Part 2 of our Series on Litigating Child Sex Abuse Civil Cases.
Co-Sponsored by Corsiglia McMahon & Allard, LLP. This course was originally held on July 24, 2020.
The increase in opportunities for child sex abuse (“CSA”) victims to sue their perpetrators and institutions due to statute of limitations reform across the United States means there are more cases and more opportunities for lawyers. This is an arena that requires special attention to the client and that can be both challenging and rewarding. This online CLE series will be informative for those currently in the practice, but it will also help those considering whether to take on such clients to understand the nuts and bolts of CSA cases.
Professor Marci Hamilton, Founder and CEO of CHILD USA. She is the leading expert on clergy sex abuse and child sex abuse statutes of limitation (“SOL”). She has been invited to testify and advise legislators in every state where significant SOL reform has occurred, and she has filed countless pro bono amicus briefs for the protection of children at the United States Supreme Court and the state supreme courts. She is also the author of Justice Denied: What America Must Do to Protect Its Children, which advocates for the elimination of child sex abuse statutes of limitations.
Robert Allard, Esq.. Robert is a trailblazing attorney who works to protect children by holding accountable institutions that protect sexual predators. He is also an attorney advocate for families whose loved ones have been killed due to negligence. In both cases, helping his clients heal and protecting their financial futures is Mr. Allard’s top priority. He’s considered one of the nation’s top attorneys in “institutional” sexual abuse that occurs in schools, daycare centers, camps and youth sports leagues – all places where groups of children gather on a regular basis. For his work representing sex abuse victims, he was named California Attorney of the Year in the field of Public Justice. He has also been named the Santa Clara County Trial Attorney of the Year an unprecedented four times.
Stephen Estey, Esq. Steve is a founding partner of Estey & Bomberger, LLP where he specializes in cases other attorneys see as “unwinnable.” Steve is a compassionate person who understands the trauma his clients have suffered and works tirelessly to provide them the justice they deserve. He co-founded Estey & Bomberger with partner and law school friend Mike Bomberger, and they have collaboratively grown the San Diego personal injury firm from its 1994 inception into one of the most formidable trial firms in California.
Lauren Cerri, Esq. Lauren is an attorney committed to achieving justice for sexual abuse victims and holding accountable those individuals and institutions responsible for allowing the abuse to occur. Ms. Cerri has represented numerous victims in high-profile sexual abuse cases, including one that gained worldwide attention: the Audrie Pott case. Audrie was a high school student who was sexually assaulted in 2012 by three male classmates and later bullied and shamed. She took her own life eight days later. Audrie’s case changed California law by increasing penalties for teens convicted of sexual acts against individuals who are incapable of giving their consent.
"We’re not just getting money for the victims, we’re changing laws, we’re changing policies and procedures, and training schools, churches and other institutions to prevent abuse," Ms. Cerri said. "The reason we pursue these cases is to try to eradicate the problem."