Law firm creates team to handle sex abuse cases

Bethlehem law firm Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo has organized a dedicated team to provide information and legal services to victims of sexual abuse.

The firm has established protocol to direct all such calls to the team, which is comprised of lead attorneys, Martin D. Cohen, Mark K. Altemose, and Kelly Rambo-Williams, so that they can be offered the proper confidential support.

“I think it is needed,” said Martin Cohen, founding partner. “Every time you pick up a paper there are stories of abuse at churches, scouts, sports teams, schools.”

It has also added information to its website to help victims and report abuse as well as ways to prevent or stop such abuse.

Mark K. Altemose, managing partner, said the team is experienced in dealing with not only sexual abuse and assault cases, but with helping families identify early signs of abuse to prevent this from continuing long-term.

“These cases can be very complex and that’s where our combined experience will be of great benefit to clients. They’ve already been abuse victims, we want to ensure the victims get what they deserve,” he said.

Cohen said the team, which includes a board-certified mental health professional, will work on a confidential basis with such clients to ensure they are fully aware of their legal options

“We want everyone to understand they’re protected,” Cohen said.

He said an essential part of the firm’s plan is also to offer the community resources on how to prevent sexual abuse with advice on how to identify abusers or potential abusers and what a family should do if abuse is suspected.

“These are terrible things, maybe some of them could be prevented,” he said.