Vince William Finaldi

Member

vfinaldi@manlystewart.com

(t) 949-252-9990
(f) 949-252-9991

Education

University of California, Berkeley, B.A., 2002; University of California at Los Angeles School of Law, J.D., 2005.

Practice Areas

Litigation of civil actions involving childhood sexual abuse, sexual harassment and electronic harassment; Marsy's Law representation of victims in criminal proceedings; advocacy for changes to legislation for the protection of children and vulnerable adults.

Bar Admissions

State Bar of California

U.S. District Court, Central and Eastern Districts of California

Professional Biography

Vince Finaldi's practice is concentrated on litigation of civil actions involving sexual harassment, exploitation, molestation and abuse in educational, familial, recreational, employment, religious and other settings.

A Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ rated litigator, ranked at the highest level of professional excellence, Mr. Finaldi has successfully litigated multiple significant national media-garnering claims against large religious entities, municipalities and Fortune 500 companies, at the trial, appellate and Supreme Court levels, helping to define the liability and duties of these entities with respect to abuse claims.

His practice extends beyond litigation to Marsy's Law representation of victim-witnesses in criminal proceedings, consultation on sexual abuse matters throughout the U.S. and Europe, participation in community outreach and training, and advocacy for changes to legislation for the protection of children and vulnerable adults. Mr. Finaldi has been a featured legal commentator on sexual abuse issues in television, radio and print media, including in-depth investigative reports by Brian Ross of ABC's 20/20 and HDNet's Dan Rather Reports.

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. Finaldi 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 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.

Notable Cases

Mr. Finaldi has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of his clients. Here is a representative sample of his trial and arbitration experience:

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. http://www.hd.net/blogs/coming-up-on-tuesday-june-21/

John MR Doe v. Army Navy Academy, Carlsbad, California, et al., (2011) San Diego County Superior Court– Consummation of $650,000.00 settlement on behalf of former cadet of the Army and Navy Academy of Carlsbad, California, who alleged severe sexual hazing and abuse at the hands of peer cadets at the military boarding school.

Jane RO Doe v. William Marcelino Vargas, (2011) San Diego County Superior Court– Consummation of $271,650.00 settlement on behalf of female alleging sexual assault at the hands of a massage therapist, while receiving massage at the Grand Pacific Palisades Spa and Resort, in Carlsbad, California.

John AT Doe v. City of Los Angeles Fire Department, et al., (2011) U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Los Angeles District Office– Consummation of $494,150.00 conciliation between client firefighter and City of Los Angeles Fire Department, in case alleging discrimination on basis of sex and religious status. The agreement mandates implementation of non-monetary changes to the policies and procedures of the fire department to protect against such further harassment and abuse against members of the fire department.

Jane MB Doe v. William Ross Maynard, (2010) Orange County Superior Court– Major confidential settlement of familial childhood sexual abuse action.

John WC Doe v. Army and Navy Academy of Carlsbad, et al., (2010) San Diego County Superior Court– Major confidential settlement on behalf of former cadet of the Army and Navy Academy of Carlsbad, California, who alleged severe sexual hazing and abuse at the hands of peer cadets at the military boarding school.

Ann Brennan v. Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, et al., (2010) American Arbitration Association County Superior Court; Doe v. Doe, Orange County Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Service– Consummation of major confidential settlement of arbitration matter on behalf of employee alleging sexual harassment and sexual orientation discrimination at hands of Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse store manager.

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.

Doe v. Doe, (2009) Orange County Superior Court– Consummation of confidential settlement in childhood sexual abuse action in the employment setting.

John AJ Doe v. Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, et al., (2009, 2010) Orange County Superior Court– Consummation of major confidential settlement against three parties on the eve of trial, and $100,000.00 settlement against entities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints during appeal, in claim of individual alleging childhood sexual abuse at the hands of an elder in the Mormon Church.

Doe v. Doe 1, et al., (2008) Orange County, California– Consummation of major pre-filing confidential settlement on behalf of employee alleging sexual harassment and abuse and wrongful termination at hands of supervisor.

Doe v. Doe 1, et al., (2008) Orange County Superior Court; Doe v. Doe, Orange County Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Service– Consummation of major confidential settlement of related superior court and arbitration matters on behalf of employee alleging sexual harassment and abuse and wrongful termination at hands of supervisor.

110 Separate Actions Against the Society of Jesus, Oregon Province, (2007) Various Superior Courts in the State of Alaska– Consummation of $50,000,000.00 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 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 commencing trial in the John Doe v. Roman Catholic Bishop of Los Angeles, et al. matter.

John PJ Doe v. Doe 1, et al., (2006) Alameda Superior Court– $700,000.00 settlement, during fourth week of trial, on behalf of Plaintiff who alleged sexual abuse at the hands of a lay teacher at Roman Catholic High School in late 1970's.

Personal Biography

After completing high school, Mr. Finaldi served four years as an Infantryman in the U.S. Marine Corps, earning numerous decorations and a meritorious promotion before his honorable discharge in 1997. He went on to complete an internship with Georgetown University Law Center's Criminal Justice Clinic and his undergraduate education at U.C. Berkeley, graduating magna cum laude with a B.A. in Legal Studies in 2002. Mr. Finaldi completed his legal education at the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law, where he served as an Editor for the Journal of Environmental Law and Policy, participated in joint study courses with the Georgetown University Law Center and University College of London, and worked as a legal clerk for Manly & McGuire (presently Manly & Stewart), earning his J.D. in 2005.

Mr. Finaldi is admitted to the State Bar of California, the United States Federal District Courts Eastern and Central, and is a member of the Orange County Bar Association.