We recently obtained a $1.4 million settlement in a lawsuit filed by a transgender woman who was sexually assaulted twice during five harrowing days in a jail for male detainees on Rikers Island. The settlement is among the largest of any claim brought by an individual in New York State for sexual assault while in custody.
In the Media
Adult Survivors Act Soon to Be Law
New York State enacted the Adult Survivors Act to revive claims for sexual assault where the victim was over the age of 18 years old at the time of the assault. On November 24, 2022, a one-year look-back window will open to permit survivors of adult sexual assault to pursue their claims in court no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.
Mariann Wang participated in a Q+A session about the Adult Survivors Act and what it means for survivors seeking justice.
Prince Andrew’s Shameful Affiliation with Jeffrey Epstein
With Gloria Allred, we have represented dozens of individuals who were victimized by Jeffrey Epstein. We stood with them as they bravely told their stories in public, as described in CBS News, NBC News, and The Guardian. We successfully obtained compensation for their harms in court and through the Epstein Victims Compensation Program.
Recently, we spoke out to discuss how shameful it is that Prince Andrew continues to reap the privileges of his position, even after associating with Epstein for years. Mariann Wang spoke about this to The Guardian and The Daily Mail.
Biased NYPD Sexual Assault Investigations
On behalf of two sexual assault survivors, Cuti Hecker Wang attorneys filed suit against New York City alleging sex discrimination in the inadequate provision of police and investigative services to victims of rape and sexual assault. Read news coverage highlighting our lawsuit. On June 30, 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a systemic investigation into the NYPD’s gender-biased policing practices.
Redistricting Litigation
The firm represents the New York Senate in connection with ongoing litigation relating to the constitutionality of the Congressional, Senate, and Assembly lines that were drawn earlier in 2022. On April 4, 2022, the firm obtained a stay of enforcement of the trial court’s ruling from the Appellate Division, Fourth Department. On April 20, 2022, Alice Reiter argued the appeal before the Appellate Division.
Defamation Law – Comments on Heard v Depp Case
Mariann Wang was among several leading experts who spoke to The Guardian about defamation law in connection with the trial in the Amber Heard v. Johnny Depp defamation case.
In re Former Governor Cuomo
Mariann Wang represents two women who were found by the New York Attorney General to have been harassed by former Governor Cuomo. As widely reported in the New York Times, the Washington Post, CNN, the Wall Street Journal, ABC News, and the Today Show, on behalf of her clients, Ms. Wang pressed for Cuomo to resign after the report was issued and continues to push back against his ongoing efforts to deny the allegations. Both clients – Alyssa McGrath, who still works for the Executive Chamber, now under Governor Kathy Hochul, and Virginia Limmiatis – remain committed to holding Cuomo accountable, and grateful to be among 11 women who had the courage to report his transgressions.
Miriam Haley v. Harvey Weinstein
With Gloria Allred, we represent Miriam Haley, whose testimony that Harvey Weinstein sexually abused her led to his conviction and a 20-year prison sentence. We successfully objected on Ms. Haley’s behalf when a proposed settlement of a class action would have barred her from pursuing her own strong claims, as described in the Hollywood Reporter. And we have filed suit against Weinstein seeking summary judgment on liability in light of his criminal conviction, as reported in the New York Post.
J.S. v. Dalton School, et al.
We are suing the Dalton School and its former Head of School on behalf of J.S. under New York’s Child Victims Act. At age 14, J.S. was offered free tuition and board, living with the Head of School and attending the Dalton School for 9th grade. The unusual arrangement ultimately allowed for multiple opportunities of sexual abuse, which has had profoundly negative consequences on our client’s life. Read about the case in the New York Law Journal, the New York Daily News, and the New York Post.
Anti-Semitic Bullying
We represent a former New Jersey public high school student who claims that school officials failed to protect her from severe and pervasive retaliation by her fellow students after her parents reported a shocking incident of anti-Semitism during a school field trip. Read extensive coverage of the lawsuit in the New York Times.