School Sexual Abuse Attorney Serving Victims in San Mateo, California
A school sexual abuse attorney serving San Mateo, California may be able to help if you have experienced unacceptable misconduct as a student. These legal professionals can also assist the parents of victims who are too young to pursue legal action on their own. Even if many years have passed since your incident, you may still be able to sue the school, teacher, coach, or district for justice and compensation. How do school sexual abuse lawsuits work in California? What are your rights as a victim? How can a lawyer help you fight for these rights?
What Qualifications Does Mary Alexander Have for Sex Abuse Cases?
Mary Alexander has a background in science, which gives her the ability to understand and use highly technical evidence that might be relevant in sexual abuse lawsuits (such as DNA samples). She holds a Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University Law School, and she has earned numerous awards and accreditations over the course of her professional career. She has been called one of the best trial attorneys in the City of San Francisco by sources like the San Francisco Chronicle.
What Do Clients Say about Mary Alexander & Associates?
Mary Alexander & Associates has received overwhelmingly positive reviews on Google and other platforms. Clients praise this firm for its professionalism, patience, and compassion when dealing with sensitive cases like child sexual abuse lawsuits.
Verified Google Review:
Naeema Afzili states that Mary Alexander treated her like a family member: “Most compassionate, heartfelt experience. Not only are they good at what they do, but treat you like family, not a client. Highly recommend.”
Karl Weathersby says that Mary Alexander handled his case with professionalism: “Having Mary Alexander & associates represent us was amazing. They were professional and they kept us informed with the progress of our case. They did a great job and I highly recommend them.”
Janet Barmby told others that this law firm helped her feel at ease and calmed her nerves: “Mary Alexander and her associates have been very professional and compassionate. They calmed our nerves and helped clarify our questions and concerns. She informed us in a timely manner about our claim and helped us to get everything done on time and correctly. She and her staff helped us through a very difficult and heart-wrenching time. We want to thank her and her staff for their exceptional job.”
Why Should Families Work With School Sexual Abuse Attorneys in San Mateo?
School sexual abuse attorneys in San Mateo can help your family in various ways. First, your lawyer can represent your family in all discussions with school districts and law enforcement, saving you and your child from reliving past experiences. These discussions can be needlessly traumatic, and your attorney can negotiate on your behalf without being impeded by the emotions associated with these incidents. Your lawyer can also help you determine whether a lawsuit is even possible in the first place.
Families may receive compensation in one of two ways: They can either settle outside of court with the district, or they can pursue litigation. You can decide how you’d like to proceed, and your lawyer can represent your best interests no matter how your case proceeds. Mary Alexander & Associates can assist with gathering evidence, negotiating for settlements, and much more.
What Kind of Damages Can Our Family Claim in a School Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
Families and victims can claim various economic and non-economic damages when pursuing school sexual abuse lawsuits. Often, these claims revolved around the psychological aspects of abuse. These might include depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), humiliation, shame, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and much more.
However, victims might also experience economic losses as a result of their experiences. For example, a victim might have to pay for expensive counseling as they attempt to come to terms with what has happened. They might also develop problematic substance abuse problems, which require costly rehabilitation to treat. Sometimes, victims cannot seem to focus at work due to intrusive thoughts and flashbacks. These can all affect the economic stability of victims.
The main takeaway is that whether your losses are mostly psychological or economic, you deserve considerable compensation for everything you have endured. These kinds of school sexual abuse lawsuits often lead to millions of dollars in compensation for victims. If you’re curious about which types of damages might apply to your unique lawsuit, consider speaking with an experienced sexual abuse lawyer in San Mateo.
Mary Alexander & Associates Has a Track Record of Winning Sexual Abuse Lawsuits
Mary Alexander & Associates have not only handled sexual abuse lawsuits in the past, but they have also secured considerable victories for victims of this misconduct. For example, the firm secured a $13 million judgment for a victim who had experienced unacceptable sexual abuse at the hands of a former soccer coach.
The firm also helped a former student in Elk Grove secure a $3.45 million settlement for the abuse they had endured at the hands of a school employee. In this case, Mary Alexander successfully argued that the district was responsible for allowing this abuse to occur. Aside from these cases, many other sexual abuse victims have received compensation exceeding seven figures after choosing to work with Mary Alexander & Associates.
Examples of School Sexual Abuse Lawsuits in San Mateo
San Mateo has been plagued by sexual abuse lawsuits involving schools, art instructors, coaches, and other adults in positions of trust over children. In 2018, CBS News reported that a San Mateo ballet instructor had been arrested on 16 counts of sexual assault with a minor. At the time, officials said that the 54-year-old had sexually assaulted children under 14 on 16 different occasions.
In April of 2025, a judge sentenced a San Mateo County teacher to life in prison after his conviction on 17 counts of felony child molestation. The teacher allegedly groped several Grade 1 and Grade 2 students during his time at El Crystal Elementary School and Allen Elementary School. A victim first came forward and accused the teacher in 2018, but they were discouraged from further action when the school district accused them of lying.
Several additional students then came forward, and it eventually became clear that they were telling the truth. After the defendant’s conviction, these victims decided to file a school sexual abuse lawsuit against the San Bruno Park School District. They believe that officials could have stopped the abuse.
Also in 2025, Jefferson Union High School District in San Mateo County faced two separate sexual abuse lawsuits involving Terra Nova High School. One lawsuit involved a woodshop teacher who allegedly stalked and groomed a special ed student before sexually assaulting her. Students and parents reportedly referred to this defendant as the “creepy teacher” and reported him on several occasions, but the administrators “failed to follow up.”
While investigating this incident, the authorities found evidence of another abusive teacher operating at the same school years prior. This led to a second lawsuit involving a victim who was just 16 when her chemistry teacher sexually assaulted her. Both lawsuits allege that this specific high school engaged in negligent hiring practices and failed to investigate reports of sexual abuse.
In January of 2026, a music teacher in San Mateo County pleaded no contest to six felony counts of sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old child. He also pleaded guilty to eight additional felony counts of oral copulation on a child under 18. ABC 7 noted that this was part of a plea deal, and that he could have received 25 years in prison if other charges had been included. His deal resulted in a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
Officials say that the teacher met the victim when she was just 10. By the time she had reached the age of 14, he had started to sexually abuse her. The victim says that all of the sexual abuse occurred on school grounds; in the music room and even on the stage of the auditorium. The victim came forward as a young adult, and she managed to elicit a confession from him on the phone. The police then used this taped confession as evidence in court.
The victim also filed a civil school sexual lawsuit against the Bayshore Elementary School District. As part of the investigation into this case, her sexual abuse lawyer allegedly discovered that the teacher never acquired a college degree or any teaching credentials. If this is true, it suggests extremely negligent hiring practices on the part of the district.
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 Today for Further Guidance
If you’re curious about how a lawyer can guide your family toward justice and compensation, consider speaking with Mary Alexander & Associates at your earliest convenience. Founding attorney Mary Alexander has considerable experience with school sexual abuse lawsuits, and you can learn more about the next steps by contacting her today. Call 415-433-4440 to continue this conversation with a school sexual abuse attorney serving San Mateo, California.
