Herman Law

Portsmouth Abbey School, a Catholic boarding and day school in Rhode Island, has faced sexual abuse allegations twice in recent decades, once involving two monks accused of abusing students between 1959 and the early 1980s, and separately, a former teacher accused of a relationship with a student that began in her sophomore year.

Rhode Island's revival window law is open now, giving survivors until June 30, 2028 to pursue civil claims that may have previously expired due to the statute of limitations.

If you or someone you love attended Moses Brown School and experienced abuse, you may have legal options. It does not matter how old you are now or how long ago the abuse occurred.

Learn more: https://hermanlaw.com/portsmouth-abbey-school-sexual-abuse-allegations-against-monks-and-former-teacher/

Disclaimer: This post is for informational and awareness purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Herman Law does not represent any victims of alleged sexual abuse or assault referenced in this post.

A yearlong independent investigation at Moses Brown School, a Providence, Rhode Island institution, found a pattern of alleged sexual misconduct by school employees spanning five decades. The investigation, launched after one alumnus came forward in 2019, corroborated allegations against five former employees.

Rhode Island's new revival window law gives survivors of childhood sexual abuse until June 30, 2028 to file civil claims that may have previously been barred by the statute of limitations, including claims against schools and other institutions.

If you or someone you love attended Moses Brown School and experienced abuse, you may have legal options. It does not matter how old you are now or how long ago the abuse occurred.

Learn more: https://hermanlaw.com/moses-brown-school-rhode-island-sexual-abuse-allegations/

Disclaimer: This post is for informational and awareness purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Herman Law does not represent any victims of alleged sexual abuse or assault referenced in this post.

Meet Amy Frerich — Trial Attorney, San Diego Office

Amy has spent 15 years in the courtroom building a simple promise to her clients: she'll do whatever it takes to fight for justice. She's never broken it.

Amy started her career as a prosecutor, gaining extensive trial experience before working as an attorney in criminal defense, family law and insurance defense. That diverse background, seeing litigation from multiple angles, taught her how to anticipate defense strategies and protect her clients' interests.

Recently, Amy was part of the Herman Law team that secured an $8 million jury verdict for a child sexual abuse survivor in a case against LAUSD. Amy is committed to seeking justice for survivors and being their voice through the legal process. She understands how sensitive, confusing, and emotional these situations are, and she works hard to make sure every client feels supported and empowered every step of the way.

We're proud to have Amy's exceptional trial skills and passion for justice on our team.

Nearly sixty years after she was sexually abused as a 13-year-old student, a survivor has reached a settlement with New Haven Unified School District, and for the first time, she's sharing her story in her own words.

"I feel great. I feel vindicated," she said. "I sometimes look upon it as a miracle that justice was served."

Her case is a reminder that survivors of institutional sexual abuse may still be able to pursue justice, even decades after the abuse occurred.

Read her full story: https://hermanlaw.com/survivor-reaches-sexual-abuse-settlement-nearly-60-years-later-new-haven-unified-school-district

If you or someone you love experienced sexual abuse at a school, church, youth organization, or other institution, you may have legal options. Contact Herman Law today for a free, confidential consultation.

A Rhode Island Attorney General's report has named St. Raphael Academy, a Catholic high school in Pawtucket, in connection with decades of alleged child sexual abuse. The report identified 75 clergy and religious order members across the Diocese of Providence, including two individuals with alleged ties to St. Raphael's.

Rhode Island's new revival window law gives survivors of childhood sexual abuse until June 30, 2028 to file civil claims that may have previously been barred by the statute of limitations, including claims against schools, religious orders, and other institutions.

If you or someone you love attended St. Raphael Academy and experienced abuse, you may have legal options. It does not matter how old you are now or how long ago the abuse occurred.

Learn more: https://hermanlaw.com/st-raphael-academy-decades-alleged-sexual-abuse-rhode-island/

Disclaimer: This post is for informational and awareness purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Herman Law does not represent any victims of alleged sexual abuse or assault referenced in this post.

A 2016 independent investigation into St. George's School in Middletown, Rhode Island uncovered a decades-long pattern of alleged sexual abuse by staff and faculty. The school allegedly failed to report accused staff to authorities, with some moving on to other institutions without warning.

St. George's is not an isolated case. Unlike public schools, private institutions are generally not required to license their educators or meet the same public oversight requirements. Across New England, that gap has allowed alleged abuse at elite boarding schools to stay hidden for decades.

Rhode Island recently passed a new law giving survivors a second chance at justice. If your window to file a civil claim had previously expired due to the statute of limitations, you may now have legal options.

Learn more: https://hermanlaw.com/st-georges-school-decades-sexual-abuse-allegations/

Disclaimer: This post is for informational and awareness purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Herman Law does not represent any victims of sexual abuse or assault referenced in this post.

The Diocese of Palm Beach has placed the pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Boynton Beach on administrative leave following serious allegations. A formal investigation is underway and civil authorities have been notified.

If you have information related to this matter, the Diocese of Palm Beach Reporting Line can be reached at (561) 775-9558, or contact the Florida Department of Children and Families at 1-800-96-ABUSE.

The Diocese has not described the nature of the allegations.

If you or someone you love experienced abuse by a member of the clergy, you may have legal options. Contact our team today for a free, confidential consultation.

Learn more: https://hermanlaw.com/diocese-of-palm-beach-places-st-thomas-more-priest-on-administrative-leave-following-serious-allegations/

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Herman Law founder Jeff Herman spoke with the New York Post following a landmark verdict in a New York City public school sexual abuse case. A jury in the Supreme Court of Kings County awarded our client $18 million in damages — the first Child Victims Act lawsuit to reach a jury verdict in the city.

Read the full article in the New York Post here: https://nypost.com/2026/06/28/us-news/new-claims-against-nyc-teacher-accused-of-suffocating-third-grader-after-18m-sex-abuse-verdict/

Meet Sarah Serrano — Lead Attorney, California Office

Sarah is a zealous advocate for survivors of sexual abuse with extensive litigation experience and a personal commitment to guiding and supporting those she represents through every stage of the legal process.

Before joining Herman Law, Sarah was a Partner at a premier national defense firm, where she led her team in defending corporate entities in a wide array of suits including wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. After nine years of gaining invaluable insight into defense strategies and corporate litigation tactics, Sarah made a deliberate decision to pursue more meaningful work as a plaintiff's attorney. Her extensive defense background gives her unique perspective into how corporations operate and defend themselves, allowing her to better advocate for survivors and hold institutions accountable.

We're proud to have Sarah's experience, passion, and dedication to giving survivors of child sexual abuse a voice on our team.