Slater Slater Schulman LLP Reaches Historic $4 Billion Settlement With Los Angeles County on Behalf of More Than 3,500 Survivors of Child Sexual Assault at MacLaren Hall and Juvenile Detention Facilities

Slater Slater Schulman LLP Proudly Represents 'Jane Doe 1" and More Than 1,500 Survivor-Claimants of MacLaren Hall, As Well As 2,000 Survivor-Claimants at Other Los Angeles County-Operated Juvenile Detention Facilities

Settlement is Largest of Its Kind in U.S. History

LOS ANGELES, April 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Slater Slater Schulman LLP, a leading, full-service law firm with decades of experience representing survivors of traumatic and catastrophic events, is proud to announce that Los Angeles County has agreed to a historic $4 billion settlement on behalf of thousands of survivors of sexual abuse who suffered at MacLaren Hall and juvenile detention centers in the county. Slater Slater Schulman served as co-lead counsel in the negotiations and represents Jane Doe 1, the plaintiff in the very first case filed in 2021. Slater Slater Schulman Partner James Lewis and Senior Associate Attorney Alina Sookasian also serve as co-lead counsel on behalf of survivors in the MacLaren Hall cases, working closely with Los Angeles Managing Partner Michael Carney, Senior Associate Attorney J. Kyle Gaines, and other key members of Slater Slater Schulman's Los Angeles team.

This settlement with Los Angeles County is the largest in U.S. history on behalf of sexual assault survivors, with the second highest being the $2.46 billion settlement reached on behalf of more than 82,000 former members of the Boy Scouts of America. Adam Slater co-founded the Coalition of Abused Scouts for Justice, served as a lead negotiator for the reorganization plan, and was appointed to serve on the seven-person Settlement Trust Advisory Committee tasked with overseeing the distribution of claims as fairly, efficiently and expeditiously as possible.

"This settlement with L.A. County represents a significant victory for survivors, many of whom have waited decades for justice and served life sentences of trauma for doing no wrong," said Adam Slater, Founding and Managing Partner of Slater Slater Schulman LLP. "While no amount of money can erase the horrors that they endured, this agreement acknowledges the profound harm inflicted on thousands of children over the course of decades. The message sent with a settlement of this magnitude is clear - any facility harboring a culture of abuse will be held accountable. But the problems at juvenile detention facilities are not restricted to Los Angeles – other cities and states need to right these historic wrongs."

MacLaren operated as a county-run children's facility from 1961 to 2003, housing thousands of youths who had been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or other circumstances. Over the years, the facility was plagued by reports of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, as well as inadequate staffing and poor living conditions. Other county-operated juvenile detention centers where abuse occurred include Camp Joseph Scott in Santa Clarita, Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, and LA County Juvenile Hall in Los Angeles.

According to complaints filed by Slater Slater Schulman and other firms, many staff members at MacLaren Hall had criminal histories. The county did not regularly conduct background checks on staff until 2001, just two years before the facility closed. When background checks were finally performed in 2001, it was found that at least 17 current employees had histories that should have disqualified them from working with children. Additionally, many of the complaints revealed a disturbing pattern where staff members would sexually abuse the children as a form of punishment.

The 2019 passing of the California Child Victims Act by state legislature played a pivotal role in the wave of sexual abuse complaints filed against the County of Los Angeles after January 1st, 2020. By extending the statute of limitations, creating a lookback window, and broadening the definitions of abuse, the Act provided survivors with new opportunities to seek justice and hold their abusers accountable.

Slater Slater Schulman commends the courage of both, the survivors who came forward, and the state legislators who recognized the importance of this issue. The firm remains committed to advocating for victims of institutional abuse and working to prevent future harm to vulnerable individuals.

NOTE: Individuals seeking to be linked to resources for sexual assault survivors can call 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. The National Sexual Assault Hotline operated by RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) provides confidential support from trained staff members and can assist with finding local healthcare resources, help talk through what happened, and offer referrals for long-term support.

About Slater Slater Schulman LLP

Slater Slater Schulman LLP is a leading, full-service law firm with decades of experience representing survivors of traumatic and catastrophic events. Our dedicated attorneys are committed to ensuring the best results for our clients through persistence and compassionate representation. With 11 offices in 10 states, Slater Slater Schulman has achieved successful resolutions in some of the most challenging cases in the nation. We have considerable experience with complex, historical sexual abuse cases involving massive institutions, including academic, religious, and youth organizations. Our firm also represents clients in litigation involving pharmaceutical drugs, product liability, environmental law, employment and labor law, medical malpractice, and personal injury, and has proudly represented thousands of World Trade Center survivors. Learn more at sssfirm.com.

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SOURCE Slater Slater Schulman LLP