mail [email protected].