Child Sexual Abuse
Child sexual abuse is illegal, even when it involves a priest, pastor, parent, uncle, sibling, or other person you know. If you were abused by someone you trusted, we can help you to hold your abuser accountable.
The emotional scars left by this abuse never heal, but it may not be too late to take back the power that was taken from you. We can help.
We have successfully represented dozens of victims of clergy sexual abuse, intra-familial sexual abuse, and abuse by adults in positions of trust such as probation officers and counselors. Some of our work in this area has been described by the media – see the links below:
- Ex-UP Student in Alleged Rape Sues University. . .
- Judge Approves First Step of Archdiocese Reorganization (Challenge to Gag Order)
- Judge Orders Release of Archdiocese’s Bankruptcy Documents
We have also handled cases on appeal that concern child sexual abuse. An example of those cases can be found here: If you were abused as a child and want legal representation, call us for a free consultation.
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Sexual Assault and Exploitation
We also represent adults who have been sexually assaulted or sexually exploited by strangers, acquaintances, or trusted professionals such as therapists and attorneys. We hold both the offenders and responsible third parties accountable for the assault or exploitation whenever possible and legally appropriate. Some of the work we have done in this area is described in this news article and brief:
With our assistance, some of our clients have sought and obtained changes to the law to help prevent others from going through what they experienced. An example of legislation passed due to the efforts of our clients, with our assistance, can be found here:
[To the top]Financial Exploitation of the Elderly and the Vulnerable
Family members, acquaintances, and caregivers who take advantage of the elderly and the vulnerable for their own financial gain are reprehensible. We are passionate about helping elderly and vulnerable victims of financial exploitation recover their money and their dignity.
Some of the work we have done has been covered by the media, and it can be seen here:
Our cases have been cited by legislators seeking to change laws to help protect people from financial scams, such as HB 3630 (2008), which targeted foreclosure rescue scams perpetrated against homeowners facing foreclosure:
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Wrongful Death Arising from Abuse or Neglect
Unfortunately, sometimes abuse or neglect leads to death. We have successfully litigated cases in which sexual abuse or failure to provide adequate mental health care has resulted in death. These are challenging, heart-wrenching cases, but sometimes the only justice to be had is civil justice.
[To the top]Civil Rights Violations Involving Sexual Abuse, Assault, and Neglect
When the government or a government employee violates the civil rights of a person through abuse, neglect, or deliberate indifference to abuse or neglect, we can help. We have successfully represented several people whose civil rights have been violated through sexual assault, sexual abuse, and through the deliberate indifference to psychiatric needs of those who are entrusted to their care.
[To the top]Representation of Crime Victims in Criminal Cases
In Oregon, crime victims have constitutional and statutory rights to meaningfully participate in the criminal prosecution of their offenders. Sometimes the prosecutor cannot effectively protect and enforce your rights. Other times, you may feel the prosecutor is ignoring your rights as a crime victim.
If you do not feel your interests are being adequately represented as a victim in a criminal case, we can help.
We have been advocating for crime victims in criminal cases for many years, and some of our work can be seen here:
Probate Litigation
Our clients have included people seeking to protect vulnerable family members from abusers and exploiters through conservatorships or guardianships,
some of which are contested by the abusers and exploiters themselves!
We also represent conservators, guardians, and personal representatives seeking civil justice for the abuse and exploitation of their vulnerable adult and child clients.
Defense of SLAPP Suits
Sometimes an abuser tries to intimidate his victim into silence by filing a civil lawsuit against him or her. We have successfully used Oregon's anti-SLAPP laws to obtain early dismissal of these lawsuits. ("SLAPP" stands for "Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, and Oregon's anti-SLAPP laws are found in ORS 31.150 et seq.). In one case, we obtained not only an award of attorney fees to our client, but also an enhanced prevailing party fee due to the abuser's egregious misuse of the civil justice system.
[To the top]Public Records Litigation
We have successfully litigated public records disputes on behalf of clients whose efforts to obtain documents from public agencies were obstructed by public officials
[To the top]This information is used for general purposes only and should not be considered legal advice or legal opinion on any facts or circumstances
