In 2011 Tamaki Law helped secure the largest settlement with a religious order in history: $166.7 million. The Society of Jesus, Oregon Province (also known as the Northwest Jesuits), a religious order within the Catholic Church, agreed to pay $166.7 million to more than 500 victims for sexual abuse committed by Jesuits in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Tamaki Law served as co-lead counsel in this case, which began with 21 clients filing lawsuits in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Washington, and resulted in approximately 500 abuse survivors filing claims after the Jesuits filed for bankruptcy protection.
As part of the settlement, Tamaki Law insisted that the Jesuits issue written apologies to all of the victims, and post a list of credibly accused priests on the Jesuits’ website, as part of the many non-monetary conditions of the settlement.
After the case concluded, T.B., a Tamaki Law client who lived for decades trying to bury the horrific memories of her childhood abuse, but who courageously came forward to tell her story in the case against the Jesuits, said “I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. Thank you for helping me through this case, and bringing peace to my life.”
Tamaki Law firmly believes that by holding institutions accountable for allowing children to be abused, children will be safer in the future.