Athlete Abuse Lawyer

Athlete Abuse Lawyer – The Fierberg National Law Group

If your child has been harmed while participating in youth sports, you need an athlete abuse lawyer who understands the intricacies of such cases. At The Fierberg National Law Group, our attorneys have trained specifically to help survivors achieve justice, regain power, and compel reform. We remain the only legal team focused on representing families, survivors, and others in lawsuits and other legal proceedings nationwide involving fraternity hazing, school violence, serious personal injury, wrongful death, sexual assault, Title IX violations, and other misconduct.

Playing sports has many benefits for children and youth of all ages including, but not limited to:

• A Healthier Heart
• Reduced Stress and Anxiety
• Diverse Social Connections
• Reduced Risk of Diabetes
• Reduced Body Fat
• Teamwork
• Better Sleep
• Lower Blood Pressure
• Improved Appearance
• Skill Development
• Improved Mood
• Improved Cognitive Function
• Better Academic Outcomes

Parents also expect sports organizations to provide a safe and structured environment in order for their children to reap these benefits. However, not all sports organizations have been able to provide a safe environment and children have been harmed by adults who were meant to protect them. Fortunately, recent legislation has been passed to expand existing laws in order to make sure child abuse that occurs within youth sports is reported and prevented it from continuing once it is discovered.

In 2017 Congress passed a new sports law, called the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act. This law aims to protect amateur athletes from emotional, physical, and sexual abuse by expanding child abuse reporting laws and abuse awareness training required of adults participating in youth sports. This law, commonly known as the SafeSport Act, makes certain that sports organizations as large as national governing bodies and as small as local youth sports teams will follow the procedures set forth in the legislation. This includes mandated reporting, abuse prevention training, records of reported abuse, and background checks.

What Should You Look for When Choosing a Sexual Abuse Lawyer?

Being the victim of sexual abuse or misconduct can be devastating and confusing. As such, you need specially trained lawyers who are passionate advocates for your rights. At The Fierberg National Law Group, these attorneys include:

• Cari Simon, Harvard Law School alum and Inaugural Fellow at the Harvard Gender Violence Clinic, is one of the Nation’s Top Title IX Attorneys representing survivors of sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and sexual harassment in University and K–12 settings nationwide. Ms. Simon has been credited with including stalking and dating violence in the definition of sexual harassment under Title IX, and her impact litigation ensured universities are responsible under Title IX for sexual violence at fraternity houses.
• Rachael Denhollander, Oak Brook College of Law alum, became internationally known in 2016 as the first woman to pursue criminal charges and speak publicly against USA Gymnastics Women’s National Team doctor Larry Nassar, one of the most prolific sexual abusers in recorded history. As a result of Ms. Denhollander’s activism, over 300 women—including numerous Olympic medalists—came forward as survivors of Nassar’s abuse, eventually leading to his life imprisonment. Ms. Denhollander’s courageous tenacity and ongoing advocacy helped trigger a complete upheaval at USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University. Ms. Denhollander was instrumental in helping secure a record-setting $500 million settlement with Michigan State University for Nassar survivors in 2018, and a further $380 million settlement with USA Gymnastics in 2021.
• Olympias Iliana Konidaris (“Iliana”), Washington University Law School alum, has over ten years of experience handling civil litigation and claims involving civil rights in New York City. Ms. Konidaris represents victims and survivors in Title IX proceedings at the K-12, university, and graduate and professional school levels. She also represents survivors of gender-based violence in the workplace and in cyber abuse cases. In 2020, Ms. Konidaris was appointed the Co-Chair of the New York City Bar’s Sex & Law Committee and was named a 2021 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Civil Rights Law.
• Lisa Cloutier, Harvard Law School alum, represents K-12, undergraduate, and graduate students who have experienced sexual assault, harassment, dating violence, stalking, or discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation in Title IX and civil cases. Ms. Cloutier is a former Supervisory Attorney at the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights and a national expert with over fifteen years of experience in successfully obtaining justice (financial and non-monetary settlements and accommodations) for survivors. Ms. Cloutier also employs her experience as an internationally competitive tri-athlete in representing athletes in various cases and advises athlete support organizations including the Childhelp Courage First Athlete Helpline and #WeRideTogether.

Can Your Lawyers Practice Law in My State?

Our legal team has the training, experience, and confidence necessary to overcome tough legal obstacles and well-heeled lawyers. We handle abuse cases in all 50 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

If we are not licensed to practice in the state where tragedy has occurred, we obtain special permission to practice and associate ourselves with qualified local trial counsel – combining local attorneys with national expertise – giving you the best legal representation.

Whether you need an athlete abuse lawyer or a college athlete lawyer, please contact our office at info@tfnlgroup.com or call 1.877.WASH.DC.1 to schedule a confidential conversation.