Mariann Meier Wang

Representative Cases

Barco Mercado v. United States

Along with co-counsel the ACLU, NYCLU and Make the Road New York, successfully obtained a preliminary injunction on behalf of immigrants detained by ICE at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, requiring the government to remedy inhumane and unconstitutional conditions of confinement and to provide the detained individuals access to counsel.

Jane Doe v. City of New York

Alongside Housing Works, Inc. and Brooklyn Legal Services, representing transgender client who was repeatedly sexually assaulted and abused in NYC’s shelter system and forced to share rooms with men.

City of Poughkeepsie v. County of Dutchess

Representing the City of Poughkeepsie and two residents for the racially segregative impact of unilaterally placing a shelter inside City limits in a manner that deliberately ignores the history and burdens imposed on the City by the County’s discriminatory policies and practices.

In re Andrew Cuomo

Represented three women whose sexual harassment complaints against then-Governor Andrew Cuomo were substantiated by multiple government investigations and ultimately contributed to his resignation. Brittany Commisso’s lawsuit against New York State was resolved in 2025.

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

Have represented FHJC and multiple plaintiffs in dozens of 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. Routinely pursue cutting-edge cases based on new laws and theories, from cases against banks to cases based on NYC’s Fair Chance Act.

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 $200 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.

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.