Your right to choose who you associate with is a core part of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
When a government employer punishes you for your relationships, beliefs, or group memberships, your First Amendment right to freedom of association protects you.
Murray Law LLC represents public employees who have faced retaliation or discipline because of their associations.
We represent clients in Denver, across Colorado, and in other states where we are properly admitted to practice through association with local counsel.
Understanding the First Amendment Right of Association
The First Amendment protects your freedom to join with others to pursue political, social, expressive, and workplace goals. This constitutional right includes joining organizations advocating for your values, beliefs, positions on public issues, or political choices.
Constitutional protection extends to joining advocacy and public interest groups, supporting political candidates and causes, and engaging in union or community activity.
Constitutional protection applies when the association with individuals or groups relating to matters relates to matters of public concern.
Public employers cannot punish employee associations with organizations, campaigns, causes, or people the employer does not like.
Individuals also have the right to keep their associations private.
When Public Employers Cross the Line
Government employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees for their protected associations.
Retaliation includes disciplining, suspending, demoting, terminating, refusing to hire, or denying promotions because of an employee’s protected associations.
How Public Employees Enforce Their Rights
State and local government employees can bring First Amendment claims under Section 1983, a federal civil rights statute allowing individuals to sue public employers, supervisors, and officials who violate their constitutional rights.
Section 1983 claims can be filed directly in federal or state court without first filing with the EEOC, the Colorado Civil Rights Division, or any government agency.
Remedies may include back pay, reinstatement to a position, front pay, compensatory damages, attorney fees, and litigation costs.
When a local or state government employee files a lawsuit against an individual official in the official’s individual capacity, the employee can seek punitive damages.
Why Freedom of Association Matters
Freedom of association is an essential part of democratic life. This right allows individuals to form beliefs, build communities, support causes, and stand with others who share their convictions.
When a government employer punishes an employee for their associations, it undermines these freedoms and weakens constitutional protections for everyone.
Constitutional rights have meaning only when enforced.
Holding government employers accountable is an important way to ensure the First Amendment remains an accessible, important constitutional right.
How Murray Law LLC Helps
Murray Law LLC represents public employees throughout Denver and the state of Colorado in First Amendment and civil rights cases involving retaliation or punishment for protected relationships and associations.
Steven Murray has successfully represented public employees in First Amendment association cases, and he has written and published material on this constitutional protection in public employment.
If your employer has disciplined you for your political beliefs, advocacy work, group membership, or personal relationships, you may have a strong claim under federal law.
Please call us: 720-928-3416.
Steven Murray and Murray Law want to listen to you, hear you, and help you.
