Deborah S. Mallgrave

Deborah Mallgrave, California sexual abuse attorney and chair of the firm’s Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking Litigation practice, concentrates her practice on complex litigation matters and advocating for survivors of sexual abuse and sexual assault. Her extensive litigation experience includes representing both plaintiffs and defendants in high stakes situations, ranging from multi-million dollar business disputes, fraud schemes, and class actions. Ms. Mallgrave has also spent her career working with individuals injured from sexual abuse and trafficking situations.

Ms. Mallgrave is lead counsel in a high-profile human trafficking and civil RICO case against the global religious institution La Luz Del Mundo for sexual assault, forced labor, and other criminal acts. The case has garnered national and international public attention. Ms. Mallgrave also represents other survivors of sexual assault in claims against individuals and institutions, including religious institutions and public and private schools.

Representative Matters for Social Justice

• Lead counsel for human trafficking and sexual assault survivor in litigation against the global religious institution La Luz Del Mundo for civil RICO and other criminal acts.
• Lead counsel for multiple survivors of sexual assault against various individuals and entities, including schools and religious institutions.
• Co-Counsel in lawsuit against City and County of San Francisco to end dangerous and illegal conditions in the Tenderloin Neighborhood and provide safe shelter to unhoused people

Awards & Recognition

• Best Lawyer, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs (2022)
• Top Women Lawyers, Daily Journal (2020 – 2022)
• California Trialblazer, The Recorder (2020)
• Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Service, State Bar of California (2006, 2009-2015)
• Attorney of the Year, Public Law Center (2009)

Professional & Community Activities

• Public Law Center
  • Board of Directors (2013-2015, 2022)
  • Executive Board of Directors (2016 – 2021)
    • President (2020)
    • Vice President (2019)
    • Secretary/Treasurer (2018)
• Federal Bar Association, OC Chapter, Board of Directors (2013-2019)
• The National Crime Victim Bar Association
• State Bar of California
• Orange County Bar Association
• Association of Business Trial Lawyers