For another six months, survivors of sexual assault who were 18 years old or older at the time of the assault may file claims under New York’s Adult Survivors Act. The window, in which previously stale claims for sexual assault may be revived, opened on November 24, 2022, and will close on November 23, 2023. Mariann Wang was interviewed as part of an Inside City Hall segment discussing the ASA window and the legislation’s critical role in permitting survivors to pursue long overdue justice.
In the Media
Miller et al. v. City of New York et al.
Cuti Hecker Wang obtained a $53 million settlement on behalf of a class of pre-trial detainees and parolees who claim that the New York City Department of Correction purposefully evaded limitations on the use of solitary confinement by placing inmates in unlawful stealth restrictive housing facilities. The settlement received extensive coverage in the New York Times, New York Post, and New York Law Journal. Our co-counsel, Alex Reinert of Cardozo Law School, discussed the settlement on Inside City Hall.
Sexual Assaults of Transgender Woman on Rikers Island
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.
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.