John C. Manly

Education

• University of Southern California, B.A.,1986
• Pepperdine University School of Law, J.D., 1990

Practice Areas

Litigation of civil actions involving childhood sexual abuse, sexual harassment and electronic harassment; Marsy’s Law representation of crime victims; legislative advocacy for the protection of children and vulnerable adults. Sexual abuse cases include sexual bullying, clergy abuse, abuse in school, and many more.

Bar Admissions

• State Bar of California
• State Bar of Alaska
• State Bar of Arizona
• State Bar of New York
• U.S. District Court, Central and Eastern Districts of California

Professional Biography

Named one of California’s “Top 100 Attorneys” and one of California’s top 30 Plaintiff Lawyers by the Los Angeles Daily Journal, and Orange County’s most “Buzzworthy” attorney by Orange Coast Magazine, John C. Manly is California’s preeminent sexual abuse attorney in New York. Over the past decade, John and his legal team have been heavily involved in the most significant sexual abuse actions litigated across the nation, assisting in the recovery of more than a billion dollars—through trial and settlement—on behalf sexual abuse victims. Additionally, Manly, Stewart & Finaldi’s litigation has effectuated significant non-monetary changes to the policies and procedures of youth and charitable organizations, helping to keep kids safe.

Mr. Manly took on his first sexual abuse case in 1997. The case involved a young man victimized by his priest/high school principal. After 5 years of litigation, leaving no stone unturned, Mr. Manly was able to achieve a 5.2 million dollar settlement in the action—still the largest single-victim pre-trial settlement in history for the type of abuse suffered. Since that time, Mr. Manly has devoted his time to assemble a powerful team of attorneys who specialize in litigating sexual abuse civil cases on behalf of children and vulnerable adults, firmly establishing Manly, Stewart & Finaldi as the nation’s preeminent law firm in the field. Manly, Stewart & Finaldi specializes in litigation of molestation, sexual harassment and exploitation actions in religious, employment, educational, familial and other settings. View our firm news page for more information.

Mr. Manly’s work was predominantly featured in the 2005 documentary “Deliver Us From Evil,” which centered around the civil prosecution of notorious predator priest Oliver O’Grady and the church officials who protected him. His exploits in this arena have garnered substantial national media attention, cementing his reputation as one of the nation’s leading authorities in the arena of sexual abuse litigation.

Published Decisions

C.A. v. William S. Hart Union High School Dist., (2012) 53 Cal.4th 861—This landmark precedent-setting California Supreme Court decision sets the scope of a California public entity’s liability for the sexually abusive acts of its agents. Mr. Manly represented a minor who sued his high school district and guidance counselor for damages arising out of sexual harassment and abuse by the counselor. The District demurred, contending that it could not be held liable for the negligence or supervisory failures of administrative personnel who knew or should have known, of the counselor’s activities. After the trial and appellate courts agreed with the Defendant’s position, Manly, Stewart & Finaldi fought this case to the California Supreme Court and prevailed. The Supreme Court issued a published decision holding the minor’s claim against the public entity, for negligently hiring, retaining and supervising the perpetrator, was legally viable.

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Notable Cases

Mr. Manly has assisted in the recovery of more than a billion dollars on behalf of his clients. Here is a small representative sample of his trial experience:

• John ZB Doe, et al. v. Los Angeles Unified School District, et al., (“De La Torre Cases”) (2016) Los Angeles Superior Court– $58,000.00 global settlement of 18-victim child sexual abuse action that included infliction of emotional distress awards for 19 parent plaintiffs of the victims. The victims were sexually fondled by Robert Pimental, their teacher at George De La Torre Elementary School, in the Los Angeles Unified School District, over the course of several years.
• John KV Doe, et al. v. Los Angeles Unified School District, et al., (“Telfair Cases”) (2016) Los Angeles Superior Court– $23,805,000.00 global settlement of 10-victim child sexual abuse action. The victims were sexually assaulted by notorious teacher Paul Chapel III at Tel Fair Elementary School in the Los Angeles Unified School District. This is believed to be the largest per-victim documented settlement of a child sexual abuse action against a public entity.
• John TDC Doe, et al. v. Los Angeles Unified School District, et al., (2015) Los Angeles Superior Court– $6,195,900.00 jury verdict in a 2-victim child sexual abuse action after a four-week trial. The victims were sexually fondled by Paul Chapel III, their teacher at Tel Fair Elementary School, in the Los Angeles Unified School District, over the course of several years.
• A.M., et al. v. Los Angeles Unified School District, et al., (“Miramonte Cases”) (2014) Los Angeles Superior Court– $139,500,000.00 global settlement of 81-victim child sexual abuse action that included infliction of emotional distress awards for 131 parents of the victims. The victims were sexually assaulted by notorious teacher Mark Berndt at Miramonte Elementary School in the Los Angeles Unified School District. This is believed to be the largest documented settlement of a child sexual abuse action against a public entity.
• John JS Doe v. Roman Catholic Bishop of Stockton, et al., (2013) San Joaquin County Superior Court– Consummation of$1,750,000.00 settlement of child sexual abuse action, at the precipice of trial, in a case involving the sexual abuse of a young boy by notorious Bay Area Roman Catholic priest Reverend Oliver O’Grady, by successfully arguing threats by the perpetrator tolled the statute of limitations on his claim.
• John MG, PH, DM, AE Does v. Roman Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles, et al., (2013) Los Angeles Superior Court–$9,990,000.00 global settlement of four child sexual abuse actions, at the precipice of trial, in cases involving sexual abuse by notorious Los Angeles Roman Catholic priest Father Michael Baker.
• Diana C. v. Lodi Unified School District, et al., (2013) San Joaquin County Superior Court– Jury verdict of 90% liability against a public school district, after the four-week first phase of the trial, in a case involving the sexual molestation of a mentally disabled child by her school bus driver. $4,750,000.00 settlement achieved during the second phase of the trial.
• John TZ Doe v. Roman Catholic Bishop of Stockton, et al., (2012) San Joaquin County Superior Court– Unanimous jury verdict on all counts against Defendant Father Michael Kelly, and $3,750,000.00 settlement against Diocese of Stockton, after 10-week trial in a case where the Plaintiff alleged, after recovering his 25-year-old repressed memories, he was sexually abused by Fr. Kelly as a child.
• John VG Doe v. Roman Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles, et al., (2011) Los Angeles County Superior Court– Consummation of $1,500,000.00 settlement on behalf of victim of child sexual abuse at the hands of Father Fernando Lopez-Lopez, an extern priest serving in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles by way of Tivoli, Italy.
• In Re: Delaware Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases, (2011) Delaware Superior Court and U.S. Bankruptcy Court– Participation in, and consummation of $109,000,000.00 (approx.) global settlement of over 145 claims on behalf of victims of sexual abuse in the State of Delaware, involving the Diocese of Wilmington, the Brothers of the Holy Cross, and the Capuchin Friars.
• Doe v. Doe, (2010) Orange County Superior Court; Doe v. Doe, (2010) Los Angeles County Superior Court– Consummation of $2,200,000.00 settlement on behalf of victim alleging childhood sexual abuse at the hands of notorious priest of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles—Father Michael Stephen Baker—on the eve of trial.
• 110 Separate Actions Against the Society of Jesus, Oregon Province, (2007, 2011) Various Superior Courts in the State of Alaska and U.S. Bankruptcy Court– Consummation of $216,000,000.00 global settlement of 110 separate sexual abuse claims against the Society of Jesus, Oregon Province.
• Jane CR Doe v. Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, et al.; Jane ALS Doe v. Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, et al.; Jane KE Doe v. Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, et al.; Jane A. Doe v. Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, et al., (2007) Orange County Superior Court– Consummation of $6,685,000.00 global settlement of four high-profile cases involving the sexual abuse of students at Roman Catholic high schools and parishes in the County of Orange, during the third week of trial in the Jane C.R. Doe matter.
• In Re: The Clergy Cases II (JCCP No.: 4297), (2007) San Diego Superior Court– Participation in, and consummation of$198,100,000.00 global settlement of 144 sexual abuse claims during the sixth month of Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding. The Diocese had filed for Chapter 11 protection just days prior to Manly, Stewart & Finaldi commencing trial in the John B. v. John Doe 1, et al. matter.
• In Re: The Clergy Cases I (JCCP No.: 4286), (2007) Los Angeles Superior Court– Participation in, and consummation of$660,000,000.00 global settlement of 508 sexual abuse claims just days prior to Manly, Stewart & Finaldi commencing trial in the John Doe v. Roman Catholic Bishop of Los Angeles, et al. matter.
• In Re: The Clergy Cases I (JCCP No.: 4286), (2004) Orange County Superior Court– Participation in, and consummation of$100,000,000.00 global settlement of 87 sexual abuse claims filed on behalf of individuals sexually assaulted by priests and agents of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, California.
• Ryan DiMaria v. Roman Catholic Bishop of Orange, et al., (1997) Orange County Superior Court– $5,200,000.00 settlement on behalf of Plaintiff who alleged sexual abuse at the hands of a Mater Dei High School Principal and Roman Catholic priest Father Michael Harris.

Personal Biography

Born in San Mateo and raised in Southern California, in 1986, John obtained a Bachelor’s degree in international relations and a certificate in defense and strategic studies from the University of Southern California. In 1990, John received his J.D.from Pepperdine University Law School, and thereafter served as a law clerk to the General Counsel of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in Washington, D.C. John also served 10 years in the United States military, as a U.S. Navy intelligence officer. A member of the California, Arizona, New York, and Alaska Bar Associations, John is admitted to practice in numerous federal district courts.