Stephen has been a trial lawyer for over 35 years. He has faced over 100 jury trials.

His trial record includes an $84 million jury verdict in an antitrust case in 2010 -- the largest such verdict in the Pacific Northwest.

Stephen’s entire career has involved representing everyday people against large corporations and insurance companies.

The last eight years, Stephen has focused his career on helping survivors of childhood sexual abuse against predatory pedophiles and the institutions of trust that enable pedophiles to get access to children, including the Catholic Church, the Boy Scouts of America, the Mormon Church, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Stephen is a respected and experienced trial lawyer who has been chosen as an Oregon Super Lawyer for the last five years-- an award limited to the top 5% of all Oregon Lawyers. Stephen has also been given an AV Preeminent rating by Martindale Hubbell, the highest rating available. This rating indicates that Stephen's peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence.

Areas of Expertise

• Childhood sexual abuse
  • Boy Scout Abuse
  • Priest / Clergy Abuse
  • LDS Church Abuse
  • Seventh-day Adventist Abuse
• Title IX
• Complex commercial litigation

Education

• Juris Doctor, Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College, 1978
• Bachelor of Business Administration, University of Oregon, 1974
• Degree in International Business, Netherlands School of International Business, 1973

Member Affiliations

• American Bar Association
  • Antitrust and Trade Committee
  • Litigation Committee
• Oregon State Bar
  • Defense of Indigent Accused Committee, past chair
  • Litigation Section
  • Business Litigation Section
  • Oregon State Bar Disciplinary Counsel
  • Antitrust Section
• Multnomah Bar Association
  • Professionalism Committee, past chair
  • Defense of Indigent Accused Committee, past chair
  • Equality on the Legal Profession Committee, past chair
• Oregon Criminal Justice Council
• Psychiatric Security Review Board
• Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
• Campaign for Equal Justice
• St. Andrew’s Legal Clinic, Volunteer
• Senior Law Project, Volunteer
  • Received small firm pro bono award
• Network Behavioral Healthcare, board member and past chair
• Ecunet Housing, board member and past chair

Crew Janci LLP partner, Peter B. Janci, has represented more than one hundred victims of sexual abuse for over nearly a decade.

These cases have regularly put Peter up against large and powerful institutions, including: the Catholic Church, the Mormon Church; the Boy Scouts of America, federal, state and local governments, and other public and private institutions of trust. Peter strives to obtain exceptional results for his clients through zealous advocacy and creativity.

In Spring of 2010, Peter Janci served as part of the Plaintiff’s trial team in Kerry Lewis v. Boy Scouts of America — a child sexual abuse trial in Portland, Oregon that resulted in a $19.9 million verdict for the Plaintiff. Peter has tried a number of jury and bench trials, in addition to representing clients in arbitration and meditation. Peter has also helped obtain dozens of other significant settlements for survivors of sexual abuse.

Peter began his advocacy for sexual abuse victims in 2005 when he first met his mentor, Kelly Clark (deceased), a founding partner of O’Donnell Clark & Crew LLP. Peter first advocated for sexual abuse survivors in religious institutions by researching and co-authoring a scholarly article with Kelly Clark and another attorney entitled: “Of Compelling Interest: The Intersection of Religious Freedom and Civil Liability in the Priest Sex Abuse Cases,” 85 Oregon Law Review 481 (2006). For almost a decade, Peter Janci worked closely with Kelly Clark at the law firm of O’Donnell Clark & Crew, representing victims of sexual abuse. Following Mr. Clark’s death in late 2013, Peter and Steve Crew decided they could best continue this legacy by forming a new firm that was solely focused on advocating for victims of sexual abuse and other crimes. That firm is Crew Janci LLP.

Peter Janci says this about his work with survivors of sexual abuse:

``There are a number of lies that keep victims silent – that they won’t be believed; that it was somehow the victim’s fault; that they don’t deserve justice. My great honor and privilege in representing victims of sexual abuse and other crimes is to watch the positive transformation that takes place when victims accept the truth: that it wasn’t their fault and that they deserved (and still deserve) to be respected and protected.”

“We give victims the support they need to stand up and speak the truth to some of the largest and most revered institutions in the world. These survivors are the ones putting a stop to patterns of abuse and cover-up. They are the ones protecting the next generations. They are the heroes. I am honored to work with them.``

Peter Janci’s advocacy for survivors of sexual abuse and other crimes goes beyond traditional lawyering. Peter advocates for legislative changes to extend greater protections and access to justice for children and the vulnerable. Peter also regularly writes and presents about sexual abuse, crime victims’ rights, mandatory reporting, and related issues. Peter appears in local and national media, advocating for his clients and offering insights about sexual abuse and child protection issues--including in the Associated Press, the New York Times, the New York Daily News, and other leading news outlets.

In addition to his work representing victims of sexual abuse and other crimes, Peter selectively accepts a limited number of other serious personal injury cases involving victims of catastrophic injuries, psychological/psychiatrist malpractice, and wrongful death.

Member Affiliations

• National Crime Victim Bar Association
• Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
• American Association for Justice
• Oregon Bar Association
• Multnomah County Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• National Institute for Trial Advocacy

Background

• Selected as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine (2014)
• Selected as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine (2013)
• Selected as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine (2012)
• Selected as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine (2011)
• Selected as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine (2009)
• Former Member, City of Portland’s Small Business Advisory Council
• Former Board Member, Hands on Greater Portland

Education

• Graduated cum laude from Northwestern College of Law at Lewis and Clark College
• Graduated magna cum laude from Wheaton College with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations

Will Stewart has been a litigation attorney since he first passed the bar in 2009. He started his career working for several years at a highly regarded national law firm. Thereafter, Will has worked at specialized firms that are regarded as preeminent in their areas of expertise. After gaining extensive experience defending claims on behalf of corporations, Will came to realize that his calling is to help individuals who have been injured. Will helps those victims seek restitution, which can be financial but also includes the social restitution provided by having courts of law formally recognize and acknowledge victims’ injuries.

With Crew Janci LLP, Will has a practice that allows him to work solely in the pursuit of justice. Will’s practice on behalf of sexual abuse victims involves cases against major religious institutions, educational institutions, youth-focused organizations, and others that expose juvenile victims to sexual abusers. Will firmly believes that the legal process is the best way to force institutions to prevent the abuse of children in those institutions’ care. Whether a client’s goal in litigation is a monetary settlement, a public acknowledgment of wrongdoing, policy changes to prevent abuse in the future, or a private apology, litigation is an important mechanism that victims can use to achieve justice and a measure of closure.

Will grew up in Portland, Oregon, before graduating cum laude from the University of Oregon in 2004, where he was elected to the honor society Phi Beta Kappa. Will then attended Duke Law School with a merit scholarship, where he edited the journal Law & Contemporary Problems. Will is presently a member of the bar in three states: Oregon, Washington, and North Carolina (inactive). In his free time, Will enjoys Oregon Ducks football, experiencing the natural beauty of the Willamette Valley and Columbia River Gorge, and playing with his dog Wallace.

Michele Limpens serves as our Trauma-Informed Legal Intake Specialist. After studying psychology at Rutgers University, Michele earned a Master’s in Social Work from Portland State University. Michele has nearly 30 years of experience working with those experiencing adversity and trauma. Michele understands how trauma affects victims and appreciates the courage it takes to share their stories. She is able to adapt her communication methods to clients’ individual trauma experiences and needs, helping victims feel in control of their stories. Michele values connecting with survivors and ensuring that they feel heard, believed and validated. Michele says: “I am inspired by the courage and resilience of the people I speak with every day.”

Senior Litigation Paralegal, Sheryl Anderson, has worked closely with sexual abuse survivors for nearly 20 years. Sheryl understands clients are often scared, anxious, and untrusting when they first reach out for help. Sheryl says: “I enjoy getting to know our clients and offering a calm and knowledgeable presence as they navigate the unfamiliar legal process. Witnessing the transformation of our clients -- from timid and untrusting to confident and courageous participants in their own lives – is what I find most fulfilling about this work.”

Litigation Paralegal, Joy Zimmerman, has been working with victims for ten years. Joy says: “Doing this work has made me a better, more compassionate person. I witness the effects of sexual violence firsthand, often lasting for decades. I feel very privileged to be part of a team that strives to provide victims with validation and support as they ultimately transition from survivors to ‘thrivers’.”

Sam Blackburn is a Legal Assistant with Crew Janci LLP. Sam comes from a law enforcement family and instinctively believes in standing up to injustices and in helping people. Sam wants victims to know that they are never alone and that it is possible to rectify, in meaningful ways, the wrongs victims have suffered. Sam says: “I am grateful to be able to offer my passion, focus and drive to such a noble cause, and I genuinely hope to do my part in making the world a better place.”

Zach Pangares joins the Crew Janci LLP team from Seattle University School of Law. Before his arrival to the firm, Zach spent several years in the health care industry, and has robust experience in health care transformation, health care strategy, and behavioral health administration. Zach uses his experience to bring a strategic approach to his legal work. Zach says he feels privileged to work with Crew Janci LLP because: “I have spent my entire professional career fighting to give a voice to those who are often not heard. At Crew Janci, I have the profound opportunity to be a listener and an ally as we help our clients pursue the justice they deserve.”

Education:
Juris Doctor Candidate, Seattle University School of Law
• Seattle University Law Review
B.S. Health Management and Policy, Oregon State University