CLERGY ABUSE ATTORNEY SERVICES

The advantage of an experienced attorney.

The compassion of a fellow clergy abuse survivor.

The decision to come forward with a suit involving sexual abuse by a member of the Catholic Church is not only a step toward justice, but also toward healing. I know this firsthand. I am a veteran criminal defense and clergy abuse attorney with decades of experience in the complex Chicago court system. I am also a survivor. 

I know the courage it takes to come forward. You deserve justice and peace of mind – and I’ll be there with you every step of the way.
REQUEST A FREE CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION

My own story of abuse

I was 11 years old and excited to join the basketball team at my Catholic school in the northwest suburbs. My parents thought nothing of the coach taking a particular interest in a group of us and offering extracurricular activities. This is how he gained the privacy he needed. He continued to abuse us for over a year, but we never told anyone. This man went on to abuse many more boys, and only much later did he spend any time in prison.

These are the kinds of memories one buries away. Decades passed before I could speak them out loud. I spent those years filled with the guilt of wondering if I had invited my own abuse and the shame of not speaking up sooner. I did finally find the courage to come forward. With a caring church abuse attorney to guide me through the process, I was able to pursue my case against the Archdiocese. When I did, I felt a huge weight was lifted from me.

I can’t imagine how many others still carry around the same weight. If you’re one of them, I urge you to hold your abuser and the Catholic Church accountable – for your own peace of mind, and to stop them from abusing others. As an experienced Chicago attorney who represents church abuse survivors, I can help. If you've experienced abuse from the Archdiocese, I encourage you to reach out.

PRIEST ABUSE ATTORNEY SERVICES

Making a case for survivors

  • Cave

    I know what you’re going through

    While other attorneys may say, “I know how hard this is,” the truth is they can’t possibly know. As a survivor, I do. And as a criminal defense lawyer with more than 35 years of experience, I know what it takes to make something good come out of even the worst situations.
  • Chicago

    I know Chicago

    I was born and raised in the Chicago area and have been a practicing attorney here for decades. More than that, I’ve been through the legal process with the Archdiocese of Chicago and know firsthand how it works.
  • Award

    This is what I do

    Cases of sexual abuse involving the Church are my focus, and I have a deep understanding of what’s required to bring suit successfully against the Archdiocese.
  • Gavel

    You always have a case with us

    While many attorneys who handle church abuse are only interested in cases with a guaranteed payday, I’m always here to listen and guide you in taking the next step toward healing.

ATTORNEY FOR CATHOLIC CHURCH ABUSE

One step at a time

Filing a case against the Church can feel daunting, but knowing what to expect can make it much less so. Here's how it works.
  • 1

    Come in and see me

    Make an appointment to come talk with me. It’s free.
    Door
  • 2

    File with the diocese

    After we meet, I'll contact the Archdiocese of Chicago on your behalf. Together, we'll meet with representatives of the church in a conference room at the Archdiocese. They'll start by asking if they can record your statement, and then you'll have the chance to tell them what happened and ask questions. They'll also connect you with counseling, something I found invaluable in my own journey toward healing. This meeting usually lasts an afternoon.
    Contract
  • 3

    Go through arbitration

    Once the Archdiocese confirms the facts of your case, they'll call to inform me that they’re going to proceed with arbitration (rather than a trial). This is usual practice for the Church. It means there will be an intermediary between you and the lawyers for the Archdiocese. I’ll be there to represent you. The whole thing can typically be done in a day.
    Balance
  • 4

    Determine settlement

    After arbitration, an agreement is drawn up, including a proposed settlement amount. Settlements vary depending on who abused you, the nature of the abuse and the length of time the abuse occurred. I’ll work with you and the Archdiocese to ensure you get a fair settlement. Once the amount is finalized, you’ll receive a check.
    Pen
From start to finish, the entire process typically takes a year or less. As your attorney, I'll be with you every step of the way, fighting to get you justice for Catholic Church sexual abuse.

Always compassionate, all ways fair.

I’ve spent my life fighting for justice for people just like you, including decades of work on criminal cases in Chicago. Today, I'm honored to represent victims of Catholic Church sexual abuse. For me, there is no more rewarding work than helping to bring closure and some measure of justice to survivors of these heinous crimes.

I will handle your suit with compassion and fairness on every issue, including what you pay. While most attorneys ask for 40% or more of the settlement fee, I ask for only one-third, which I feel is fairer compensation for both you and me.

When I represent you, there is no halfway. I’m fully invested in your success. I’ll be by your side every step of the way, explaining the process, guiding you through it and helping you come out the other side the better for it.  If you need legal counsel on another matter, I have decades of experience as a criminal defense attorney and can also connect you with a network of experienced lawyers who can provide additional counsel. Let me know what you need and we can explore options together.
‍
  • 40+
    Murder trial wins
  • 1K
    Trial wins
  • NITA
    Longtime instructor for
    NITA’s Midwest Regional Program
  • NITA
    25-time recipient Martindale-Hubbell
    AV Preeminent rating,
    awarded to 5% of U.S. attorneys
  • NITA
    Named A&P Top 10
    Criminal Defense Attorney in 2020

I hear you.

While other attorneys who handle church abuse may be only interested in the high-profile cases, I feel survivors always have a case. I want to hear what happened and help you toward healing. Any information you share will be held in strictest confidence.

Don’t settle for silence.

For a free confidential consultation, call me directly at

(312) 953-2969

or complete the form below and I get in touch with you.

Thank you. Tod will be in touch with you shortly.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
The Law Offices of Tod M. Urban
715 Lake St
Oak Park, IL 60301
United States
312-953-2969
tod@todurbanlaw.com
Tod's StoryWhy Tod?How It WorksCriminal Defense