This is the second of our two-part series about the physical and sexual abuse reported by kids housed at Miracle Meadows School, a residential treatment center located in West Virginia. Shaunestte interviews attorneys Brian Kent and Guy D’Andrea, who along with their co-counsel, represented twenty-nine former students in civil litigation against school administrators and faculty. Brian and Guy talk about the complex nature of sexual abuse litigation and the important role their trauma-informed training played in helping them connect with these survivors while also respecting their mental health needs. Brian and Guy share how teamwork between co-counsel and the survivors led to an impressive $51.9 million settlement.

Brian Kent is a founding partner at the law firm of Laffey, Bucci & Kent, LLP based in Philadelphia with offices in New Jersey, New York, and Delaware. Brian was a sex crimes unit prosecutor with the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office where he worked to ensure the safety of abused children. He handled 100’s of sexual assault and child sex abuse cases from inception and investigation through trial. He also tried and convicted some of Montgomery County’s most dangerous sex offenders.

In his current practice, Brian represents sexual assault survivors in a variety of litigation that has garnered extensive local and national media attention. Specifically, he has represented numerous women who reported they were sexually assaulted at Massage Envy facilities.

Guy D’Andrea is an experienced high-profile criminal and civil trial lawyer who has litigated more than 100 jury trials and hundreds of bench trials. He is a former Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia. During his tenure as a prosecutor, he tried over 500 cases.

In his current practice, Guy regularly handles cases nationally involving sexual and physical assaults in institutional settings including boarding schools, residential treatment facilities, hospitals, universities, sports organizations, day care centers, and schools.

Host- Shaunestte Terrell

Guests- Brian Kent & Guy D'Andrea