A trial firm, not a settlement mill
The distinction matters more in this area of law than in most. Abuse claims are brought
against institutions (dioceses, hospital systems, school districts, agencies, employers) and
those institutions are defended by insurers who settle cases on terms that reflect what they
expect to happen if they don’t.
The firm’s sexual abuse and civil litigation work is led by Thomas P. Giuffra,
an Advocate of the American Board of Trial Advocates and a Barrister of the Order of Centurions.
Both are memberships with countable trial requirements, and both are checkable.
Described as professional experience only. Every case is decided on its own facts, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
The psychotherapist is part of the practice
The firm works alongside a psychotherapist so that clients are supported throughout a case
rather than only represented in it. This is the part of how the firm works that we would point
to first, because it is structural rather than a claim about attitude.
The reason is practical. The legal process asks things of a survivor that have nothing to do
with the law: recounting events, producing records, sometimes sitting for a deposition. Having
support built into the case, rather than left to the client to arrange, changes how manageable
that is.
Where we are
551 5th Ave, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10017. The practice takes cases across New York
State, and where the abuse happened matters a great deal, the responsible institution, the
county, and in clergy cases the diocese, all change how a claim proceeds.
How we take cases
On a contingency fee. The fee is a percentage of any recovery and there is no fee if there is
no recovery. The first conversation is free whatever you decide afterwards, and nothing is
filed, disclosed or set in motion without your decision.
Do you only take cases in New York City?
No. The practice covers New York State. Which institution was responsible and which county it sits in affect how a claim proceeds, so it is worth telling us where the abuse happened early in the conversation.
Is this a separate firm from Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman?
No. Survivors Of Abuse NY is the sexual abuse practice of that firm. The attorneys, the office and the professional responsibility are the same.
What if I am not sure I want to bring a case at all?
That is a normal place to start and it is a good reason to have the conversation rather than avoid it. Many people call to find out what would be involved and decide later, or decide not to. Either is fine, and what you tell us stays confidential.