Jenner & Block Secures Summary Judgment for Sexual Assault Survivor in Nearly Seven-Year Retaliation Suit
News
July 7, 2026
A Jenner & Block team secured summary judgment on behalf of a pro bono client who was sued under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 after reporting a sexual assault and cooperating with law enforcement, bringing to a close nearly seven years of retaliatory litigation.
In November 2015, our client was sexually assaulted over a three-day period at a ranch in rural California. The perpetrator was arrested and charged, but prosecutors later dismissed the case, and a subsequent state malicious prosecution claim against the client also failed.
In August 2019, the perpetrator and a company he owns filed a federal lawsuit alleging that our client conspired with county officials to violate his constitutional rights, stemming from the perpetrator's separate business and property disputes with the county.
Jenner began representing the client when the federal action was filed. In June 2025, the team moved for summary judgment, with a hearing held in August 2025. In June 2026, the court granted the team's motion and denied the plaintiffs' cross-motion, entering final judgment in the client's favor.
The Jenner team was led by Partner AnnaMarie Van Hoesen and Associates Madeline Skitzki and Jenna Conwisar. The team also includes Associates Jose Sandoval and Alec Kirmser, Paralegal Alonso Ponce, and former Associate Julia Hirata.
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© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
News
July 7, 2026
A Jenner & Block team secured summary judgment on behalf of a pro bono client who was sued under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 after reporting a sexual assault and cooperating with law enforcement, bringing to a close nearly seven years of retaliatory litigation.
In November 2015, our client was sexually assaulted over a three-day period at a ranch in rural California. The perpetrator was arrested and charged, but prosecutors later dismissed the case, and a subsequent state malicious prosecution claim against the client also failed.
In August 2019, the perpetrator and a company he owns filed a federal lawsuit alleging that our client conspired with county officials to violate his constitutional rights, stemming from the perpetrator's separate business and property disputes with the county.
Jenner began representing the client when the federal action was filed. In June 2025, the team moved for summary judgment, with a hearing held in August 2025. In June 2026, the court granted the team's motion and denied the plaintiffs' cross-motion, entering final judgment in the client's favor.
The Jenner team was led by Partner AnnaMarie Van Hoesen and Associates Madeline Skitzki and Jenna Conwisar. The team also includes Associates Jose Sandoval and Alec Kirmser, Paralegal Alonso Ponce, and former Associate Julia Hirata.
Related Attorneys
Related Locations
© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
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