My dad was in the military and is a huge inspiration for me. He taught me the importance of fighting for a cause. This cause is so important to me because these individuals have survived horrific, egregious abuse and have been betrayed by the very people they were reassured they could trust. I want them to know that I take their claims seriously and will advocate for justice on their behalf. Pursuing a civil cause of action against the perpetrator or institution who wronged these people is a way to hold them accountable and hopefully obtain closure for these clients.”
Shaunna Marcial is a member of Weitz & Luxenberg’s team of seasoned attorneys who handle personal injury and negligence. She brings several years of experience handling child sexual abuse cases as well as criminal trial experience.
She works on behalf of adults who experienced sexual abuse as a child, as well as those who were abused during adulthood. Ms. Marcial is also assisting in our sex trafficking cases, including litigation against Abercrombie & Fitch where victims were coerced and deceived into participating in commercial sexual activity.
Fighting for Justice
“I’ve always wanted to fight on behalf of people who experienced an injustice. In law school, I became interested in victim advocacy — particularly the opportunity I’d have as a lawyer to represent some of the most vulnerable victims who were sexually abused or trafficked. I always knew there was a criminal process to prosecute these crimes, but when I learned you could also pursue these individuals and institutions civilly, I saw myself working in both avenues throughout my career,” Ms. Marcial says.
“This work really matters. You get to help people and make a real difference in their lives. That’s a privilege,” Ms. Marcial adds.
Helping Victims of Crimes
She explains, “I started my career at the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office. While I was there, I tried both jury and bench trials to verdict. I managed a large, active caseload which required me to speak to hundreds of victims of crimes — ranging from driving while intoxicated cases to child endangerment or domestic violence related charges.
“The most rewarding part for me was always connecting with the victims. It was my responsibility to help them discuss and process a traumatic experience. And I wanted them to know that I did not take that responsibility lightly,” Ms. Marcial declares.
Empathy Is Key
“I really try to show my clients empathy when we speak. I think it’s very important to make them feel understood and validated when they recall the sexual abuse. Many of them reported it and were ignored or accused of lying. It’s my job to restore their trust and reassure them that I’m on their side and will do everything I can to hold the defendants accountable,” Ms. Marcial points out.
“Particularly when it comes to childhood sexual abuse, some people may be reluctant to open up. They’ve been carrying past trauma with them for decades.”
She continues, “I also try to manage their expectations. Justice may look different than what they pictured it would be. You can’t take away the trauma they experienced. No one can. But sometimes knowing they were heard, taken seriously, and believed can bring them some sense of peace.”
CVA Helps Adult Sex Abuse Survivors
Ms. Marcial brings her recent prior experience specializing in Child Victims Act (CVA) cases against school districts and foster care facilities to Weitz & Luxenberg. The CVA made it possible for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file claims against their abusers from decades ago.
“I conducted hundreds of depositions of plaintiffs, defendants, and non-party witnesses to build a case establishing that the defendants knew — or should have known — of the abuse. I’m excited to continue this work at Weitz & Luxenberg. In each of these cases, the institutions failed to properly supervise and protect the children or adults in their care,” Ms. Marcial emphasizes.
She adds, “I’m thankful to work among like-minded colleagues at Weitz & Luxenberg. Every day, we continue striving to achieve justice for our clients and hold perpetrators accountable for their criminal and reprehensible conduct.”
On the Personal Side
Ms. Marcial is licensed to practice law in the state of New York. She earned her J.D. from Fordham University School of Law in New York, New York. She also received her B.A. in American studies from Fordham College at Lincoln Center, with a concentration in politics and power.
Outside the office, Ms. Marcial loves spending time with her husband, young daughter, and dog. She also enjoys exploring restaurants in her Miami neighborhood and taking weekend trips to visit family throughout Florida or friends back in New York.
