Choosing counsel is one of the most consequential decisions a survivor makes. Here is a practical, plain-English guide to what genuinely matters — experience, approach, communication, and cost — and how to recognize the right fit.
The first thing to look for is not years in practice generally, but experience with survivor matters specifically. Sexual-abuse civil cases are their own field. They often turn on holding an institution accountable — a school, employer, religious organization, youth program, or company — which requires investigating what an organization knew and applying specialized legal theories. The National Crime Victim Bar Association, the nation’s first professional association of attorneys dedicated to helping victims pursue civil justice, exists precisely because this work is specialized.
You are entitled to ask directly about that experience, and a confident, survivor-focused attorney will answer plainly. Ask how many survivor matters they have handled and how recently, whether they have brought claims against institutions and not only individuals, and whether they have taken matters like yours through trial when needed. Vagueness or pressure to commit on the spot are reasons to keep looking.
A strong survivor attorney pairs litigation skill with genuine care, and that care is observable rather than just advertised. Trauma-informed practice recognizes that memory of traumatic events is often non-linear, that disclosure is a process rather than a single download, and that the legal system itself can re-injure a survivor if handled carelessly. Watch for these behaviors in your first conversation.
How an attorney communicates is the texture of the entire relationship, so find out early. Ask who will actually handle your matter — the attorney you are meeting, or associates and staff — and who your main point of contact will be. Ask how they keep clients informed and how they involve you in decisions, so you are not surprised months in.
Privacy is often a survivor’s single greatest concern, and it is a legitimate one to raise immediately. Courts in many jurisdictions allow survivors to proceed under a pseudonym such as "Jane Doe" or "John Doe," and protective orders can limit what becomes public. Ask how the attorney would approach protecting your identity and what could become part of the public record. An attorney experienced in this work will have ready, specific answers — and how they respond is itself a signal.
Money questions are not impolite; they are essential, and reputable attorneys expect them. In survivor and personal-injury matters, attorneys commonly work on a contingency fee: they are paid a percentage of any recovery, and you owe no attorney’s fee if there is no recovery. The American Bar Association explains that with a contingency arrangement, the fee comes out of the money awarded if you win, and if you lose you are not required to pay the attorney for the work done — though clients may still be responsible for certain court costs and expenses.
The ABA also advises that a contingency-fee agreement should be in writing and signed, stating the percentage and how settlement, trial, or appeal affects it. So ask plainly: Do you work on contingency, and what percentage? What happens to costs if there is no recovery? Will I get the fee agreement in writing before I commit? Are there circumstances in which I would owe money out of pocket?
A consultation is not an audition you have to pass — it is an interview you are conducting. The attorney is evaluating whether they can help, and you are evaluating whether you trust them with one of the most personal experiences of your life. Bring a written list of questions, consider bringing a support person, and give yourself permission to reflect before deciding. You are not obligated to retain anyone the same day, and pressure to sign immediately is itself a warning sign.
You can speak with as many attorneys as you need to feel confident, and finding a better fit is the process working as intended, not a failure. The Survivor Justice Alliance is not a law firm and does not provide legal services or legal advice; it connects survivors with vetted member attorneys for free and with no obligation, and those attorneys typically work on contingency. If you need free, confidential support while you decide, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24/7 at 800-656-4673.
The Survivor Justice Alliance is an attorney alliance and advocacy organization, not a law firm; nothing here is legal advice. Attorney advertising. Referrals and consultations are free, and alliance attorneys work on contingency. Support is available 24/7 at the RAINN hotline, 800-656-4673.
Look for an attorney who specifically handles survivor and sexual-abuse civil matters — ideally including claims against institutions — rather than a general practitioner. This work involves specialized investigation and legal theories.
Not at all. Fee questions are expected. The ABA advises that contingency-fee agreements be put in writing, stating the percentage and how settlement, trial, or appeal affects it.
Survivor-focused attorneys typically work on contingency, meaning no attorney’s fee unless they recover for you. The Alliance connects survivors with such attorneys at no cost and with no obligation.
Watch the first conversation. A trauma-informed attorney lets you set the pace, does not demand graphic detail, explains options in plain language, respects your boundaries, and welcomes a support person.
Yes. Many survivors bring a trusted support person, and a good attorney welcomes that.
There is no fixed number. Speak with as many as you need to feel confident; consultations through the Alliance are free and carry no obligation.
Keep looking. A consultation is an interview in both directions, and finding a better fit is the process working as intended, not a setback.