On the eve of my claims becoming time-barred I filed my first ever lawsuit.

I was repeatedly sexually assaulted at work. I am so grieved. I’m still struggling three years later. To be violated in an environment where I was trying to make a living. To be subjected to a heinous acts with no relief. This trauma altered my brain chemistry so severely, I lost the ability to experience joy. I almost let that deadline pass. But I didn’t.

I had no attorney. No legal background. No support system. It was such a lonely walk. No one understood what I was carrying. To attempt to litigate for the first time without ever stepping foot in a law school with no direction. While maintaining a full time job. I had to self soothe and keep going. That alone took everything I had.

I am surprised I’m still here.

I taught myself how to format a legal pleading . The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Local court rules. Page Limits. Deadlines. How to state a claim and identify every prima facie element. How to construct legal arguments from my testimony. How to write an opposition brief. How to write a sur-reply. How to cite case law. Every filing I drove myself to the federal courthouse and submitted it in person.

When the defendant filed a Motion to Dismiss I wrote my opposition myself. A federal judge denied their motion. My case survived. A federal judge decided that my case had merit.

What I have built over these two years is a testament to a resilience I didn’t know I had.

And even though I cannot count my tears

I never wavered.

Now I have an attorney who is stepping into an active federal case mid-litigation. He isn’t starting from the beginning he is walking immediately into discovery, including depositions, and trial prep all bearing down on an immediate deadline.

The retainer is $25,000. That number reflects the weight of what he is taking on.

I did the hardest part alone. I just need help crossing this finish line.

Every dollar keeps this case alive.

Thank you.