(888) 407-0224Our attorneys have nearly 40 years of combined experience representing hundreds of victims of sexual abuse and other crimes. At Crew Janci LLP, we focus our practice on representing victims of sexual abuse and other crimes. Our attorneys have been honored to advocate for children and adults who have suffered sexual abuse, exploitation, and other crimes throughout the United States (and beyond).
About Crew Janci
Featured In
We are dedicated to
Empowering Victims of
Sexual Abuse and Other Crimes
We bring cases against large national organizations that have enabled or allowed abuse, including the Catholic Church, the Mormon Church, the Boy Scouts of America, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Boys and Girls Club, the Boy Scouts of America, public and private schools, athletic leagues, and other “institutions of trust.” whose employees abuse children or the vulnerable. We also regularly represent adults who suffer sexual assaults and other crimes (including victims impacted by homicide of a loved one).
We care deeply about our clients and are honored to assist survivors of abuse and other egregious crimes as they pursue justice and healing.
Our Team
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
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:
- Cum laude, Seattle University School of Law
- Managing Editor, Seattle University Law Review
- Extern for United States District Judge Benjamin H. Settle for the Western District of Washington.
- B.S. Health Management and Policy, Oregon State University
Shiwanni began her legal career in civil litigation with a focus on employment discrimination and sexual harassment. Here at Crew Janci, Shiwanni litigates sex abuse cases, with a special focus on online sex abuse and nonconsensual dissemination.
“One of the things that perpetrators try to take away from victims of sex abuse is the ability to participate fully in all areas of life. Justice for survivors means a reclaiming of that ability, on their terms. I am grateful to be a part of that journey.”
In her free time, Shiwanni enjoys reading, doing crossword puzzles, skating with her dog—Cirrus, practicing her baking skills, and debating the pros and cons of an all-butter pie crust.
Member Affiliations
- Oregon Bar Association
- Technology Law Section
- American Bar Association
- Multnomah County Bar Association
- Oregon Trial Lawyers Association
- International Association of Privacy Professionals
Education:
- J. D., University of Oregon, School of Law
- Extern for United States Magistrate John V. Acosta, for the District of Oregon
- Extern for United States Magistrate Mustafa T. Kasubhai, for the District of Oregon
- Legal Research Fellow, Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics
- Chief Justice, Associated Students of the University of Oregon Constitution Court
- B. A. Spanish Literature, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Jin Kim is a litigation paralegal at Crew Janci LLP. Jin has background in criminal justice and she strongly believes that every crime victim deserves respect and justice. Jin finds her work meaningful and hopes to empower clients through their traumatic experiences. Jin says: “I am grateful to be given an opportunity to be part of a powerful movement and I am inspired by the courage of our clients every day. I hope to help bring peace and positivity in client’s lives through my work.”
Using a trauma-informed approach, Michele Limpens serves as the firm’s 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.”
Linda Khoury meets our clients with 10 years of experience in Portland law firms and a life-long commitment to nurturing resilience in others. Linda grew up in a vibrant Levantine community shaded by the Ponderosa Pines of the Inland Northwest. She finds purpose and hope in the pursuit of civil justice and keeps herself going with barrels of cold brew coffee, salted dark chocolate, and winding oud melodies.
Our Approach
Each victim has a unique story about what happened and the impact it has had on their life (and often also on the life of their loved ones). At Crew Janci LLP, we understand that serving victims of trauma requires a special approach. We continually strive to provide trauma-informed services to victims. We take a wholistic approach that recognizes the pervasive impacts of trauma across many areas of life, including mental, emotional, physical, relational, spiritual, and financial.
We regularly consult with survivors who simply need to break their silence and talk to someone. We have built a team of caring professionals that are trained and experienced in sensitively supporting trauma victims – including several Masters-level social workers who serve as trauma-informed intake specialists on our team Often, our a team member of Crew Janci LLP’s may be is the first person the a survivor has ever told. Sometimes the call comes from the parent of a victim who is still a child; other times, the victim is well into adulthood. Sometimes, it has been decades since the abuse happened; other times, the call comes the same day.Some victims who contact us may ultimately decide not to pursue legal claims at all, and in those circumstances, we view it as our job– and an honor – to walk alongside, to listen, to suggest counselors or other resources, and to support them in their process of healing.
Lawsuits are a tough business. There is no “one size fits all” approach that works for every survivor. For many people, pursuing civil justice is an important and helpful step on the journey of healing and recovery from sexual violence and other crimes. It is our job to help survivors fully understand their options, the challenges and difficulties they will face, and what can be accomplished along the way – including monetary compensation and nonmonetary justice (like an apology, the release of particular information about a perpetrator, a policy change, or a similar goal).
Our Results Speak for Themselves
Abuse Dating Back
70
Years
More Than
500
Victims Helped
Monetary Recovery
200
Recovered
National Reach
20
States Covered
Client Testimonials
We are proud to have obtained numerous significant monetary settlements & awards for our clients over more than fifteen years exclusively advocating for victims. Many of our clients report that the outcome of civil case we bring is life-changing for them. These wins have provided our many of our clients with the restitution and symbolic justice they deserve for what they have suffered.
These results also play an important role in making other children safer in the future. When responsible organizations are required to pay compensation for the damage they have enabled, those payments, coupled with nonmonetary changes accomplished by our clients, help pressure institutions to change their protection policies and practices to make vulnerable children and adults safer. We are very proud of the ways our clients have helped bring about positive social change and are honored to play a substantial part in the process.
You don’t have to suffer alone -
Let us help.
If you need advice or just want someone to listen who is on your side, we can help. Contact us now for a confidential free consultation. We will help you understand your options or give you a referral to someone who may be able to help.
