Sexual Abuse

Representing and Fighting for Victims and Survivors of Sexual Abuse -- Recognized for Innovative Strategies

A victim of sexual abuse at the hand of a trusted professional often feels as if he or she has nowhere to turn. Guilt, shame and helplessness often accompany years of denial. The attorneys at Jeff Anderson & Associates are committed to representing victims of sexual abuse by authority figures including clergy, counselors and others in a position of power. Jeff Anderson & Associates is also a leader in lobbying efforts to have laws changed in favor of sexual abuse victims and advocacy for change in protecting children and vulnerable adults. Jeff Anderson & Associates handles cases of sexual abuse and exploitation by authority figures, clergy, health care professionals and family members. We utilize traditional legal strategies in seeking justice and compensation but also are a leader nationwide in using innovative legal strategies to overcome legal barriers to justice.

Jeff Anderson & Associates has represented over 3000 victim/survivors of sexual abuse and has successfully settled thousands of the cases where monetary damages are paid and non-monetary changes are implemented to prevent further victimization. Jeff Anderson & Associates will settle and does settle cases but does not, as a matter of public policy and prevention, engage in confidential settlements. Only the identity of the clients and sometimes amounts paid remain confidential.

Jeffrey Anderson and Patrick Noaker are recognized nationally for success in the courtroom and as trial lawyers. Jeff Andreson and Patrick Noaker are also recognized nationally for their advocacy on behalf of victims of sexual abuse. The attorneys and staff share their commitment to victims' advocacy, excellence, hope, healing and recovery. A few of their significant cases are listed on Our Successes.

Please Contact Us if you want more information about Jeff Anderson & Associates' representation of sexual abuse victim.

Verdicts and Settlements:

Our successes are really the success of the clients in finding his or her voice, making the call to us and together beginning the journey of hope, recovery of power, protection of others and vindication by settlement or verdict.

Jury awards do not necessarily reflect actual compensation to clients. In some cases the actual recovery was adjusted after verdict.

• Joaquin Aguilar Mendez v. Cardinal Norberto Rivera, Diocese of Techuacan, Cardinal Roger Mahony, Archdiocese of L.A., Court File No. BC358718 (Los Angeles Superior Court) and Juan Doe 100 v. Cardinal Norberto Rivera, Diocese of Techuacan, Cardinal Roger Mahony, Archdiocese of L.A., Court File No. BC361997 (Los Angeles Superior Court). Suits against both prominent Cardinals for pattern of concealment of crimes by fugitive and pattern offender Fr. Nicholas Aguilar. Case against Archdiocese of Los Angeles settled; against Cardinal Rivera dismissed by trial court for lack of jurisdiction. Appeal pending.
  
• Archambault v. Archdiocese of San Francisco, Court File No. CGC-03-400003 (Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco). $1.55 million verdict regarding coverup by officials and abuse by pattern offender Fr. Joseph Pritchard.
  
• Kavanaugh v. Archdiocese of San Francisco, Court File No. CGC-03-400003 (Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco). First jury verdict proving knowledge by corporate officials. $37,000 compensatory damages.
  
• Clergy III, Coordinated Proceeding No. 4359 (Superior Court of California, Alameda County). Northern California consolidated case against Archdiocese of San Francisco, Oakland, Santa Rosa, Sacramento, Salesians of Don Bosco, Christian Brothers of De La Salle, Franciscans, et al. Co-counsel with Larry Drivon, Stockton, CA, and Rick Simons, Hayward, CA, which resulted in settlement for 155 survivors of abuse by clergy. Over $165 million paid by Diocese and religious orders for their role in permitting it to occur.
  
• The Clergy Cases II, Coordinated Proceeding No. JCCP 4297 (Superior Court of Los Angeles). Southern California consolidated cases against Archdiocese of San Francisco and San Bernardino. Co-Counsel with Ray Boucher (Kiesel, Boucher & Larson), Beverly Hills, CA and Larry Drivon (Drivon Law Firm), Stockton, CA, representing 39 survivors in trial court and through bankruptcy filing by Diocese of San Diego. Settlement of all 39 survivors, average settlement $1.3 million (2007).
  
• Clergy I, Coordinated Proceeding No. JCCP 4297 (Superior Court of Los Angeles). Southern California consolidated cases against Archdiocese of Los Angeles, et al. Co-Counsel with Ray Boucher (Kiesel, Boucher & Larson) and Larry Drivon (Drivon, Turner & Waters). Settlement in 2007 on behalf of 50 survivors. Settlement reached in 2007 250 survivors for over $275 million, average settlement per survivor $1.25 million in compensatory and punitive damages for coverup and concealment by bishops and corporate clerical officials.
  
• Does v. Archdiocese of Chicago, 2003 settlement for $8 million representing 15 survivors, including non-economic terms. (See Chicago Tribune article dated October 3, 2003.)
  
• DeLonga v. Diocese of Sioux Falls and Archdiocese of Milwaukee, settlement $280,000 in 2006. Jane Doe (5) v. Diocese of Sioux Falls, regarding pattern above by Fr. Bruce MacArthur and pattern coverup by Bishops spanning three decades (2007). See deposition of Bruce MacArthur on website for shocking details.
  
• Does v. Christian Brothers, original action brough in Contra Costa Superior Court, consolidated in Coordinated Proceeding No. 4359 (Superior Court of California, Alameda County). Three survivors abused at De La Salle High School in Concord, California. Settlement in 2005 for $6.2 million.
  
• Brandon Rains v. Order of Preachers, et al., Court File No.: 05-0008968 (Superior Court of the District of Columbia). Settlement $1.25 million. 20 year coverup of abuse by Fr. AJ Cote worldwide. See National Public Radio All Things Considered, by Barbara Bradley Haggerty
  
• S.P. v. Richard F. Mitchell, Westwood Lutheran Church and Evangelical Covenant Church of America, Court File No. 88-14213 (State of Minnesota, Hennepin County District Court), first "clergy malpractice" jury award in America.
  
• K.E. v. Robert Hoffman and Robbinsdale School District No. 281, Appellate Decision at 452 N.W. ed 509 (Minn. Ct. App. 1990), upheld constitutionality of delayed discovery of injury statue of limitations in sexual abuse of teenager by minister.
  
• A.J. v. Redeemer Covenant Church and Rev. Albert Magnuson, et al., Court File No. PI 91-23829 (State of Minnesota, Hennepin County District Court), $900,000 compensatory, $200,000 punitive damage award, sexual abuse of teenager by minister.
  
• Oelschlager v. Magnuson, et al., Court File No. 92-03468 (State of Minnesota, Hennepin County District Court), Appellate decision at 528 N.W. 2d 895 (Minn Ct. App. 1995), $620,000 verdict, sexual molestation by minister of Evangelical Covenant Church
  
• Samarzia v. Missouri Synod Redeemer Lutheran Church, Court File No. C8-91-602147 (State of Minnesota, St. Louis County District Court). Appellate decisions at 531 N.W.2d 897 (Minn. Ct. App. 1995) and 555 N.W.2d 325 (Minn. Ct. App. 1996)$644,000 verdict, sexual abuse by minister in Missouri Synod Church.
  
• Quenroe, et al. v. The Order of St. Benedict of the Roman Catholic Church a/k/a St. John's Abbey, et al., Court File No. C0-02-002764 (State of Minnesota, Stearns County District Court), far reaching and unprecedented settlement of over 12 claims resulting in external review and oversight by laity and professionals. A model in prevention for every order and diocese in the U.S.
  
• Cowles v. Cowles, Court File No.: 02-11146 (State of Minnesota, Hennepin County District Court), 1.5 million dollar arbitration award by Gretchen Cowles, daughter, for incest/abuse by biological father, Russell Cowles.
  
• Thatcher v. Diocese of Oakland, 2005 jury verdict. Co-counsel with lead attorney Rick Simons and Larry Drivon. $900,000 in compensatory damages and $900,000 in punitive damages. Two plaintiffs abused by Fr. Robert Poncerolli, Diocese coverup
  
• Does 4A and 4B, also known publicly as James and Joh Howard v. Catholic Bishop, Diocese of Stockton, 1998 jury verdict of $30 million on behalf of two brothers molested by Father Oliver O' Grady and concealed by bishops of the Diocese of Stockton.
  
• Mrozka v. Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and Diocese of Winona, 1989 verdict of $3.5 million on behalf of teenager abused by Fr. Thomas Adamson; concealment spanning twenty years by officials of Winona Diocese and Minneapolis-St. Paul Archdiocese.
  
• Scheffler v. Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis, 1996 verdict of $1.1 million on behalf of twelve year old youth abused by Fr. Robert Kapoun after repeated reports to Archdiocesan personnel. 
  
• Wiser v. Gary Downing, personally and as President of International Traveling League, and the University of Minnesota, $10 million punitive damages assessed against perpetrator Gary Downing, 1996.
  

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