For fifteen years I’ve worked as an attorney representing survivors of sexual misconduct, cyber-sex crimes, and harassment.
And 5 years ago, I took the leap to start my own law firm.
I knew I wanted to build a practice that reflected who I am and the kind of lawyer I wanted to be.
My area of expertise, supporting victims of sexual misconduct, domestic abuse, and cyber harassment, isn’t an area of law that many attorneys practice.
But there is nothing I would rather do than help people whose experiences don’t fit neatly into traditional legal categories.
Since opening Lindsay Lieberman Law and Consulting in 2021, there have been a number of both challenges and wins. Let’s look at some of the key takeaways together.
5 lessons I’ve learned from supporting survivors as a sexual misconduct and cyber harassment attorney
My work is dedicated to representing survivors of domestic violence and technology-facilitated harm, focused on what happens at the intersection of law, technology, and trauma.
Here’s what the past 5 years have taught me.
Lesson #1: You have options
Clients come to me after being subjected to things like image-based abuse, online harassment, coercive control, digital stalking, and other forms of technology-facilitated abuse.
I have one main goal when meeting with a client for the first time:
Help them understand what their options are.
Whether or not you choose to file criminal charges, seek a protection order, or file a lawsuit, I’m here to help you understand different paths you can take so that you make an informed decision that’s right for you.
Many of my clients feel helpless, isolated, ashamed, and alone when they first come to me. There’s so much power in recognizing that you have control over how you choose to move forward.
Lesson #2: Specialization is a strength
My law firm and services are highly focused and specialized.
This specialization is my greatest strength.
Being focused on a very specific need and area of law allows me to safely, confidently guide my clients through some of the most overwhelming moments of their lives.
My clients deserve legal representation that’s grounded in experience, strategy, and compassion.
Lesson #3: Prevention is critical
The more I do this work, the more convinced I become that education and prevention are just as important as legal advocacy.
If we can recognize abuse earlier and respond more effectively, we can help prevent harm before it escalates.
Because of the power of prevention, I’ve put time and energy into training attorneys, schools, parents, law enforcement, faith communities, and organizations across the country.
I teach others how to:
- Avoid online predators
- Choose what to share (and not share) online
- Learn from the cases I’ve prosecuted
- Analyze information to make smarter decisions
- Recognize the red flags of “revenge porn” and sextortion, understanding that digital abuse is a crime
- Put strong preventative measures in place
Lesson #4: It’s more than a legal problem
My clients don’t come to me with a simple, straightforward legal case.
I meet them when their lives have been turned upside down. They have often been betrayed or harmed by someone they trusted.
The trauma-informed emotional support I provide is just as important as my legal knowledge and expertise.
Lesson #5: It takes a community
I’m incredibly proud of the firm I’ve built and the work I’ve done over the past 5 years.
But I haven’t done it alone.
I’m grateful to every client who trusted me during one of the hardest chapters of their lives.
I’m thankful for the colleagues who have referred cases, collaborated with me, challenged me, and supported this practice.
And I am so appreciative of my family and friends who have believed in me.
It’s because of the support of my clients, my colleagues, and my loved ones that I’ve been able to show up and do this important work for the past 5 years and will continue to do this work into the future.
What do the next 5 years as a sexual misconduct and cyber harassment attorney look like?
Technology is at the forefront of the cases I prosecute and the survivors I support.
As we move forward, I’m specifically focused on preventing and protecting victims of technology-powered harm including:
- AI and deepfakes
- Nonconsensual intimate image dissemination
- Romance scams
- Sextortion
- GPS tracking and spyware
- Digital coercive control
- AI and children’s online safety in school
Technology has evolved at a rapid pace that unfortunately outpaces the legal system.
As the law catches up with the realities of AI, online abuse, and digital harm, I will continue to speak up and speak out.
I specialize in the intersection of technology and trauma. My job is to advocate for better laws, empower victims, and do everything I can to help my clients regain control.
You can help prevent abuse and harassment
Prevention is just as important as litigation.
Don’t be afraid to speak openly about the realities and dangers of technology. Educate your children. Train your employees. Hold your friends and family accountable.
Everyone deserves safety and privacy.
Together, we can make the future safer.
If you’re interested in bringing in a legal expert to consult or train your group, school, community, or organization, you can click here to see how I can help.
