Landmark Agreement Marks Firm's Third Major Diocesan Settlement, Adding to More Than $1.2 Billion Already Secured for Survivors Nationwide

NEW YORK, Oct. 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Slater Slater Schulman LLP, a leading, full-service law firm with decades of experience representing survivors of traumatic and catastrophic events, today announced that a settlement of more than $800 million has been reached with the Archdiocese of New York to resolve claims of childhood sexual abuse. The firm represents 135 of the 1,300 total survivor-claimants in this matter.

"For decades, the Archdiocese of New York allowed predator-priests to operate with impunity, placing them in positions of authority over vulnerable children, turning a blind eye to credible allegations of abuse, and actively suppressing victims from coming forward," said Adam Slater, Founding and Managing Partner of Slater Slater Schulman LLP. "Our clients have carried the weight of this trauma for most of their lives. This settlement cannot undo what was done to them, but it represents a measure of accountability long overdue, and we hope it offers some degree of healing and closure."

"Each of these survivors showed extraordinary courage in coming forward and holding one of the most powerful institutions in New York to account, some of them decades after they were made to stay silent," said Steven L. Alter, Partner at Slater Slater Schulman LLP. "We are grateful to everyone who worked alongside us to reach this resolution. Our work is not finished, and we will keep fighting for every survivor who is still waiting for justice."

The Archdiocese of New York is one of the largest Roman Catholic archdioceses in the country. According to complaints filed by Slater Slater Schulman and other firms, the Archdiocese failed to remove accused clergy from positions with access to children despite credible allegations of abuse, failed to notify parishioners and families of known risks, and failed to report suspected abuse to law enforcement.

According to one representative complaint, Father Reardon, a priest operating under the auspices of the Archdiocese and St. Jean Baptiste Church in Manhattan, sexually assaulted John Doe on multiple occasions beginning when Doe was approximately eight years old and a student at St. Jean Baptiste Parish School. The abuse, which included fondling, attempted anal penetration, and attempted oral sex, occurred on church and school premises between 1958 and 1959. As a result of the abuse, John Doe suffered and continues to suffer severe and permanent emotional distress, physical manifestations of trauma, difficulty sleeping and concentrating, depression, anxiety, problems with sexual intimacy, alcohol and substance issues, and deep loss of faith, among many other lasting effects.

This settlement represents the latest milestone in the firm's national leadership on clergy abuse matters. In October 2024, Slater Slater Schulman announced a record $880 million settlement with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, the largest clergy abuse settlement in U.S. history, on behalf of approximately 250 survivor-claimants. Just weeks prior, the firm served as a mediation party in the $320.5 million settlement with the Diocese of Rockville Centre in New York, representing approximately 100 of the roughly 600 survivor-claimants in that matter. Together with this latest resolution, these outcomes reflect the firm's unparalleled record of securing accountability from major Catholic institutions on behalf of survivors across the country.

The New York State Child Victims Act, signed into law in 2019, allowed survivors to file retroactive lawsuits between August 2019 and August 2021, even where claims had previously expired under existing statutes of limitations. The law also eliminates the statute of limitations for all future lawsuits based on childhood sexual abuse claims.

NOTE: Individuals seeking to be linked to resources for sexual assault survivors can call 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. The National Sexual Assault Hotline operated by RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) provides confidential support from trained staff members and can assist with finding local healthcare resources, help talk through what happened, and offer referrals for long-term support.

About Slater Slater Schulman LLP

Slater Slater Schulman LLP is a leading, full-service law firm with decades of experience representing survivors of traumatic and catastrophic events. Our dedicated attorneys are committed to ensuring the best results for our clients through persistence and compassionate representation. With 11 offices in 10 states, Slater Slater Schulman has achieved successful resolutions in some of the most challenging cases in the nation. We have considerable experience with complex, historical sexual abuse cases involving massive institutions, including academic, religious, and youth organizations. Our firm also represents clients in litigation involving pharmaceutical drugs, product liability, environmental law, employment and labor law, medical malpractice, and personal injury, and has proudly represented thousands of World Trade Center survivors. Learn more at sssfirm.com.

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SOURCE Slater Slater Schulman LLP