Spears & Filipovits, LLC
@spearsfilipovits.bsky.social
A civil rights law firm in Decatur, Georgia. civil-rights.law
Coverage by @appenmedia.bsky.social of our work in an Open Records case: 'Fulton Sheriff’s Office settles open records lawsuit for $75,000' www.appenmedia.com/news/fulton-...
Fulton Sheriff’s Office settles open records lawsuit for $75,000
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office has paid $75,000 to settle an open records lawsuit after unlawfully withholding video of a woman being choked by a jailer, according to law firm
www.appenmedia.com
October 24, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Coverage by @appenmedia.bsky.social of our work in an Open Records case: 'Fulton Sheriff’s Office settles open records lawsuit for $75,000' www.appenmedia.com/news/fulton-...
"Fulton County facing lawsuits over homestead exemptions" www.wabe.org/fulton-count...
Fulton County facing lawsuits over homestead exemptions
In recent years, Fulton County has come under fire for retroactively revoking homestead exemptions when someone dies, then billing heirs or co-owners for multiple years of back taxes. Two proposed cla...
www.wabe.org
September 30, 2025 at 4:59 PM
"Fulton County facing lawsuits over homestead exemptions" www.wabe.org/fulton-count...
Atlanta News First covers a newly filed lawsuit with representation from Spears & Filipovits: "Mother files lawsuit against medical providers at Bartow, Cherokee jails after son dies" www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/09/24/m...
Mother files lawsuit against medical providers at Bartow, Cherokee jails after son dies
The lawsuit claims Bradley Fullerton died at the Bartow County Jail on Oct. 17, 2023, after having seizure activity for 45 minutes.
www.atlantanewsfirst.com
September 29, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Atlanta News First covers a newly filed lawsuit with representation from Spears & Filipovits: "Mother files lawsuit against medical providers at Bartow, Cherokee jails after son dies" www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2025/09/24/m...
Reposted by Spears & Filipovits, LLC
Two lawsuits challenge Fulton’s retroactive homestead exemption clawbacks
Heirs and co-owners have been hit with crushing bills for back property taxes, the lawsuits say.
Heirs and co-owners have been hit with crushing bills for back property taxes, the lawsuits say.
Two lawsuits challenge Fulton’s retroactive homestead exemption clawbacks
Heirs and co-owners have been hit with crushing bills for back property taxes, the lawsuits say.
atlantaciviccircle.org
September 17, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Two lawsuits challenge Fulton’s retroactive homestead exemption clawbacks
Heirs and co-owners have been hit with crushing bills for back property taxes, the lawsuits say.
Heirs and co-owners have been hit with crushing bills for back property taxes, the lawsuits say.
The Miami Herald covers a newly filed suit with representation from Spears & Filipovits: "Jail staff ignored man having a seizure until he died in GA, mom’s lawsuit says" www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
Jail staff ignored man having a seizure until he died in GA, mom’s lawsuit says
“He was the most resilient and amazing human, and this world was richer for having him in it.”
www.miamiherald.com
September 3, 2025 at 7:57 PM
The Miami Herald covers a newly filed suit with representation from Spears & Filipovits: "Jail staff ignored man having a seizure until he died in GA, mom’s lawsuit says" www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
Spears & Filipovits is among the firms and attorneys who "lead this week's edition of Law360 Legal Lions, after the U.S. Supreme Court held that the Constitution's supremacy clause cannot shield the federal government from Federal Tort Claims Act suits." www.law360.com/pulse/articl...
Law360's Legal Lions Of The Week - Law360 Pulse
The Institute for Justice, Mitchell Shapiro Greenamyre & Funt LLP, Spears & Filipovits LLC and attorney Lisa Lambert lead this week's edition of Law360 Legal Lions, after the U.S. Supreme Cour...
www.law360.com
June 27, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Spears & Filipovits is among the firms and attorneys who "lead this week's edition of Law360 Legal Lions, after the U.S. Supreme Court held that the Constitution's supremacy clause cannot shield the federal government from Federal Tort Claims Act suits." www.law360.com/pulse/articl...
Reposted by Spears & Filipovits, LLC
VICTORY!!! Supreme Court Sides with Family in Wrong House Raid Case
In April, the Court heard argument in Martin v. United States.
Today we won!
ij.org/press-releas...
#WrongHouseRaid #MartinVUS #SCOTUS #SupremeCourt
In April, the Court heard argument in Martin v. United States.
Today we won!
ij.org/press-releas...
#WrongHouseRaid #MartinVUS #SCOTUS #SupremeCourt
June 12, 2025 at 2:53 PM
VICTORY!!! Supreme Court Sides with Family in Wrong House Raid Case
In April, the Court heard argument in Martin v. United States.
Today we won!
ij.org/press-releas...
#WrongHouseRaid #MartinVUS #SCOTUS #SupremeCourt
In April, the Court heard argument in Martin v. United States.
Today we won!
ij.org/press-releas...
#WrongHouseRaid #MartinVUS #SCOTUS #SupremeCourt
Reposted by Spears & Filipovits, LLC
Yet another ex. of how state response to movement against “Cop City” training center has led me to stories I never thought I’d have to write:
@neonflag.bsky.social @micahh.bsky.social
@dnbrgr.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
@neonflag.bsky.social @micahh.bsky.social
@dnbrgr.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Woman sues Atlanta officer for allegedly leaving her topless in squad car
Incident – which included masked officer opening car to take a photo of her – took place during Swat-style raid
www.theguardian.com
June 6, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Yet another ex. of how state response to movement against “Cop City” training center has led me to stories I never thought I’d have to write:
@neonflag.bsky.social @micahh.bsky.social
@dnbrgr.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
@neonflag.bsky.social @micahh.bsky.social
@dnbrgr.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Spears & Filipovits, LLC
A SWAT team broke down an innocent family’s door. But when they tried to get justice, the court slammed its doors in their face.
Tomorrow, we take this fight to #SCOTUS. 🏛️
Today, you can hear the full backstory from @apnews.com:
Tomorrow, we take this fight to #SCOTUS. 🏛️
Today, you can hear the full backstory from @apnews.com:
The FBI mistakenly raided their Atlanta home. Now the Supreme Court will hear their lawsuit
The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in a yearslong legal battle over an FBI raid on the wrong Atlanta house.
apnews.com
April 28, 2025 at 8:55 PM
A SWAT team broke down an innocent family’s door. But when they tried to get justice, the court slammed its doors in their face.
Tomorrow, we take this fight to #SCOTUS. 🏛️
Today, you can hear the full backstory from @apnews.com:
Tomorrow, we take this fight to #SCOTUS. 🏛️
Today, you can hear the full backstory from @apnews.com:
Reposted by Spears & Filipovits, LLC
Law enforcement raids on the wrong home are alarmingly frequent and destructive. An effective legal remedy is essential for their victims. We're proud to back @ij.org as they take their case to #SCOTUS.
engage.nlg-npap.org/node/200643
@spearsfilipovits.bsky.social @yalelawschool-yls.bsky.social
engage.nlg-npap.org/node/200643
@spearsfilipovits.bsky.social @yalelawschool-yls.bsky.social
March 20, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Law enforcement raids on the wrong home are alarmingly frequent and destructive. An effective legal remedy is essential for their victims. We're proud to back @ij.org as they take their case to #SCOTUS.
engage.nlg-npap.org/node/200643
@spearsfilipovits.bsky.social @yalelawschool-yls.bsky.social
engage.nlg-npap.org/node/200643
@spearsfilipovits.bsky.social @yalelawschool-yls.bsky.social
WSB-TV coverage of homeowners' lawsuit against Fulton County with representation from Spears & Filipovits and Atlanta Legal Aid: 'Lawsuit claims Fulton Co. retroactively removing homestead exemptions from heir homes' www.wsbtv.com/news/local/f...
Lawsuit claims Fulton Co. retroactively removing homestead exemptions from heir homes
Under state law, heirs are eligible for property tax breaks even while they finalize their parents’ estates.
www.wsbtv.com
February 21, 2025 at 2:50 PM
WSB-TV coverage of homeowners' lawsuit against Fulton County with representation from Spears & Filipovits and Atlanta Legal Aid: 'Lawsuit claims Fulton Co. retroactively removing homestead exemptions from heir homes' www.wsbtv.com/news/local/f...
Jeff Filipovits is among the featured interview subjects in the new podcast "We Came to the Forest," about the "Stop Cop City" protests and the police killing of Manuel Esteban Paez Terán. wondery.com/shows/we-cam...
January 31, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Jeff Filipovits is among the featured interview subjects in the new podcast "We Came to the Forest," about the "Stop Cop City" protests and the police killing of Manuel Esteban Paez Terán. wondery.com/shows/we-cam...
A @wabe.org report about our recently filed suit: 'Lawsuit claims Fulton County oversteps its power in practice that retroactively raises homeowners' taxes' www.wabe.org/fulton-count...
Lawsuit claims Fulton County oversteps its power in practice that retroactively raises homeowners' taxes
A new lawsuit claims Fulton County is retroactively raising people’s taxes – even while state law doesn’t give the county that power.
www.wabe.org
January 30, 2025 at 4:40 PM
A @wabe.org report about our recently filed suit: 'Lawsuit claims Fulton County oversteps its power in practice that retroactively raises homeowners' taxes' www.wabe.org/fulton-count...
Spears & Filipovits partner Jeff Filipovits was a featured speaker last week at the annual Section 1983 civil rights litigation seminar at the State Bar of Georgia. Partner Brian Spears is the co-chair and co-host of the program, which provides continuing legal education to civil rights attorneys.
January 28, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Spears & Filipovits partner Jeff Filipovits was a featured speaker last week at the annual Section 1983 civil rights litigation seminar at the State Bar of Georgia. Partner Brian Spears is the co-chair and co-host of the program, which provides continuing legal education to civil rights attorneys.
Spears & Filipovits is serving as additional counsel in this wrong-house SWAT raid case just accepted for review by the U.S. Supreme Court. www.scotusblog.com/2025/01/just...
Justices take up case on right to sue over mistaken SWAT raid - SCOTUSblog
The Supreme Court will weigh in on whether a Georgia family whose home was mistakenly raided by an FBI SWAT team can sue the federal government for the error. Just over six hours after the justices is...
www.scotusblog.com
January 28, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Spears & Filipovits is serving as additional counsel in this wrong-house SWAT raid case just accepted for review by the U.S. Supreme Court. www.scotusblog.com/2025/01/just...
Two Fulton County homeowners, represented by Spears & Filipovits and Atlanta Legal Aid, filed suit this week over a property tax collection system that retroactively removed their homestead exemptions and illegally charged them thousands of dollars. Read more here: civil-rights.law/press-releas...
Press Release: Fulton County homeowners sue over retroactive property tax increases - Spears & Filipovits, LLC
Two Fulton County homeowners are suing to challenge a property tax collection system that retroactively removed their homestead exemptions and illegally charged them thousands of dollars more than the...
civil-rights.law
January 23, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Two Fulton County homeowners, represented by Spears & Filipovits and Atlanta Legal Aid, filed suit this week over a property tax collection system that retroactively removed their homestead exemptions and illegally charged them thousands of dollars. Read more here: civil-rights.law/press-releas...
Attorney Jeff Filipovits speaks on "Closer Look with Rose Scott" on @wabe.org: "Family attorney for 'Stop Cop City' protester says lawsuit confronts unchecked police powers" www.wabe.org/family-attor...
Family attorney for 'Stop Cop City' protester says lawsuit confronts unchecked police powers
This Saturday will mark two years since the death of environmental activist Manuel Esteban Paez Terán. They were fatally shot by Georgia State Troopers during a reported “clearing operation” at the si...
www.wabe.org
January 17, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Attorney Jeff Filipovits speaks on "Closer Look with Rose Scott" on @wabe.org: "Family attorney for 'Stop Cop City' protester says lawsuit confronts unchecked police powers" www.wabe.org/family-attor...
Reposted by Spears & Filipovits, LLC
The parents of slain forest defender Manuel ‘Tortuguita’ Paez Terán filed a civil rights lawsuit Tuesday against three Georgia law enforcement officers they say are most responsible for the death of their child in January 2023.
unicornriot.ninja/2024/parents...
unicornriot.ninja/2024/parents...
Parents of Forest Defender Killed by Police File Civil Rights Lawsuit - UNICORN RIOT
DeKalb County, GA – The parents of slain forest defender Manuel ‘Tortuguita’ Paez Terán filed a civil rights lawsuit Tuesday against three Georgia law enforcement officers they say are most responsibl...
unicornriot.ninja
December 21, 2024 at 9:56 PM
The parents of slain forest defender Manuel ‘Tortuguita’ Paez Terán filed a civil rights lawsuit Tuesday against three Georgia law enforcement officers they say are most responsible for the death of their child in January 2023.
unicornriot.ninja/2024/parents...
unicornriot.ninja/2024/parents...
Capital B Atlanta @capitalbatl.bsky.social : "Family of Slain ‘Stop Cop City’ Activist Sues in Pursuit of Answers" atlanta.capitalbnews.org/cop-city-law...
Family of Slain ‘Stop Cop City’ Activist Sues in Pursuit of Answers - Capital B News - Atlanta
Paez Terán’s parents say they have been denied answers about the circumstances surrounding their child’s death
atlanta.capitalbnews.org
December 20, 2024 at 7:10 PM
Capital B Atlanta @capitalbatl.bsky.social : "Family of Slain ‘Stop Cop City’ Activist Sues in Pursuit of Answers" atlanta.capitalbnews.org/cop-city-law...
Atlanta News First: 'Family of ‘Cop City’ protestor files lawsuit against 3 law enforcement officers' www.atlantanewsfirst.com/video/2024/1...
Family of ‘Cop City’ protestor files lawsuit against 3 law enforcement officers
The suit accuses the defendants of violating the First Amendment to free speech and the Fourth Amendment to protect Americans from unreasonable searches or seizures.
www.atlantanewsfirst.com
December 20, 2024 at 2:30 PM
Atlanta News First: 'Family of ‘Cop City’ protestor files lawsuit against 3 law enforcement officers' www.atlantanewsfirst.com/video/2024/1...
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 'Family files new lawsuit in 2023 death of Atlanta training center protester' www.ajc.com/news/crime/f...
Family files new lawsuit in 2023 death of Atlanta training center protester
The suit filed Tuesday seeks answers from officers involved in planning the `clearing operation’ outside the Atlanta public safety training center.
www.ajc.com
December 19, 2024 at 8:48 PM
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 'Family files new lawsuit in 2023 death of Atlanta training center protester' www.ajc.com/news/crime/f...
The Guardian: 'Family of ‘Cop City’ activist shot dead by Georgia police sue officers involved' www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024...
Family of ‘Cop City’ activist shot dead by Georgia police sue officers involved
Complaint alleges fourth amendment rights of Manuel ‘Tortuguita’ Paez Terán were violated during 2023 raid
www.theguardian.com
December 19, 2024 at 2:48 PM
The Guardian: 'Family of ‘Cop City’ activist shot dead by Georgia police sue officers involved' www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024...
Washington Post: 'Family of 'Cop City' activist who was killed by troopers files lawsuit' www.washingtonpost.com/national/202...
Family of 'Cop City' activist who was killed by troopers files lawsuit
The family of an environmental activist shot and killed by state troopers near the site of a planned Atlanta-area police and firefighter training center activists call “Cop City” has filed a lawsuit a...
www.washingtonpost.com
December 18, 2024 at 5:43 PM
Washington Post: 'Family of 'Cop City' activist who was killed by troopers files lawsuit' www.washingtonpost.com/national/202...
Reposted by Spears & Filipovits, LLC
The parents of Manuel "Tortuguita" Paez Teran, an environmental protester killed by police while opposing Atlanta’s Public Safety Training Center, today filed a civil rights lawsuit with representation from Spears & Filipovits and @loevy.com. Read our press release: civil-rights.law/press-releas...
Press Release: Parents of ‘Cop City’ protester killed by police file civil rights lawsuit - Spears & Filipovits, LLC
ATLANTA — The parents of an environmental protester notoriously killed by police while opposing Atlanta’s Public Safety Training Center are suing three officers involved in the raid for civil rights v...
civil-rights.law
December 17, 2024 at 9:37 PM
The parents of Manuel "Tortuguita" Paez Teran, an environmental protester killed by police while opposing Atlanta’s Public Safety Training Center, today filed a civil rights lawsuit with representation from Spears & Filipovits and @loevy.com. Read our press release: civil-rights.law/press-releas...