School Sexual Abuse Attorney Serving Palo Alto, California
Survivors of school sexual abuse in Palo Alto have every right to pursue legal action for everything they have been forced to endure. You may take action on behalf of your minor student, or you may take action after experiencing school sexual abuse firsthand. Even if many years have passed since these incidents, lawsuits may still be possible. Although online research can provide plenty of insights into this topic, it often makes more sense to discuss your circumstances during a confidential, no-obligation consultation with a school sexual abuse attorney in California.
When Should Someone Hire a School Sexual Abuse Lawyer in Palo Alto?
Palo Alto School Sexual Abuse Attorney Mary Alexander
Generally speaking, it makes sense to contact a school sexual abuse lawyer as soon as you become aware of an abusive interaction between a student and a teacher. A coach, tutor, or any other school employee may also carry out this type of abuse. Finally, students sometimes sexually abuse each other.
If you merely suspect that your young student might have suffered this type of abuse, you may still want to consult with a sexual abuse lawyer. Your attorney may be able to help you investigate further and gather evidence. It makes sense to notify the school as well. A phone call to the local police department could also be a necessary and logical decision. However, your attorney can better advise based on your situation, what would be best to protect your rights and your case.
If you were abused by a teacher many years ago, you can still work with a lawyer to pursue compensation. The statute of limitations (legal time limits) are longer for school sexual abuse survivors in many cases. Speak with a lawyer to determine whether a lawsuit is possible.
A school sexual abuse lawyer can negotiate on your behalf for a fair settlement. The majority of civil claims do not go to court, and you may be able to obtain compensation without ever going through a trial.
Remember, your communications with a lawyer are completely confidential. If you are not yet sure whether you want to proceed with a claim, you can discuss the process with a lawyer before making your final decision. Your lawyer will keep your discussions private.
Can Mary Alexander & Associates Help In My Situation?
Mary Alexander & Associates maintains an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Google Reviews, based on dozens of client reviews. Here are a few examples:
“P” praised the law firm for getting the “best compensation possible”:
Mary Alexander and her team were supportive, compassionate, and worked hard over a five year period to get justice and the best compensation possible. – Verified Google Review
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Nikki wrote that the law firm was “she’s a powerhouse advocate”:
I can’t speak highly enough of Mary Alexander in San Francisco. Mary embodies the perfect blend of sophistication and tenacity. Her thoroughness is unmatched, and she approaches every case with the determination of a bulldog fighting for her client’s rights. She’s not just a lawyer; she’s a powerhouse advocate who gets results. If you want someone truly exceptional in your corner, Mary Alexander is the one to call! – Verified Google Review
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Gloria wrote that “I am extremely glad I chose Mary Alexander & Associates law firm to represent me…”:
… From the moment that I stepped foot into her office they made me feel very comfortable. She listen to me and my concerns and was very understanding and honest with me about my case. Not once did she ever make me think that my case was not important. They kept me well informed about my case and not once did she ever mislead me in regards to my case. Things went as she predicted and I won my case. I was very pleased with her services. Thank you Mary & Associates – Verified Google Review
How Many Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Has Mary Alexander & Associates Won?
Mary Alexander & Associates has successfully recovered compensation for victims of sexual abuse. This includes a $13-million verdict in a case involving a sexually abusive soccer coach. The firm also recovered almost $3.5 million on behalf of a young student who was sexually abused by a school staff member in California.
Another highlight was a $2.5 million settlement obtained by Mary Alexander & Associates on behalf of a student sexually abused by their high school teacher in California. Outside of school cases, the firm has recovered millions for victims of clergy sexual abuse, workplace sexual abuse and massage sexual abuse.
A History of School Sexual Abuse Lawsuits in Palo Alto
Unfortunately, Palo Alto has a relatively poor record for preventing major sexual abuse incidents at its schools. These are just a few examples of sexual abuse lawsuits and incidents that have occurred over the last few years:
In March of 2026, Palo Alto Online reported that the Castilleja School had settled a sexual abuse lawsuit for $2.5 million. The lawsuit involved three former students at the all-girls private middle and high school who claimed to have been sexually abused by an on-campus tutor. Despite the fact that the tutor was not an official school employee, he was allowed to roam freely around campus. The man then took advantage of this situation, gaining unsupervised access to female students and sexually assaulting them. The lawsuit claims that he sexually assaulted 17 students. The plaintiffs accused the tutor of grooming them and engaging in un-consensual sexual touching during so-called tutoring sessions.
In 2020, Palo Alto Online reported that a music teacher was being sued by a former student for sexual abuse. The teacher was employed by a private music school before allegedly starting a relationship with a 15-year-old student. In addition to the civil lawsuit, the teacher also faced two criminal counts of lewd and lascivious conduct in 2018. The victim’s lawyers claimed that due to his drug abuse, mental illness, and “sexual perversion,” this music teacher should never have had the opportunity to work with young students.
The sexual abuse lawyers in Palo Alto also pointed out that the teacher bragged about his heavy consumption of pornography, sexual exploits, and abuse of narcotics on a personal blog under his own name. A reasonable school would have simply googled the teacher’s name and discovered that he had no business being around students, the lawyers argued. Because the school gave him access to young victims, a young girl was pressured into a sexual relationship with the abuser and ultimately developed numerous urinary tract infections as a result of the intercourse.
In 2019, The Stanford Daily reported that the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) had approved a $150,000 settlement for a female high school student. The student claimed that she had been sexually harassed by a male teammate on the school robotics team. She also accused the school district of mishandling her complaint and failing to do anything about it. Perhaps most notably, the school district allowed the male student to keep his place on the robotics team despite its awareness of the past incident.
The district became aware that two students had previously been in a dating relationship, and that the male student had sent harassing texts to the victim after the relationship ended. The student also faced accusations of forcing the victim to perform oral sex on at least one occasion.
In 2016, KSBW Action News reported that local police had arrested a Palo Alto elementary school teacher for child molestation. The actual incident had occurred more than a decade prior. According to the authorities, the abuse began when the individual started teaching the victim while also beginning a relationship with her mother.
During a counseling session with a psychologist, the victim (then in her 20s) revealed that she had been sexually molested by this individual when she was 11. The psychologist was then obligated by law to notify the police, who then began an investigation. He faced four felony counts of sexual abuse and other charges. The Palo Alto School Superintendent then placed the teacher on leave, and police asked anyone who had experienced similar abuse at the hands of this individual to come forward.
What Is Mary Alexander & Associates’ Background in Law and Sex Abuse Cases?
Mary E. Alexander approached law from a scientific background, having obtained a Master of Public Health degree from the University of California before pursuing a career in law. She obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Santa Clara in 1982. She frequently makes lists of “Best Lawyers” and “Top 100 Lawyers” compiled by publications such as the San Francisco Chronicle and the Daily Journal. Her background in science can be particularly useful in sexual abuse cases, in which biological evidence and sex-related injuries are often important.
Contact Mary Alexander, a trusted sexual abuse attorney, for a confidential consultation. You do not have to face this battle alone—Mary is ready to stand by your side and advocate for your rights. Call today to take the first step toward justice and healing.
Contact Mary Alexander & Associates to Continue This Conversation
Although speaking about school sexual abuse can be challenging, legal professionals are ready to listen if you are ready to talk. A conversation with a school sexual abuse attorney in Palo Alto, California, could provide a sense of closure, and it may represent the first step toward meaningful compensation and justice. Take that next step by contacting Mary Alexander & Associates at 415-433-4440.
