At JLC, we represent survivors of trafficking, sexual exploitation, forced labor, coercive control, and institutional abuse in Massachusetts and nationwide. These cases most often involve religious organizations, residential programs, workplaces, and other environments where survivors were controlled through grooming, dependency, isolation, spiritual authority, financial pressure, or psychological coercion.

 

Our practice is intentionally trauma-informed. We have a licensed social worker on staff who works alongside our attorneys, helping support clients throughout the litigation process and shaping how we approach interviewing, client communication, and overall case development. We also maintain a firm-wide commitment to ongoing trauma-informed training so that every attorney and staff member practices in a way that reflects an understanding of trauma and coercive control.

 

We have designed our office environment with survivors in mind. Our space in North Easton is intentionally calm and welcoming, and we also have dogs in the office, which many clients find grounding during what can be an extremely difficult and emotional process. These small but intentional choices reflect our broader belief that legal representation in these cases should feel human, safe, and supportive – not clinical or intimidating.

 

In addition to litigation, our team advocates for legal and policy reforms involving statutes of limitation, institutional accountability, and expanded civil remedies for survivors of trafficking and exploitation. Members of our team regularly speak at national and even international conferences on trauma-informed legal practice, coercive control, and institutional abuse, and we conduct ongoing in-house trainings to ensure our approach remains consistent and survivor-centered.

 

At JLC, we understand that these cases are deeply complex and often involve years, sometimes decades, of manipulation and harm. Our approach focuses on careful listening, trauma-informed advocacy, and a commitment to holding powerful individuals and institutions accountable for exploitation and abuse suffered by our clients.