Sexual Assault Attorneys in Michigan: Your Complete Legal Guide
Michigan has one of the most complex and contested sexual assault civil law landscapes in the country. Following the Larry Nassar case at Michigan State University and the Robert Anderson case at the University of Michigan – two of the largest institutional sexual abuse settlements in American history – the state has been under sustained pressure to reform statutes that advocates have called the most restrictive in the nation. As of early 2026, current law gives adult survivors 10 years from the date of assault to file civil claims, and child survivors until age 28 or three years from discovering the harm. Significant reform legislation passed the Michigan Senate in May 2025 but as of the date of this guide remains pending in the Republican-controlled House. Michigan survivors should consult an attorney promptly, as the legislative landscape is actively shifting.
Understanding Michigan Sexual Assault Laws
Criminal Statutes of Limitations
Michigan’s criminal SOL for sexual offenses was extended in January 2025 when Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bill 4485 into law, extending the criminal statute of limitations for second- and third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Under current Michigan law:
First-degree criminal sexual conduct (MCL 750.520b): No criminal statute of limitations. Prosecution may be brought at any time.
Second- and third-degree criminal sexual conduct (MCL 750.520c, 750.520d): Extended to 15 years from the date of the offense or until the victim turns 28, whichever is later, under the 2025 law (HB 4485, signed January 2025).
Criminal sexual conduct involving a minor: For offenses against victims under 18, Michigan law tolls the criminal SOL until the victim turns 18, then applies the applicable SOL period from that date.
Civil Statutes of Limitations
Adult survivors (MCL 600.5805(6)):
Michigan provides one of the longer civil windows for adult sexual assault survivors among states that have not eliminated the SOL. The period of limitations for actions to recover damages sustained because of criminal sexual conduct is 10 years from the date of the assault. This statutory provision specifies that it is not necessary that a criminal prosecution have been brought as a result of the conduct, nor that any prosecution resulted in a conviction.
Child survivors – Safe Children Act (MCL 600.5851b):
Survivors who were abused as minors may file a civil lawsuit until they turn 28, or within three years of discovering that they suffered damages as a result of the abuse, whichever is later. The three-year discovery period begins when a survivor discovers – or reasonably should have discovered – the connection between the abuse and the emotional, psychological, or physical harm it caused. This is the primary window advocates have criticized as far too narrow: the average age of disclosure for childhood sexual abuse survivors is well into adulthood, and age 28 falls significantly before most survivors are ready to come forward.
No criminal conviction required for civil recovery:
Under MCL 600.5805(6), a civil claim can proceed regardless of whether any criminal prosecution was brought and regardless of whether any prosecution resulted in a conviction. A civil sexual abuse lawsuit applies the lower preponderance-of-evidence standard, not beyond reasonable doubt.
Institutional liability:
Michigan law imposes civil liability on institutions – schools, universities, churches, youth programs, medical facilities, employers – whose negligent hiring, supervision, or retention allowed abuse to occur. The University of Michigan’s $490 million settlement for survivors of former physician Robert Anderson and MSU’s $500 million settlement in the Nassar case demonstrate the scale of institutional accountability that Michigan courts have upheld. However, prior to recent legislative changes, public universities and government entities retained significant immunity protections. HB 4486 (signed into law in 2024) removed governmental immunity for criminal sexual conduct occurring in educational settings.
Pending legislative reform – Justice for Survivors (SB 257-261):
In May 2025, the Michigan Senate passed the Justice for Survivors package by a 25-9 vote. If enacted by the House and signed into law, this legislation would: (1) extend the civil SOL to 10 years from the date of assault, 7 years from discovery, or until the survivor turns 42 – whichever is latest; (2) eliminate the civil SOL entirely when the abuser was criminally convicted; (3) open a one-year revival window for all survivors whose claims were previously time-barred, regardless of when the abuse occurred (damages capped at $1.5 million for revival window claims); and (4) remove immunity for educational institutions that knew about abuse and failed to intervene. As of February 2026, the Republican-controlled House had not scheduled the bills for a vote. Survivors should monitor this legislation as it would significantly expand filing rights if enacted.
Michigan Sexual Assault Attorneys
Grewal Law PLLC
Address: 2290 Science Parkway, Okemos, MI 48864 (also Grand Rapids and Northville offices)
Phone: (888) 211-5798
Website: https://www.4grewallaw.com
Grewal Law PLLC is Michigan’s most prominent institutional sexual abuse litigation firm and one of the leading sexual assault law practices in the country. Founded and led by Manvir “Mick” S. Grewal Sr. (University of Michigan, B.A.; Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D.; John Marshall Law School, LL.M. in Taxation), the firm’s trajectory was transformed in 2016 when Mick spoke with the first survivor of Larry Nassar’s abuse at Michigan State University. That conversation launched what became the largest university sexual abuse settlement in American history.
Grewal Law’s institutional sexual abuse results include representing 111 of the 333 survivors in the $500 million MSU/Larry Nassar settlement; serving as co-lead counsel for over 250 survivors in the $490 million University of Michigan/Robert Anderson settlement; representing 112 survivors in the $380 million USA Gymnastics/USOPC settlement; and representing 44 survivors in the $138.7 million DOJ settlement over the FBI’s mishandling of the Nassar investigation. Total institutional sexual abuse recovery through these cases alone exceeds $1.5 billion.
Mick Grewal holds Super Lawyers recognition, a first-tier U.S. News and World Report ranking, selection to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and a Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished Very High Rating in legal ability and ethical standards. The firm’s sexual assault and civil rights team is led by attorney Ayanna D. Neal. Free confidential consultations. Contingency fee basis – no fees unless the firm wins.
Levy Konigsberg LLP (Michigan Practice)
Address: National firm; offices in multiple states
Website: https://www.levylaw.com
Levy Konigsberg is a national institutional sexual abuse firm that has recovered over $3 billion in compensation for survivors nationally and actively pursues Michigan institutional abuse claims. The firm has handled clergy abuse cases, university abuse cases, juvenile detention facility abuse, physician abuse, and other institutional misconduct matters across Michigan. Free confidential consultation. Contingency fee basis.
Jeff Anderson & Associates
Address: National firm with Michigan presence
Website: https://www.andersonadvocates.com
Jeff Anderson & Associates is one of the country’s longest-running institutional sexual abuse law firms, having pioneered Catholic clergy abuse litigation for over 40 years. The firm actively pursues Michigan clergy abuse claims, school abuse, and other institutional matters and has advocated for legislative reform in Michigan. Free confidential consultations. Contingency fee basis.
Key Considerations for Michigan Survivors
Adult survivors have 10 years from the date of assault. Under MCL 600.5805(6), the 10-year period applies to claims for damages sustained from criminal sexual conduct. This is one of the longer windows for adult survivors, but it is not unlimited and can pass before many survivors are ready to come forward.
Child survivors have until age 28 or 3 years from discovery. Under MCL 600.5851b, this is the narrowest childhood sexual abuse SOL among U.S. states and has been heavily criticized following the Nassar revelations. The discovery rule is critical: if you did not connect the childhood abuse to its psychological or emotional effects until later in life, the three-year period from that discovery may still give you a viable claim.
No conviction required for civil recovery. Michigan law explicitly provides that neither a criminal prosecution nor a conviction is necessary to bring a civil claim for sexual assault damages.
Pending reform could open a revival window. If the Justice for Survivors package (SB 257-261) becomes law, previously time-barred survivors would have one year to file claims regardless of when the abuse occurred, subject to a $1.5 million damages cap for those revival window cases. Consult an attorney now to be positioned to act quickly if the revival window opens.
Institutions can be held liable. Michigan courts have enforced institutional liability for negligent hiring, supervision, and retention that enabled sexual abuse. The Anderson and Nassar settlements prove that even major universities can be held accountable when they knew or should have known about abuse and failed to act.
If the abuser was criminally convicted, additional protections may apply. Under SB 257-261, if enacted, there would be no civil SOL when the abuser was criminally convicted. Even under current law, consult an attorney about whether a conviction affects tolling or other limitations arguments in your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a civil lawsuit in Michigan for sexual assault?
Adult survivors have 10 years from the date of the assault. Child survivors have until age 28 or three years from discovering the connection between the abuse and resulting harm, whichever is later. These windows may be affected by pending legislation.
Can I sue the institution that employed my abuser?
Yes. Michigan recognizes institutional liability for negligent hiring, supervision, and retention. HB 4486 (2024) removed government immunity for educational institutions that concealed systemic sexual abuse. Institutional claims are often the most significant source of financial recovery.
What if I was abused as a child and am now older than 28?
You may still have a claim under the discovery rule if you only recently connected the abuse to its psychological or emotional effects. Consult an attorney immediately. Additionally, if the pending Justice for Survivors legislation passes, a one-year revival window would temporarily allow all survivors to file regardless of age.
Does the abuser need to have been criminally prosecuted?
No. Civil and criminal cases are entirely separate. A civil claim can proceed regardless of whether any criminal charges were filed or any prosecution resulted in conviction.
What should I do if I think my claim may have expired?
Contact a Michigan sexual abuse attorney for a confidential evaluation before concluding your claim is barred. The discovery rule, tolling provisions, and potential revival window legislation may create viable pathways that are not obvious without legal analysis.