The new movie ‘Spotlight’ opens nationwide on Friday. It tells the true story of The Boston Globe’s “Spotlight” team and their coverage of the Massachusetts Catholic sex abuse scandal in 2002. The film is receiving widespread critical acclaim and boasts an all-star cast, including the likes of Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo and Stanley Tucci.
The film also highlights the role of attorney Mitch Garabedian, played on screen by Tucci, in uncovering the systemic sexual abuse of children by the Catholic Church. The incredible resolve and legal work of Garabedian cannot be overstated. Under daunting circumstances, he held accountable the perpetrators and institutions that protected them.
I know this firsthand because, thankfully, his work continues today. I’m proud to say Garabedian is our co-counsel partner in the firm’s ongoing representation of boys sexually abused by Douglas Perlitz at a school in Haiti. Perlitz is currently serving a 19-year sentence in federal prison and, in 2013, Garabedian and our firm recovered a landmark $12 million settlement on behalf of 24 of the victims. We continue to represent over 100 other boys who have come forward since.
Garabedian opened the doors for other victims across the globe to come forward – and for firms like ours to join the fight.
