Tom Cifarelli has dedicated over three decades to advocating for survivors of child sexual abuse. His law firm takes on only the most compelling cases—accepting just one in ten—to ensure clients receive focused attention, empathy, and the legal resources necessary for effective representation.
A Litigator’s Journey
Early in his career, Cifarelli worked on catastrophic injury cases, learning from older attorneys before shifting his focus to child sexual abuse claims. He recalls instances where schools failed to address allegations properly, allowing abusers to remain in the same environment. These breaches of duty fueled his transition toward these deeply impactful cases.
Setting Legal Precedents
In the 1990s, Cifarelli secured the largest jury verdict in Los Angeles County history for student-on-student violence—a case that resonated beyond the courtroom. He also achieved a $9.5 million pre-trial settlement, marking the highest single-plaintiff award in a California child sexual abuse case. These outcomes not only provided justice for victims but set benchmarks for future cases.
Statute of Limitations & Repressed Memories
A recurring challenge in child sexual abuse law is the statute of limitations. California’s laws have evolved, but when survivors come forward decades later—due to trauma or repression—legal barriers can prevent justice. Cifarelli stresses the emotional complexity of repressed memory cases. Fortunately, these cases often qualify for exception, empowering survivors to press charges long after the abuse occurred.
Protecting Confidentiality and Identity
To shield clients from retraumatization, Cifarelli now files cases using pseudonyms such as Jane or John Doe. This practice permits survivors to pursue justice while maintaining privacy. The addition of therapy and school records as evidence—carefully handled with confidentiality—provides essential support during legal proceedings.
Litigation’s Emotional Toll
Victims often struggle with emotional trauma, shame, or fear. Cifarelli emphasizes that publicizing a case can disrupt a survivor’s sense of safety and privacy. Courts now aim to balance these needs through developments such as allowing anonymous filings and legislative reforms that protect victim confidentiality, like the precedent set in MG vs. Time Warner.
Targeting Predators in Vulnerable Settings
Tom highlights that abuse often occurs in places of trust—schools, youth sports, houses of worship—where predators exploit authority dynamics. His firm’s cases include shocking revelations of medical professionals and clergy abusing minors. The sheer frequency of such incidents has pushed institutions toward preventive reforms such as hotlines and new codes of conduct.
Navigating Institutional Response
Ever mindful of institutional inertia or concealment, Cifarelli warns that organizations often cover up reports to protect their reputation. Mandatory reporters, like teachers or social workers, must notify child protective services or law enforcement—yet some fail to do so. His firm works to hold institutions accountable through litigation and by advocating for policy change.
Call to Action: Better Policies for Victims
Cifarelli emphasizes reforms that facilitate early reporting, extend limitation periods, and improve mandatory reporting compliance. He urges legal professionals to believe survivors and eliminate tactics that dismiss or deny their claims. Only then can the legal system fulfill its role in preventing future abuse.
Legal Impact Beyond Boundaries
Although his base is in California, Tom’s firm collaborates with local counsel in other states. He laments the practical limitations of only being able to accept a fraction of cases but remains committed to expanding access where possible.
Tom Cifarelli’s work underscores the transformative power of focused legal representation for child sexual abuse survivors. With landmark verdicts, legal reforms, and indomitable advocacy, his 30-year mission continues to elevate survivors’ voices, secure justice, and reshape institutional accountability.
The Cifarelli Law Firm
7700 Irvine Center Drive Suite 150
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 502-8600
Online at: The Cifarelli Law Firm
