Dedication Meets an Open Mind, with Adam Slater of Slater Slater Schulman

Adam Slater is a tenacious legal advocate who never backs down. The level of loyalty and commitment he extends to his clients is, in and of itself, a game changer. Slater is interested in successful resolutions that echo far beyond the reaches of the courtrooms they’re won in – he believes in leaving things better than he found them.

A New Yorker, through and through, Slater’s first clients were survivors of the 9/11 terror attacks, so victory was non-negotiable. His hard-fought win carried with it a heft and poignance that would ultimately shape Slater’s legal trajectory. The litigator went on to focus his career solely on high-impact cases that do more than simply help individuals – cases that can reconstruct the very fabric of institutions for the benefit of those who come after.

Slater is a force to be reckoned with and his leading track record of results can attest to that. Slater garnered a $2.46B settlement on behalf of Boy Scouts of America clients, the largest sexual abuse settlement in U.S. history. In 2021, Slater secured a $71.5M settlement on behalf of 79 former patients who suffered sexual assault at the hands of predatory gynecologist Robert Hadden.

Driven by a deep desire to help survivors who have suffered injustice due to negligence, Slater gives voice to the voiceless. His recent work focusses on complex, historical sexual abuse matters involving religious, medical and educational institutions.

“I have an unwavering dedication to clients and open-minded adaptability,” says Slater. “I take great pride in being able to be nimble as a litigator and approach each case with a fresh perspective.”

Slater has overseen his firm's filing of approximately 1,800 cases under the New York State’s Adult Survivors Act, as well as 8,400 Child Victims Act cases, nationally. The powerhouse litigator is truly breaking records as he works to break the cycles of violence and abuse.

Lawdragon: Tell us a little bit about Slater Slater Schulman and the work you do at the firm.

Adam Slater: Sure. Slater Slater Schulman is dedicated to representing survivors of traumatic or catastrophic events. The firm is full-service, and our renowned attorneys bring an incredible amount of experience to the table. The firm is known for getting results. We’ve achieved successful resolutions on some of the most challenging cases in our industry – 9/11 World Trade Center litigation, Child Victims Act, mass torts, environmental litigation, employment and labor law, pharmaceutical drug litigation, product liability litigation, medical malpractice and personal injury.

LD: What keeps you excited about the work you do?

AS: What energizes me about this work is the human element. Every client we represent is more than just a case – we are representing dedicated workers, first responders, parents, and teachers, each with a unique story of adversity. My firm pairs a trauma-informed approach with expert legal counsel. There's profound satisfaction in knowing that our work not only navigates complex legal waters, but also honors the deeply personal nature of each client's journey. It's this blend of expert counsel, empathy and advocacy that makes every day in this profession meaningful and impactful.

LD: Can you describe a recent matter that you’ve handled?

AS: In 2023, Slater Slater Schulman filed approximately 1,800 cases under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, the highest of any law firm. In addition to the 1,218 cases filed against New York State for alleged abuse in State prisons, 479 cases were filed against the City of New York alleging abuse at Rikers Island, and 74 cases were filed alleging abuse in county-run jails.

There's profound satisfaction in knowing that our work not only navigates complex legal waters, but also honors the deeply personal nature of each client's journey.

LD: What were the key challenges of successfully representing those clients?

AS: The primary challenge in this matter was effectively communicating the opportunity presented by the Adult Survivors Act (ASA) lookback window to potential clients. When you’ve experienced the trauma that these survivors have endured, taking on the very institutions that harbored their abusers can feel daunting – almost impossible. As their attorney, it’s my job to make sure they know that they have the right to hold these institutions accountable, and they won’t be fighting alone.

LD: Is there a specific lesson to be gleaned from this work?

AS: The lesson that I hope that everyone takes away from this work is that people who are incarcerated cannot legally consent to sex. The detainee-guard relationship is one of the most severe power imbalances that exists today. That is why I call my clients the forgotten victims of the #MeToo movement. Incarcerated people are dependent upon correctional staff for everything – their safety, privileges, quality of life, contact with the outside world, and even their eventual liberty. Many of my clients are risking everything by stepping forward to share their harrowing experiences while in the custody of notorious state and federal prisons.

LD: What advice do you have now for current law school students?

AS: My advice to law students is simple, yet crucial: Don’t wait to get real-world experience. Textbooks can teach you theory, but only hands-on experience can truly prepare you for the rigors and unpredictability of legal practice. Getting this experience when I was in law school was invaluable to both my personal & professional development. The best lawyers aren't just well-versed in law; they're adept at applying it in real-world situations. Start building that skill now, and you'll be way ahead when you begin your career.

LD: Was there an early experience or mentor who really helped shape the course of your professional life?

AS: As a native New Yorker, some of my first clients were survivors of the 9/11 terror attacks. This experience was so eye-opening that it set me on a course in my career to focus on high-impact cases. The cases that I’m most drawn to are ones that not only help individuals, but transform organizations and institutions for the better for future generations.

LD: How would you describe your style as a lawyer?

AS: If I were to define my style as a lawyer, I’d say it’s rooted in unwavering dedication to clients and open-minded adaptability. These may seem diametrically opposed, but both are essential to ensuring successful outcomes. I take great pride in being able to be nimble as a litigator and approach each case with a fresh perspective. I take pride in my ability to meet clients where they are.

LD: In the years since you opened the firm, how has the management changed?

AS: The transformation of our firm has been profound, evolving from a small team handling personal injury and malpractice cases to a nationwide firm with 75 attorneys across 11 offices. Our practice areas have expanded dramatically, now focusing significantly on institutional sexual assault cases, while our case volume has grown exponentially. This growth has necessitated major changes in our management approach. Despite these changes, our core mission remains unwavering: to be relentless advocates for our clients, now with greater resources and reach to fight for justice on a larger scale.

LD: Tell us a bit about your pro bono or public interest activities.

AS: My firm is committed to advocating for and safeguarding the legal rights of victims affected by traumatic and catastrophic events in their lives. Our pro bono efforts are evident through the numerous unpaid hours we’ve dedicated to researching laws, championing legislative changes at the federal and state level, and supporting sexual assault victims. In addition, I actively support non-profit organizations such as Safe Horizon, New Horizon Crisis Center and Nassau Suffolk Law Services.