“There are always red flags—signs people dismiss or gut feelings they ignore,” cautions Courtney Thom. She’s talking about how difficult it is to identify sexual predators who prey on children. “Pedophiles don’t share a common profile. In fact, they’re often pillars of the community—a teacher, physician, coach, clergy member, or volunteer.” Courtney speaks from experience. As a partner at America’s leading sexual abuse law firm, Manly Stewart & Finaldi, she has built a career as a fierce advocate for children who have been sexually abused.
Courtney was first introduced to this work through an internship as a law clerk in the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, where she was assigned to the sexual assault unit. After graduating from law school, she served as an attorney in the DA’s office for over a decade, focusing primarily on sex crimes. Courtney eventually moved from the DA’s office into private practice with Manly Stewart Finaldi where she now focuses on sexual abuse cases in the civil realm.
Today, Courtney brings that expertise to Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County (CASA OC), where she serves on the board. Courtney first learned about CASA from her mom who was a lifelong educator and principal and, after retirement, a CASA volunteer. Courtney also encountered CASAs in court when she was working in the DA’s office. She says, “I’d see them in court, advocating for their youth. The CASA was the one person—among all the paid professionals—who volunteered to be there for that child. I always found that to be so important for youth, who often don't have a voice once they’re in the system, and have always had a place in my heart for CASA.”
Courtney (middle) at CASA OC Celebration with Manly Stewart Colleagues
Growing up in Orange County, Courtney had a happy childhood and says her early experiences working in the local DA’s office were shocking to her. She says, “I was blown away by the incredible work of a very small team of deputy DAs who were dealing with these horrific cases right here in Orange County. I had a really nice childhood and didn’t know what was going on in my backyard until that internship. I had no idea of the depths of depravity that so many children in our community are subject to. I went home crying after reading police reports and felt sick to my stomach making closing arguments. But it just lit a fire in me to continue to stand up for these victims.”
Her move into civil law now allows her to pursue the institutions where predatory behavior often occurs and is allowed to continue. She says, “When children are abused, it doesn’t happen in a vacuum—there are almost always others turning a blind eye. Our law firm goes after institutions that enabled the abuse; school districts, sports organizations, hospitals, and churches. Institutions that didn’t protect children and allowed abuse to occur…sometimes over 30 years. I feel really good about this work because it can bring about institutional change.”
She continues, “Sometimes the only way you can bring about change, like improved policies, procedures and mandatory reporting, is through this type of litigation. The other benefit of civil cases is it brings about financial compensation for victims to allow them a new start or provide something to get that child back on track; counseling, a college education and all the necessary tools to live a full life.”
Courtney explains how she is lending her talents to CASA OC, “I wanted to get involved as much as I could, so I started attending the annual CASA Celebration, I started doing staff trainings, and was overjoyed when I was approached about being on the board. I was so blown away by the first board meeting I attended, everybody on the board is so passionate and brings such different life experiences. Everyone is so deeply committed and I’m so honored to sit amongst them.”
Courtney and her Manly Stewart colleagues have already hosted two staff trainings at CASA’s office to help Advocate Supervisors and other staff members learn how to better vet and supervise volunteers, as well as how to support children who may disclose signs of abuse. She says, “CASA does a tremendous job of vetting their volunteers. Sometimes a CASA is the first person in their life a child feels they can trust. An advocate may be the first person a child discloses abuse to. When children start to disclose abuse, it’s like peeling away an onion and if that first layer is received well by their CASA, that child is apt to continue disclosing, and that hopefully may lead to some positive change in that child’s life.”
Left, Courtney Thom and Karen Jordan at Friends of CASA OC Holiday Luncheon. | Right, Courtney on Capitol Hill.
She continues, “Vetting is critical - we see a lot of cases in schools where they fail to do background checks or ask the right background questions. Equally important is to have a good ongoing supervision process. A lot of organizations drop the ball in this area.”. Courtney says, “Pedophiles often target youth who are vulnerable. Children who come from poverty or are in the foster care system are more vulnerable to abuse - they’re targeted because of that vulnerability and because they likely won’t report. They typically don’t have a stable family unit and don’t believe anyone is in their camp. It’s the worst case scenario.”
In addition to supporting CASA staff with on-site training, Courtney has offered to review CASA policies regarding vetting and supervising of volunteers. She says, “CASA’s layers of screening go beyond many youth-serving institutions and, equally importantly, CASA provides ongoing monitoring of volunteers once they’re matched with their youth.” Jenny Leon, CASA’s Chief Program Officer, adds, “Our job is to keep CASA youth safe so they don’t come into further harm; that’s why we have such a rigorous application and screening process, including an extensive background check. We also provide ongoing support and supervision for all of our active volunteers and are always exploring new ways to provide additional layers of support for our youth.”
Friends of CASA OC Holiday Luncheon with Manly Stewart Colleagues
Courtney is also focused on bringing national attention to CASA’s recent cuts in federal funding and has met with elected representatives to talk about the importance of restoring funding for CASA. Courtney also enjoys dressing up and attending CASA’s fundraising events with her colleagues. “I look forward to the Celebration Gala every year, it’s such an incredible event. When I attended my first Celebration and watched the videos that were played, I cried, I laughed, I felt every emotion. I remember going home thinking, I want to get more involved and I’d like to see my husband become a CASA. There’s not many events you go to where you’re so impacted you just want to do whatever you can. That’s how I feel about the CASA Celebration event.” Courtney also typically lines up one or two tables for the female attorneys in her office to attend the annual CASA Holiday Luncheon.
When she’s not working, Courtney prioritizes spending time with her husband and their four and six-year-old children. Her work is very difficult and she’s had to learn how to effectively compartmentalize the trauma she is exposed to in her cases, but her children and her commitment to seeking justice for victimized youth fuels her commitment to keep doing this work. When it all gets to be too much, she finds peace in the ocean and competes in long distance swims to relieve her stress. Courtney says, “the salt water is so healing.”
To learn more about how you can help vulnerable youth in the foster care system waiting for a CASA match, please contact Norma Mendoza at CASA OC.