There are many key skills attorneys must have when dealing with the trauma of sexual abuse survivors. For their clients, these skills make all the difference. Tune in to learn the skills and approaches top sex abuse law firms use to achieve resolutions for survivors.

In this week’s Hot Docket, we’re joined by the incredible Guy D'Andrea, Partner at Laffey, Bucci, D'Andrea, Reich & Ryan. Guy is a fearless advocate and compassionate champion for survivors of abuse, assault, and neglect, fiercely dedicated to pursuing justice and empowering survivors in their journey towards healing.

Today, you’ll learn how crucial it is to be trauma-informed as a sex abuse lawyer, how sex abuse cases are litigated differently than others, and the impact you can make on survivors’ lives in this area of practice.

There are countless major takeaways from this episode, highlighting the true and necessary impact sex abuse law firms have on victims and communities across the nation. Tune in to learn more!

In this episode of Hot Docket, Bobby, Andrew, and Guy discuss:

• The key difference between civil and criminal sex abuse claims
• The most important priorities you should have as a sex abuse attorney/law firm
• What does your firm do better than anyone else and what’s driving that success?
• Is it necessary to be trauma-trained as a sex abuse lawyer? (spoiler: YES)
• Insights from Laffey Bucci’s work on the Sandusky and Massage Envy cases
• How sex abuse cases are litigated differently than personal injury and mass tort cases
• How to win more client referrals and attorney referrals
• Structuring a sex abuse law firm to achieve the best results for clients across case types
• Case Stories: Incredible resolutions Guy and his firm have achieved for his clients

Key Actionable Takeaways for Lawyers & Law Firm Owners: 

• Make sure that your clients know that a lawsuit can give them back the control and power that was taken away from them as a result of the abuse that happened to them.
• Victims feeling heard is monumental. After getting to a resolution in a sex abuse claim, sit down with the victim and financial planners to discuss all their options for financial compensation. Make sure they know their options and they are choosing what’s best for them, of course, with advice from professionals.
• Having a trauma-informed, trauma-trained prosecutor by your client’s side takes (at least part of) the stress and fear out of the situation.
• Make sure the survivor feels comfortable with you and honor their preferences and choices.. Ask them if they have a preference regarding speaking to a male or female attorney. Ask them what their triggers are and document them.
• Try your hardest to make a safe environment where your client doesn’t have to tell their story time and time again. You need all the details, but limit how many times you ask about it to prevent re-traumatization.
• Connecting and working with non-profit organizations that work with survivors can give you more cases and allow you to help people and make change on a larger scale.

Important Links and Resources:

• Website: https://laffeybucci.com
• LinkedIn: /in/guy-d-andrea-986a991
• Email Guy: [email protected]
• National Crime Victims Bar Association

If you have guest ideas or questions you would like our hosts to cover, please email [email protected].

Tune in to hear from more the Hot Docket podcast hosted by Bobby Steinbach and Andrew Nasrinpay on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Radio Public and more!