Jeff Anderson & Associates: Attorneys
Jeff Anderson
Trial Attorney
Jeff Anderson is widely recognized as a pioneer in sexual abuse litigation and a champion of survivors of childhood sexual abuse. In nearly four decades as a litigator, Jeff has represented thousands of survivors and their families and has tried over two hundred and fifty jury trials to verdict across the country through the crucible of the courtroom. Known for his optimism, energy and compassion for his clients, Jeff is credited with being instrumental in exposing the large scale cover-up of pedophile priests in the early 1980’s. As one of the first trial lawyers in America to publicly and aggressively initiate lawsuits against sexual predators—and focusing on bringing heat and light on the offenders and the institutions that conceal and protect them.
Jeff has received many awards and recognitions but his greatest honor is the trust reposed in him by survivors and their families. From them he draws strength, courage and inspiration in the shared journey of hope and healing.
Anderson’s tireless efforts extend beyond the courtroom where he is a frequent lecturer, survivor advocate and author who advocates for legislative and judicial protection of children and the prevention of childhood sexual abuse.
Jeff Anderson Bar Admissions:
- Minnesota, 1975
- Wisconsin, 1984
- Illinois, 2004
- Colorado, 2006
- New York, 2010
- Pennsylvania, 2011
- New Jersey, 2019
- U.S. District Court District of Minnesota
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin, 1984
- U.S. District Court Western District of Wisconsin, 1984
- U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court, Western District of New York, 2019
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York, 2020
Mike Finnegan
Attorney
Mike Finnegan has worked for over a decade with hundreds of courageous survivors of childhood sexual abuse to support them in their effort to reclaim power stolen from them as children. Using the civil courts to aid victims seeking accountability and healing, Mike has handled thousands of cases against individual perpetrators and institutions that protected them.
Mike’s work has resulted in the release of thousands of previously secret documents about childhood sexual abuse in organizations and resulted in numerous significant recoveries for his clients. Most recently, Mike has played a pivotal role in forcing the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to release over 50,000 documents pertaining to priests accused of sexual abuse. A creative thinker and keen legal strategist, Mike was an attorney of record in a federal lawsuit naming the Vatican that resulted in the Vatican being ordered to produce documents in a child sex abuse case for the first time.
Mike grew up in West St. Paul, Minnesota and began his legal career at Jeff Anderson & Associates in 2002 as a law clerk and in 2004 as an Attorney. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Yale University in 1999 and his Juris Doctorate from William Mitchell College of Law in 2004.
Mike Finnegan Bar Admissions:
- Minnesota, 2004
- Wisconsin, 2009
- California, 2005
- U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 2006
- U.S. District Court Central District of California, 2010
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
- New York, 2019
- U.S. District Court, Western District of New York, 2019
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 2020
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York, 2020
Mike Reck
Attorney
As a seasoned trial attorney in some of the most meaningful sexual abuse litigation in the country, Mike vigorously advocates on behalf of survivors of childhood sexual abuse perpetrated by those in a position of power. Mike’s work is a prominent force on behalf of victims’ rights. His practice forces accountability upon the individuals and institutions responsible for harming children.
Mike is instrumental in cases against the Catholic Church, Boy Scouts, camps, private schools and other powerful institutions and individuals. His cases have forced disclosure of the identities of previously secret pedophiles and led to criminal prosecutions. The public release of thousands of previously secret documents about clergy sex abuse was a result of Mike’s tireless work. As a caring advocate, Mike stands with survivors of abuse against powerful and prominent defendants including a great many Archdioceses and Dioceses throughout the country.
Known for his individual attention and positivity, Mike draws strength from the survivors he works with. Numerous national publications and television stations have interviewed him. He works on behalf of victims’ organizations and trains other advocates through the National Crime Victim Bar Association.
Mike has represented hundreds of survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Prominent recent cases include:
- Settlement with the Diocese of Wilmington and several independent religious orders.
- Settlement with the Diocese of Honolulu and several independent religious orders.
- Settlement on behalf of hundreds of survivors with the Irish Christian Brothers who were forced into bankruptcy.
- Cases and/or settlements involving major dioceses and churches including: the Archdiocese of New York; Diocese of Brooklyn; Diocese of Syracuse; Diocese of Newark; Archdiocese of Los Angeles; Diocese of Bridgeport; Archdiocese of Philadelphia; Diocese of Providence and others.
- Cutting-edge litigation seeking to inhibit institutions from keeping the identities and whereabouts of pedophiles secret.
Mike attended the University of California at Irvine where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1997. Michael’s Juris Doctorate was awarded cum laude from Whittier Law School in 2000. During law school he was a member of the law review and his work was published. Michael is a member of the State Bar of California since 2000. He is also a member of the state bars of New York, Pennsylvania and Texas. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.
Mike was raised in southern California and has been a long time resident of New York. As an avid environmentalist, Mike spends much of his free time outside with his family.
Mike Reck Bar Admissions:
- California, 2000
- Texas, 2006
- New York, 2007
- Pennsylvania, 2014
- United States Supreme Court
Elin Lindstrom
Attorney
Elin Lindstrom is honored to have spent her career since becoming an attorney in 2011 working with and advocating for survivors of childhood sexual abuse at Jeff Anderson & Associates. Since joining the firm, Elin has diligently advocated for survivors and worked hard to hold accountable the institutions that allowed the abuse to occur. Elin’s empathy and compassion, combined with her legal and institutional knowledge and expertise, make her an essential part of the firm.
During her first six years with Jeff Anderson & Associates, Elin was an integral member of the trial teams that successfully litigated cases involving religious institutions from Minnesota and Wisconsin. In 2015, Elin was a recipient of the Minnesota Lawyer “Attorney of the Year” award for her work on one of the first cases to go to trial under the Minnesota Child Victims Act. Elin again was part of a team that received this award in 2018 for her work representing survivors in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Chapter 11 bankruptcy case. Elin has also been designated as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in Minnesota from 2017 to 2021.
In addition to her trial experience, Elin has worked on numerous Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases filed by religious institutions, most recently involving Dioceses in New York and Minnesota. Elin has also successfully advocated for the public exposure of thousands of secret documents and other non-monetary changes in religious organizations that have helped advance the child protection movement across the country.
Elin spent most of her childhood in Minnesota before finishing high school at Zurich International School in Switzerland. She obtained her bachelor’s degree at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and is a 2011 graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law in Salt Lake City. Elin is grateful to the survivors with whom she gets to work for having the courage to come forward and make a difference for future generations, including for her three young children.
Elin Lindstrom Bar Admissions:
- Wisconsin, 2011
- Minnesota, 2012
- New York, 2022
- U.S. District Court District of Minnesota, 2014
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin, 2015
- U.S. District Court, Western District of New York, 2019
Trusha Goffe
Attorney
Trusha Goffe is a dedicated attorney and advocate for children and survivors of child sexual abuse. Over the last decade, Trusha has worked on all aspects of litigation in sex abuse cases against religious institutions, public and private schools, and other youth-focused organizations. She is honored to have had the privilege of helping hundreds of survivors reclaim their power and hold institutions accountable. Prior to joining Jeff Anderson & Associates, she worked in the public sector as a judicial law clerk and a prosecutor. She brings valuable litigation skills, experience, and compassion to the firm’s clients.
Trusha graduated from the University of Florida and received her law degree from University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis. She has contributed to the legal community through work as an attorney mentor and adjunct professor. She has been recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers since 2020 and is a member of the New York State Bar Association and the National Crime Victims Bar Association.
Trusha Goffe Bar Admissions:
- New York
- New Jersey
- Minnesota
- Washington, D.C.
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
Josh Peck
Attorney
Josh Peck is a dedicated advocate with a proven commitment to service who joined Jeff Anderson & Associates in 2013. He is honored to work with survivors of childhood sexual abuse in a collaborative effort to prevent further harm to children, and to hold accountable those who perpetuate and allow such abuse to continue.
A native of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, Josh spent four years in the United States Navy before graduating summa cum laude from San Diego State University. After college he returned to his home state to attend Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul. While in law school Josh served as an Associate Editor of Hamline’s Journal of Public Law and Policy, earned honors in Legal Research and Writing, volunteered at the National Child Protection Training Center, and clerked at a law firm advocating for disabled and injured clients. Josh also played on Hamline Law’s hockey team and participated in an annual charity fundraiser game between Hamline and William Mitchell College of Law.
Josh brings passion and experience in child protection to the firm. He believes strongly in what Jeff Anderson & Associates stands for and will work diligently to protect children and assist survivors of abuse in their journey of healing.
Josh Peck Bar Admissions:
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
- Minnesota
Molly Burke
Attorney
Molly joined Jeff Anderson & Associates in October 2014 after serving for three years as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Before becoming a lawyer, Molly’s passion for helping children led her to a 10-year career working with children on the autism spectrum and with other developmental disabilities. Molly worked one-on-one with children and taught and counseled their parents in the United States and internationally. Molly’s enthusiasm about positively impacting the world, her experience helping those facing adversity, and her dedication to improving the lives of others makes her a welcome addition to the Jeff Anderson & Associates team.
Molly graduated summa cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law in 2010. During law school, Molly worked as a summer associate at Halleland, Lewis, Nilan and Johnson and was an Assistant Editor on the Law Review. Before law school, Molly’s interest in advocating for children influenced her undergraduate studies; she majored in Women’s Studies and graduated magna cum laude from the College of St. Catherine.
Molly is certified as a Rule 114 Qualified Neutral, and she enjoys volunteering as a mediator in Hennepin County Harassment Court and with youth in restorative justice community mediations. Molly is a member of Minnesota Women Lawyers and the Minnesota Association for Justice.
Molly Burke Bar Admissions:
- Minnesota
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
Taylor Stippel
Attorney
Taylor Stippel joined Jeff Anderson & Associates as an attorney in 2017 after working at the firm as an intern and law clerk since 2013. She is grateful for the opportunity to work with survivors to make the world safer for children today and in the future.
Taylor has advocated on behalf of hundreds of survivors to hold accountable perpetrators of abuse and the institutions that shelter and enable them. Licensed in Minnesota and New York, her practice currently focuses on litigating against religious institutions in upstate New York, including the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Albany, Syracuse, and Ogdensburg. Taylor is leading Jeff Anderson & Associates’ advocacy on behalf of survivors in the Diocese of Syracuse Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization.
Taylor has been recognized for her work on behalf of survivors, including being designated a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in 2021 in Minnesota. She is a member of the National Crime Victims Bar Association, Minnesota Association for Justice and New York State Bar Association.
Taylor graduated magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School and is a member of the Order of the Coif. Throughout law school, she worked as a student attorney representing clients in family and employment law matters in the Civil Practice Clinic. She was also a managing editor for the Minnesota Law Review and authored a note published in the Minnesota Law Review’s Volume 101. Prior to attending law school, Taylor graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from Michigan Technological University. Taylor spends her free time with her husband in their backyard, ensuring that their mischievous dog doesn’t cause too much of a ruckus.
Taylor Stippel Bar Admissions:
- Minnesota
- New York
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
Stacey Benson
Attorney
Stacey Benson joined the firm in 2011 as a paralegal and worked as the firm’s Communications Director. After graduating cum laude from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Stacey turned her focus to practicing law, but is still involved in the firm’s communications efforts. Stacey has dedicated her entire legal career to advocating for survivors of child sexual abuse.
With an extensive background in the legal and investigative fields and having worked as an investigator and as an assistant to a California county coroner, Stacey adds great value to our firm. She brings compassion and understanding to her work having volunteered at CornerHouse, a child abuse evaluation and training center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She also worked as a volunteer investigator with the internationally recognized Innocence Project.
Stacey was a member of the trial teams that successfully litigated cases against religious institutions in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Stacey was designated a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in Minnesota in 2021.
Currently, Stacey is advocating for hundreds of sexual abuse survivors in New York and is working to achieve a fair and equitable resolution in the Diocese of Buffalo Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization.
Stacey holds a Master of Science degree in Forensic Science from the University of New Haven, Connecticut and completed her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Certificate of Forensic Science at Hamline University in St. Paul. Stacey resides in St. Paul with her partner and spends her free time traveling the world.
Stacey Benson Bar Admissions:
- Minnesota
- New York
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
- U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
Jennifer Stein
Attorney
Since beginning her work with survivors of sexual abuse in 2008, Jennifer has dedicated the majority of her legal practice to the child protection movement with an exclusive focus on personal injury matters involving childhood sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and civil rights violations. She has represented hundreds of survivors in cases against a variety of defendants, including individual perpetrators and the entities that employed them (public schools, private schools, youth sports organizations, religious institutions, and residential care facilities). Jennifer has been heavily involved in some of the most significant sexual abuse cases across the country and is passionate about making a tangible difference in the lives of those she represents and, by extension, children everywhere.
Jennifer is a certified Dispute Resolutions Program Act (DRPA) Mediator and has served as a mediator for the Riverside County Superior Court and in private practice. Jennifer has also authored articles on legal issues in various publications throughout California.
Education:
University of San Diego, B.B.A., Cum Laude (2010)
Chapman University, Dale E. Fowler School of Law, J.D., Cum Laude (2014)
Jennifer Stein Bar Admissions:
- State Bar of California
- United States District Court, for the Central, Eastern, Northern, and Southern Districts of California
Clayton Hinrichs
Attorney
In 2018, Clayton began clerking at Jeff Anderson and Associates in March while attending law school. Since then, his passion for helping survivors of childhood sexual abuse has solidified his place at the firm and he is widely recognized as a kind, knowledgeable and respectful ally among his clients and colleagues alike.
Clayton received his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of North Dakota. While there, he developed a desire for a career in which he could help people in need, which led him to pursue a law degree at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. In 2019, he received his J.D., was admitted to the Minnesota Bar, and joined Jeff Anderson & Associates as an attorney.
While a law clerk, Clayton honed his advocacy skills at the Civil Advocacy Clinic, where he represented low-income tenants who were being exploited by unethical landlords. This important work laid the foundation for Clayton to become the dedicated survivor advocate he is today. He is honored to support survivors of childhood sexual abuse on their journeys to healing.
Clayton Hinrichs Bar Admissions:
- Minnesota, 2019
Nahid A. Shaikh
Attorney
Nahid A. Shaikh has dedicated her career to representing injured people against powerful, well-funded, influential opponents. Since joining Jeff Anderson and Associates, she has focused her entire practice on advocating for and empowering survivors of childhood sexual abuse. She has represented hundreds of survivors in cases against a variety of defendants, including individual perpetrators and the entities that employed them.
Prior to joining Jeff Anderson and Associates, Nahid worked at two nationally recognized plaintiffs’ law firms where she represented clients in various legal areas through every stage of litigation.
Nahid graduated from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law magna cum laude and in the top five percent of her class. While at Cardozo, Nahid was a member of the Cardozo Law Review and served as a full-time judicial intern for the Honorable Patty Shwartz on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Nahid has been named a New York Metro Rising Star by SuperLawyers for the last five years.
Nahid Shaikh Bar Admissions:
- New York
- New Jersey
- Southern District of New York
- Eastern District of New York
Pat Stoneking
Attorney
Pat Stoneking is a trial attorney who has always fought for people against powerful interests. Pat has significant courtroom experience and has tried cases to verdicts in multiple states and represented injured people in some of the most complicated injury suits in some of the most difficult venues. In addition to his trial work, Pat has substantial appellate experience, including wins on important injury matters that have changed the law for the better. An opposing attorney accurately described Pat as a “true believer,” and in addition to the work he does for his own clients, Pat has successfully advocated on behalf of all injured people through his work with the Minnesota Association for Justice Amicus Committee, which he currently co-chairs. Since 2016, Pat has also served on the board of directors for Children’s Heartlink, a non-profit dedicated to the treatment of children born with congenital heart disease around the world.
Pat is an honors graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School. He is a member of the Board of Governors at the Minnesota Association for Justice, a Certified Specialist in Civil Trial Law by the Minnesota Bar Association, and was named a SuperLawyer in 2021 and 2022.
Pat Stoneking Admissions:
- Minnesota
- New York
- North Dakota
- Wisconsin
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
Jack Boyd
Attorney
Jack graduated from Harvard College in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Government. After college, he attended law school at Georgetown University Law Center. While in law school, he worked in an organization called Rising for Justice where he primarily represented tenants who were facing eviction in the District of Columbia. Jack also did work on behalf of Plaintiffs for several firms dealing with a wide range of legal issues including international narcoterrorism and civil rights cases against law enforcement.
Bar Admissions
- New Jersey
- U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
CaVoné Moore
Attorney
CaVoné Moore joined Jeff Anderson & Associates as a law clerk before her admission to the California Bar. CaVoné is dedicated to working tooth and nail in fighting injustice and giving hope to the hopeless.
While in law school, CaVoné affirmed her passion for advocating for survivors of abuse. She worked for the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles as an immigration law clerk. She had the opportunity to successfully represent and gain Asylum for survivors of persecution from their home countries. Additionally, CaVoné worked in the Victim Impact Unit for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. There, she fought for crime victims by advocating for survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, and elder abuse. She also worked on criminal reform cases providing alternative rehabilitative programs to the veteran and mentally ill communities.
CaVoné is honored to advocate for survivors and looks forward to dedicating the entirety of her legal career empowering survivors.
Education
- Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law, Malibu, 2020, J.D.
- University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, B.S.
Bar Admissions
- California