Shari Lynn Karney

Shari Karney is a dedicated, passionate attorney well known for pursuing justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Shari is highly recognized as a litigator and pioneer on behalf of survivors. She was one of the first lawyers in the United States to file lawsuits against perpetrators of child sexual abuse and to fight hard for the rights of survivors to sue for their damages.

As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Shari understands the healing journey and is compassionate, energetic and hopeful with her clients. Because of Shari's efforts, thousands of survivors of childhood sexual abuse have gotten justice for what happened to them as a child. 

Working tirelessly, she helped get the statute of limitations extended in California in 1991, opening the door for survivors of child sexual abuse to use civil litigation to seek justice. This began a movement across the United States to expand statutes of limitations against predators and the institutions, leaders and family that cover it up.  

Sexual abuse is aided and abetted by secrecy and Shari has dedicated her career to breaking silence. Her life and work was the subject of a television movie, Shattered Trust: The Shari Karney Story. She has been featured on Oprah, ABC Primetime, CNN, HLN, TrueTV, Bravo, ABC, CBS. Articles about her work have appeared in the New York Times Sunday Magazine Section, Glamour Magazine and other publications. She is the author of Prey No Longer, A Step-by-Step Guide for Survivors of Sexual Abuse.

Her efforts go beyond the courtroom where she is a motivational speaker and victims' advocate. Her goal: education, prevention and protection of our children. Justice and healing for survivors.