Police Misconduct & Civil Rights Litigation
Ilyssa takes an aggressive, hands-on approach to representing individuals whose constitutional rights have been violated by police officers and other law enforcement personnel. She fights to hold law enforcement accountable for misconduct, including false arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, wrongful conviction lawsuits, excessive force, officer-involved shootings, unlawful searches, wrongful death, and other constitutional violations.
With extensive experience litigating claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and related state law claims in both state and federal courts, Ilyssa handles every stage of litigation, from investigating and developing claims to conducting discovery and depositions, motion practice, and trying cases to verdict.
Corrections Misconduct & Prisoners’ Rights
Ilyssa aggressively advocates for individuals who have suffered abuse, injury, or violations of their constitutional rights while incarcerated in jails, prisons, and other correctional facilities. She represents incarcerated individuals and their families in cases involving excessive force by correctional officers, assaults by other incarcerated individuals, failure to protect individuals in custody, and other misconduct within correctional facilities.
Ilyssa approaches these cases with thorough investigation and determined advocacy, working to expose misconduct, challenge institutional failures, and hold responsible parties accountable for violations of the rights of individuals in their custody.
Criminal Defense
Ilyssa is a tenacious criminal defense attorney who takes an aggressive, hands-on approach to defending individuals charged with criminal offenses in New York State courts. She vigorously advocates for her clients, challenges the prosecution's evidence, exposes weaknesses in the government's case, and fights to protect her clients' constitutional rights at every stage of the criminal process.
An active member of the Manhattan 18-B Assigned Counsel Panel, Ilyssa accepts court-appointed cases while also representing individuals who retain Cohen & Fitch for criminal defense services. Whether appointed or retained, she approaches each case with determination, thorough preparation, and an unwavering commitment to protecting her clients' interests. She is prepared to challenge the prosecution and take a case to trial when necessary.
Crime Victim Representation & Son of Sam Law
Ilyssa represents crime victims seeking to recover funds restrained by the New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS). When OVS notifies crime victims that an individual convicted of a crime is expected to receive funds and successfully restrains those funds, Ilyssa assists victims in pursuing recovery of the money under New York's Son of Sam Law. Depending on the circumstances, this may include pursuing civil litigation to obtain the restrained funds.
Selected Amicus Briefs & Legal Writing
Manhattan Community Access Corp. v. Halleck — U.S. Supreme Court
Ilyssa S. Fuchs co-authored, with Elliot Dolby Shields and Robert Rickner, the New York County Lawyers Association’s amicus brief in support of the respondents in Manhattan Community Access Corp. v. Halleck, No. 17-1702. The brief addressed the First Amendment and the history of New York City’s public-access television channels as designated public forums.
Read the NYCLA amicus brief.
For inquiries about potential representation or the firm's legal services, please contact Cohen & Fitch LLP at Ilyssa's firm profile.