History

• Funding for plaintiffs increased with passage of The Civil Rights Act of 1964, which protects the civil liberties of individuals in the workplace and on public accommodations. Titles I to IX of this Act protect voting rights, prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age, sex, religion or nationality and "provide injunctive relief" for violations.
  
  

Significance

• Today, civil rights litigants have a greater chance of receiving funding as a result of legislation which allows for plaintiffs from any state to have their cases heard in a federal court. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission refers these cases to the U.S. Attorney General for further consideration.
  
  

Benefits

• Inspired by civil rights legislation, advocacy agencies such as the NAACP's Legal Defense Fund, the NRA Defense Fund and the Southern Poverty Law Center fund lawsuits based upon their social import. Sponsored civil rights lawsuits promote stability for attorneys and plaintiffs and increase the likelihood of a fair judgment.