Overview
Pfeiffer Rudolf is a specialized civil litigation firm in Charlotte focusing on wrongful conviction litigation including appeals and post-conviction litigation. As criminal defense lawyers with decades of experience, we have seen first-hand how and why wrongful convictions happen, and over the past 20 years we have specialized in litigating these cases to secure some measure of justice and reparations for those victimized by the system. The firm strives to provide the highest quality of representation and therefore limits the number of cases it handles.
Rankings
Regional
Charlotte
Rankings
Regional
Charlotte
Practice Areas
- 42 U.S.C. Section 1983Pfeiffer Rudolf provides focused legal counsel throughout the United States for those who have been wrongfully prosecuted or convicted. Our firm has years of proven experience helping our clients right the wrongs they have suffered at the hands of the criminal justice system.
- AppealsWhen a criminal defendant has been convicted and sentenced, he or she is entitled to a direct appeal challenging the legal errors committed during the trial. This requires a thorough knowledge of the rules of evidence, the rules of criminal procedure, and the elements of the crime. We have taught trial advocacy, evidence and criminal law to law students, young lawyers, and experienced advocates seeking to enhance their skills. And we use our knowledge to enhance our clients’ chances on appeal.
- Post-Conviction RemediesWhen a person is convicted of a crime and their appeal is denied, the next step is to file a petition for post-conviction relief. But the lawyer must be aware of all the procedural roadblocks that exist and know how to effectively navigate around these roadblocks to present the grounds for vacating the conviction to the reviewing judge. The lawyers in our office have done this successfully for decades.
Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®
Awards
Offices & Contacts
Significant Matters
Ronnie Long vs. City of Concord, SBI et al (Western District of NC):
$25 Million settlement in case involving police misconduct, suppressed evidence. Mr. Long received a public apology by the City of Concord in connection with his settlement. This is second largest settlement for a single individual in U.S history.
Tim Bridges v. City of Charlotte (Western District of NC):
$9.5 million settlement of wrongful conviction suit involving fabricated forensic evidence and failure to conduct adequate investigation.
Charles Ray Finch v. SBI (Eastern District of NC):
$9.5 million settlement in case in which innocent man was framed for murder through use of a suggestive lineup.
LaMonte Armstrong v. City of Greensboro (Middle District of NC):
$6.4 million settlement of wrongful conviction suit involving fabricated witness testimony and suppressed exculpatory evidence.
Wilcoxson v. Buncombe County (Western District of NC):
$5.125 million settlement of wrongful conviction based upon a guilty plea, to avoid a possible death penalty, resulting from multiple coerced false statements by codefendants.
Floyd Brown v. Isley, et al. (Eastern District of NC):
$9.325 settlement for claims involving wrongful imprisonment of mentally handicapped individual for false confession.
Alan Gell v. Ransome, et al. (Eastern District of NC):
Suit against SBI agents following 9-year wrongful incarceration arising from concealment of exculpatory evidence establishing that murder occurred while Gell was in local jail; $3.9 million settlement.