Jane Doe 1 et al. v. Union School District

Dollar Amount: $102.5 million

Case Name: Jane Doe 1 et al. v. Union School District

Type of Case: Sexual abuse

Court: Santa Clara County

Judge(s): Superior Court Judge Eric Geffon

Plaintiff Lawyers: Corsiglia, McMahon & Allard, Lauren A. Cerri; Taylor & Ring, Natalie Weatherford

Defense Lawyers: Orbach Huff Suarez & Henderson LLP, Kevin E. Gilbert, Carolyn M. Aguilar, Christopher R. Creech

At age 16, Jane Doe 1 had kept silent for three years despite ongoing sexual assaults by her middle school music teacher. But when the teacher threatened to post a video on social media if she didn't spend more time with him, she called police.

"She got him arrested and stopped him from abusing other students," said her attorney, Lauren A. Cerri of Corsiglia McMahon & Allard LLP. The former teacher, Samuel Neipp, is currently serving 56 years in state prison for his crimes.

"Our first challenge was that her family was deeply concerned that their daughter would be re-traumatized by reliving the abuse in court, but they wanted to hold the school district responsible."

Cerri said the family's concerns were soothed by meeting her firm's sexual abuse practice group. "We have a victim advocate, a former police detective and a former D.A. on the team, and they put the girl's parents at ease."

Natalie Weatherford

Years earlier, Jane Doe 2 had been among Neipp's first victims. She was now attending the Yale School of Medicine and learned about Neipp's arrest through news accounts. "She came forward even though she was afraid her success would be held against her," said her attorney, Natalie L. Weatherford of Taylor & Ring.

Indeed, the school district's defense lawyers pushed hard on the theme that the girls had not been seriously harmed because they appeared to be doing well in their lives.

"We stressed that just because you look good on the outside doesn't mean that there's no pain on the inside," Weatherford said.

Kevin Gilbert of Orbach Huff & Henderson LLP, representing the school district, did not return a message seeking comment.

Cerri said Jane Doe 1 was powerful on the stand. "She made an incredible, compelling witness who showed the impact of the abuse. I'm in awe of her strength." The parents also impressed the jury. "They testified about how long they have complained about this man crossing boundaries and targeting girls while the school district gave him tenure and awarded him teacher of the year."

Jane Doe 1 was awarded $65 million; Jane Doe 2 was awarded $37.5 million. The school district has filed an appeal. Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 v. Union School District, 19-CV-343088 (S. Clara Co. Sup. Ct., filed Feb. 11, 2019).

"The outcome shows school districts and the community that juries understand the lifetime impact abuse like this has on victims," Weatherford said.

--John Roemer