Lauren A. Cerri

Lauren A. Cerri is a passionate advocate for victims of sexual abuse, committed to holding accountable those responsible for such offenses. Based in Alameda County, California, she has represented numerous victims in high-profile cases, including the internationally recognized Audrie Pott case. In this tragic incident, Audrie, a high school student, was sexually assaulted by three male classmates in 2012 and later succumbed to bullying and shame, leading to her suicide eight days after the assault. The case resulted in changes to California law, increasing penalties for teens involved in non-consensual sexual acts.

Ms. Cerri emphasizes that her work extends beyond securing financial compensation for victims. "We’re not just getting money for the victims, we’re changing laws, we’re changing policies and procedures, and training schools, churches, and other institutions to prevent abuse," she states. Her dedication is evident in her pursuit to eradicate sexual abuse through legal avenues and policy changes.

In a significant case against the Morgan Hill Unified School District, Ms. Cerri represented one of the three victims of sexual abuse by a fifth-grade teacher. This lawsuit, which settled for $8.25 million, led to the implementation of a child protection system to educate both students and staff about recognizing and preventing abuse.

Ms. Cerri also served as trial counsel for one of four victims in two separate cases that settled during trial. These involved the Evergreen School District, with a settlement of $15 million, and a childcare provider, with a settlement of $9 million.

Her exceptional legal work has been recognized by her peers, as evidenced by her inclusion in the California Super Lawyers Rising Star list for four consecutive years starting in 2015. In 2016, she was honored as the Santa Clara County Trial Lawyer of the Year.