Confidential Portland Oregon Sexual Abuse Representation
The Archdiocese of Portland was the first U.S. diocese to file Chapter 11 over clergy abuse (2004). Under Oregon’s discovery-rule statute (ORS 12.117), adult survivors can still file civil claims decades after the abuse.Free, confidential consultation. Available 24/7. Pay nothing unless we win. Call (971) 339-8080
Justice for Survivors of Clergy Abuse in Portland
Coming forward is hard. We know that. At Goldberg & Loren, our Portland clergy sexual abuse attorneys represent adult survivors of abuse by priests, ministers, youth pastors, religious teachers, and members of religious orders. It does not matter whether the abuse happened last year or 40 years ago.
The 2007 reorganization that followed approved a $75 million settlement covering approximately 177 abuse claims, opening the door for hundreds of Oregon survivors to come forward. Since then, more than 40 U.S. dioceses have filed similar reorganizations, and Oregon has built one of the most survivor-friendly civil-litigation frameworks in the country.
Oregon law (ORS 12.117) is one of the most survivor-friendly statutes in the United States. An adult survivor of child sexual abuse may file a civil claim before age 40, or within 5 years of discovering the causal connection between the abuse and a resulting injury, whichever period is longer. For many survivors, this means filing decades after the abuse occurred.We pursue civil cases against dioceses, religious orders, private schools, youth organizations, and any institution whose negligence enabled the abuse. Our role is not to force you to relive what happened. It is to do the legal work so you can focus on healing.
Who We Represent
- Adult survivors of childhood clergy abuse in the Catholic Church, Mormon Church (LDS), Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Protestant denominations
- Survivors of abuse at religious schools, seminaries, and parochial youth programs
- Survivors abused by youth pastors, religious counselors, or members of religious orders
- Adult survivors abused by clergy in confessionals, retreats, or pastoral counseling
- Family members of survivors who have passed away (wrongful death and survival claims)
Distinguished Rating · 2025 Martindale-Hubbell®
Client Champion Gold · 2025
Why Oregon Is One of the Best States for Survivors to Seek Justice
Most states still cap how long survivors have to file a civil suit. Oregon does not. The legal landscape here is unusually favorable to survivors, and Portland sits at the center of it.
- Discovery-rule SOL: No fixed deadline for survivors who recently connected their adult symptoms to childhood abuse.
- Institutional liability: Dioceses, religious orders, and schools can be held accountable for cover-ups and negligent supervision.
- Punitive damages: Oregon courts allow punitive damages where institutions knowingly concealed abuse or moved offenders.
- Pseudonymous filing: Courts routinely allow survivors to file as John Doe or Jane Doe to protect privacy.
Meet Your Portland Trial Attorneys
Survivor cases are not handled by associates or paralegals. You work directly with Goldberg & Loren’s senior trial attorneys, two of the most experienced injury lawyers in Oregon.
George GoldbergSenior Partner · Oregon State Bar
With more than 32 years of courtroom experience, George Goldberg has secured multi-million dollar verdicts for survivors and injury victims across Oregon. He is known as an aggressive trial advocate who takes institutions to court when they refuse to do the right thing.
- 32+ years trial experience (practicing since 1994)
- Multiple seven- and eight-figure recoveries
- J.D., University of Miami School of Law, magna cum laude
Read George Goldberg's full bio →
James LorenSenior Partner · Oregon State Bar
James Loren has dedicated his career to advocating for victims of abuse, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death. He combines deep legal expertise with a survivor-centered approach. Clients describe him as the lawyer who actually listens.
- 32+ years of trial practice (practicing since 1995)
- Top 100 Trial Lawyer, National Trial Lawyers
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum member
Table of Contents
What Happens When You Contact Us
We have walked survivors through this process for three decades. There is no pressure, no cost, and no obligation to move forward.
- Confidential call: Speak with an attorney privately. Share only what you are comfortable sharing. Everything is protected.
- Free case evaluation: We review the facts, identify the responsible institution, and explain your legal options under Oregon law.
- We build the case: Our team investigates personnel records, prior complaints, and institutional cover-ups. You do not have to.
- We pursue recovery: We negotiate aggressively, and if the institution refuses to settle fairly, we take them to trial.
Compensation Available to Clergy Abuse Survivors
A civil lawsuit is not just about money. For many survivors, it is about accountability and the closure that comes from forcing an institution to acknowledge what happened. Civil claims may include:
- Therapy and mental-health treatment (past and future)
- Medical expenses related to abuse-caused conditions
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering, PTSD, and emotional distress damages
- Loss of consortium for affected family relationships
- Punitive damages where the institution knowingly concealed abuse
Oregon settlements in clergy abuse cases have historically ranged from six figures into the multi-millions. The 2007 Archdiocese of Portland reorganization plan, for example, approved a $75 million settlement covering approximately 177 abuse claims. Each case is different. The value depends on the severity of harm, available evidence of institutional cover-up, and whether the case is resolved in negotiation or at trial.
Local to Portland, Statewide Reach
We represent survivors across Oregon, including from our Portland office:
- Portland (Multnomah County)
- Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview
- Vancouver, WA metro area
- Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard
- Salem, Eugene, Bend
- All surrounding Oregon communities
Cases can be handled remotely. You do not need to come to our office to start. Request a confidential case review →
Frequently Asked Questions
Under Oregon’s discovery-rule statute (ORS 12.117), an adult survivor of child sexual abuse may file a civil claim before age 40, or within 5 years of discovering the causal connection between the abuse and an injury, whichever is longer. In practice, this allows many survivors to file decades after the abuse occurred. It is one of the most survivor-friendly civil statutes in the country.
Yes. The 2007 Archdiocese of Portland reorganization approved a $75 million settlement covering approximately 177 abuse claims, and Oregon survivors may still pursue civil claims today against dioceses, religious orders, schools, and individual abusers through state court.
Goldberg & Loren handles every clergy sexual abuse case on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing up front. Our attorneys are only paid if we recover compensation for you. Initial consultations are always free and fully confidential.
Yes. Survivors may file under a pseudonym (John Doe or Jane Doe) where the court allows. All communications with our firm are protected by attorney-client privilege. We never share your identity, your story, or your case details without your written permission.
You do not need photos, recordings, or written records. Survivors’ testimony, patterns of institutional cover-up, prior victims’ reports, and diocesan personnel files often form the backbone of these cases. Our team investigates and builds the evidence record. You do not have to do that alone.
Recovery varies by case. Damages may include therapy and medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, PTSD, and punitive damages where an institution knowingly concealed abuse. As a reference point, the 2007 Archdiocese of Portland reorganization approved a $75 million settlement covering approximately 177 abuse claims. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any individual case.
Often, no. ORS 12.117 allows survivors to file before age 40, or within 5 years of discovering the causal link between the abuse and an injury, whichever is longer. Many survivors first connect their adult symptoms, such as PTSD, depression, or substance use, to the childhood abuse decades after it happened, and they remain within the statute. We can review your specific timeline at no cost.
You can still file a civil claim. Liability often rests with the institution that supervised the abuser, including the diocese, religious order, or school. Even when the individual abuser has passed away, institutional defendants remain accountable under Oregon law.
You Deserve to Be Heard. We Are Ready to Listen.
Reach out when you are ready. Whether you want answers, accountability, or simply someone who understands what you have been carrying, we are here. Free, confidential, and always on your terms.
