Sexual Assault Attorneys in California: Your Complete Legal Guide
If you or someone you love has survived sexual assault in California, this guide covers the state’s key laws, statutes of limitations, and profiles of five law firms that represent survivors in civil claims.
Introduction
California has one of the most survivor-focused legal frameworks in the nation. The state has repeatedly expanded both criminal statutes and civil filing deadlines over the past decade, with landmark legislation in 2019, 2022, and 2024 dramatically increasing survivors’ access to the courts. A statewide assessment found that at least 86% of California women and 53% of California men have experienced sexual abuse — rates higher than national averages. Civil lawsuits allow survivors to hold perpetrators and institutions financially accountable, independent of the criminal process, and are often the primary path to justice when criminal charges were never filed or resulted in acquittal.
California Sexual Assault Laws
Definitions and Criminal Offenses
California’s sexual offense statutes are spread across Penal Code Sections 261 through 289.
Rape (Penal Code § 261) is defined as non-consensual sexual intercourse accomplished by force, violence, duress, menace, or fear of immediate bodily injury, or with a person incapable of consent due to intoxication, unconsciousness, or mental disorder. Rape is a felony carrying 3, 6, or 8 years in state prison. If the victim was a minor under 14, the sentence increases to 9, 11, or 13 years.
Sexual Battery (Penal Code § 243.4) covers non-consensual touching of an intimate part of another person for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification, or abuse. Felony sexual battery carries 2, 3, or 4 years in state prison.
Sodomy by Force (Penal Code § 286) and Oral Copulation by Force (Penal Code § 287) are felonies carrying comparable penalties to rape when committed by force, menace, duress, or against a person incapable of consent.
Lewd and Lascivious Acts with a Minor (Penal Code § 288) criminalizes touching a child under 14 for sexual purposes. It is a felony carrying 3, 6, or 8 years. With force or duress, the range increases to 5, 8, or 10 years. Aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14 (Penal Code § 269) is a felony carrying 15 years to life.
Convictions for most felony sexual offenses require lifetime registration on the California Sex Offender Registry under Penal Code § 290.
Criminal Statutes of Limitations
Under Penal Code § 799(b)(1) (the Justice for Victims Act, enacted 2016), there is no criminal statute of limitations for the following offenses when committed on or after January 1, 2017: rape, sodomy by force, oral copulation by force, lewd acts with a minor under 14, and several other qualifying sex crimes. For crimes not covered by this provision, the criminal limitation for adult victims is generally 10 years. For crimes committed against minors, criminal prosecution must generally be initiated by the victim’s 40th birthday. Misdemeanor sexual battery carries a 2-year criminal limitation.
Civil Statutes of Limitations
California’s civil SOL framework for sexual assault is among the most complex and most survivor-friendly in the United States, having undergone a series of legislative reforms since 2018.
Adult Survivors (18 or older at time of assault):
Under Code of Civil Procedure § 340.16, civil claims for sexual assault against adult survivors must be filed within 10 years from the date of the last act of sexual assault, or within 3 years from the date the survivor discovers or reasonably should have discovered that an injury resulted from the assault — whichever period expires later.
Assembly Bill 2777 (2022) — Adult Lookback Window (Open through December 31, 2026):
AB 2777 created a 3-year revival window from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2026 for adult sexual assault claims. This window applies to assaults that occurred on or after January 1, 2009, and allows survivors to file civil claims that would otherwise be time-barred. The window covers claims against perpetrators and — where a cover-up can be alleged — against institutions.
Assembly Bill 250 (signed October 13, 2025) — Cover-Up Revival Window:
AB 250 amended § 340.16 to add a new 2-year window from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2027 specifically for adult survivors whose claims were previously time-barred against entities that engaged in a “cover-up” — defined as a concerted effort to hide evidence of sexual assault, including the use of nondisclosure or confidentiality agreements. This window excludes public entities such as the State of California and the UC Regents.
Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors:
For incidents that occurred before January 1, 2024: Under Code of Civil Procedure § 340.1 as amended by AB 218 (2019), childhood sexual abuse survivors may file civil claims until their 40th birthday (22 years after reaching the age of majority at 18), or within 5 years from the date of discovering that a psychological injury or illness caused after reaching adulthood was caused by the childhood sexual assault — whichever period expires later. AB 218 also created a lookback window from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2022, which has now closed.
For incidents that occurred on or after January 1, 2024: Under AB 452, signed in 2023 and effective January 1, 2024, there is no statute of limitations whatsoever for civil claims based on childhood sexual assault. Survivors may file at any time during their lives. Note that this provision is not retroactive — it applies only to incidents occurring on or after January 1, 2024. Where the plaintiff is 40 or older at the time of filing, their attorney must file a certificate of merit signed by a licensed mental health practitioner confirming the claim has merit.
Top 5 Sexual Assault Attorneys in California
1. Manly, Stewart & Finaldi
Phone: (855) 928-5364
Website: https://www.manlystewart.com
Offices: Irvine (primary), statewide
Manly, Stewart & Finaldi is widely regarded as the nation’s leading sexual abuse law firm. The firm has recovered more than $2 billion on behalf of survivors from the nation’s largest school districts, religious institutions, municipalities, sports organizations, and Fortune 500 companies. Notable recoveries include $880 million in the USA Gymnastics/Larry Nassar cases, $852 million against USC over the Dr. George Tyndall abuse, $660 million from the LA Archdiocese, $490 million from the University of Michigan over Dr. Robert Anderson, and $243 million from UCLA over gynecologist James Heaps. Founding partner John C. Manly has been named to California’s Top 100 Attorneys by the Los Angeles Daily Journal and selected for Super Lawyers for multiple consecutive years. Partner Morgan Stewart focuses on civil claims against institutions. Partner Courtney Thom previously served as a Deputy District Attorney for Orange County, where she tried more than 50 criminal sex crimes cases. The firm exclusively handles sexual abuse cases and accepts clients on a no-fee-unless-we-win contingency basis.
2. Taylor & Ring
Address: 1230 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 300, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Phone: (310) 209-4100
Website: https://www.taylorring.com
Taylor & Ring is a Los Angeles plaintiff firm specializing in sexual abuse, rape, and sexual assault civil litigation throughout Southern California and beyond. Attorneys John Taylor and David Ring lead the firm’s sexual abuse and assault practice, which covers adult sexual assault, rape, date rape, sex trafficking, sexual abuse in the entertainment industry, sexual abuse by doctors, sexual abuse in schools (by teachers, coaches, and fellow students), sexual abuse in youth and religious organizations, and relationship sexual abuse. The firm helped secure a combined $102.5 million award for two women sexually assaulted while attending Dartmouth Middle School, and has obtained multiple seven- and eight-figure results for other survivors. The firm offers free consultations and works on a contingency basis.
3. Ribera Law Firm
Address: San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Phone: (415) 576-1600
Website: https://www.riberalaw.com
Ribera Law Firm is a Northern California plaintiff firm led by attorney Sandra Ribera Speed, Esq., who handles sexual assault and abuse civil litigation with a focus on clergy sexual abuse, school sexual abuse, and sexual assault by medical providers. The firm has achieved multiple recent seven-figure settlements for clients, including a $1,875,000 settlement against a physician. Sandra Ribera Speed has also filed suit against the Diocese of Oakland on behalf of an adult survivor of clergy abuse. The firm represents survivors throughout California and offers the option of filing claims anonymously as a “John Doe” or “Jane Doe” to protect privacy. Cases are handled on a contingency basis; free case reviews are available.
4. Cutter Law P.C.
Address: Sacramento, CA
Phone: (888) 285-3333
Website: https://cutterlaw.com
Cutter Law P.C. is a Sacramento sexual abuse litigation firm whose attorneys handle civil claims for survivors of clergy abuse, school abuse, and youth sports abuse across California. The firm’s team includes partner Celine Cutter, who focuses on holding institutions accountable for enabling abuse. The firm helps survivors tell their story, build their case, and pursue compensation through the civil court system. Cases are taken on a contingency basis and free case reviews are available. The firm also maintains a detailed client education practice, with video content and FAQ resources explaining how California sexual abuse lawsuits work.
5. Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger
Address: 650 California Street, 26th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone: (415) 233-4074
Website: https://www.walkuplawoffice.com
Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger is a San Francisco plaintiff firm with over 60 years of experience handling personal injury and sexual abuse civil claims throughout California. The firm’s sexual abuse practice covers child sexual abuse, clergy abuse, school and institutional abuse, Boy Scouts of America abuse, rideshare sexual assault (Uber and Lyft), nursing home abuse, and vacation rental sexual assault. Case results in sexual abuse matters include a $2 million settlement and a $3.9 million settlement. Attorneys Michael Kelly, Richard Schoenberger, Matthew Davis, Douglas Saeltzer, Khaldoun Baghdadi, Doris Cheng, Sara Peters, and others handle the firm’s litigation. The firm notes that new California lookback provisions may give survivors outside the original statute of limitations a second opportunity to pursue compensation. Free consultations are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current civil statute of limitations for adult sexual assault survivors in California?
For assaults occurring on or after January 1, 2019, adult survivors have 10 years from the date of the last act of assault, or 3 years from the date of discovering that an injury was caused by the assault, whichever is later. AB 2777 created a lookback window open through December 31, 2026, for assaults occurring from 2009 onward that were otherwise time-barred. AB 250 added a new window through December 31, 2027, for claims against entities that engaged in a cover-up.
Is there a time limit for childhood sexual abuse civil claims in California?
For abuse that occurred on or after January 1, 2024, there is no time limit whatsoever. For abuse that occurred before 2024, survivors generally have until their 40th birthday or 5 years from discovering the psychological connection to the abuse. AB 218 created a prior lookback window (2020-2022) that has closed.
Can I sue the institution where the abuse took place, not just the individual perpetrator?
Yes. California law allows civil claims against institutions — schools, churches, hospitals, sports organizations, employers — that failed to prevent or actively covered up abuse. Institutional liability theories include negligent hiring, negligent retention, negligent supervision, and failure to report.
Do I need a police report to file a civil lawsuit in California?
No. A civil lawsuit is independent of any criminal case. You can file a civil claim whether or not a police report was made, and regardless of whether criminal charges were brought or resulted in conviction or acquittal.
Closing
California’s civil statute of limitations framework for sexual assault survivors is the most generous in the nation, with multiple active lookback windows and no time limit at all for childhood abuse occurring after January 1, 2024. If you are a survivor, consulting an attorney now is the best way to understand exactly which window or deadline applies to your case. The firms above offer free, confidential consultations and handle cases on a no-fee-until-win basis.
For immediate crisis support, contact the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. California’s statewide crisis line is available through the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA) at 1-800-656-HOPE.