“My mom always said I was going to be a lawyer. I didn’t know that right away. But, ultimately, mom was right. The work I do has to be meaningful. It has to have a direct and positive impact on people’s lives. And here it does. I’m thrilled to be at Weitz & Luxenberg. We must do everything we can to hold perpetrators of sexual abuse accountableAlexandra K. Sagona is a member of Weitz & Luxenberg’s team of experienced and knowledgeable personal injury attorneys. She is leading and expanding W & L’s team focused on sexual abuse litigation. Ms. Sagona is setting up our W&L West Coast practice, while working alongside our established East Coast unit.
Expanding W & L’s Support of Sexual Abuse ClientsOur New York office already supports a dedicated team of attorneys working on behalf of clients who were sexually abused as children. In California, recent laws have expanded the rights of sexual abuse victims for both children and adults. Specifically, in 2026, a revival of an existing statute was made for adult sexual assault victims. This means that victims of sexual abuse now have an additional two years to file claims against the perpetrators of these criminal acts.Sexual abuse cases are crimes that allow victims to also file civil suits. Ms. Sagona says her experience working for the Honorable Karen E. Scott - who oversees the U.S. District Court in the Central District of California - familiarized her with both the criminal and civil violations of sexual assault.That time, and her experience overseeing more than 700 Catholic clergy cases at a previous law firm, have prepared her for the work she is doing for Weitz & Luxenberg’s clients.
Making Sure You Feel Heard and Seen“No one goes to an attorney because they’re having a good day. It’s because someone’s having a bad day. Particularly when it comes to our clients, it isn’t just one bad day. It’s when the sex abuse started, however long it lasted, and every day since,” says Ms. Sagona.She continues, “Our clients may have told family and friends about the abuse, but felt unheard. Maybe they were told to keep quiet or that the abuse wasn’t as bad as they thought it was. And not to make a big deal out of it.”Ms. Sagona emphasizes, “But when someone comes to Weitz & Luxenberg, we make sure you feel heard. We believe you. We know the abuse happened. And sometimes that’s the first time you think things might get a little better.”
Bringing Some Sense of Closure“There are mixed feelings when a case is resolved. On one hand, nothing takes away what happened. Our client will live with the scars of that experience forever. However, there is a kind of relief knowing that their abuser is not going to get away with what they did,” explains Ms. Sagona.“At Weitz & Luxenberg, we make sure the person or company that perpetrated the abuse - or sat back and allowed it to happen - is held accountable. Giving our client some kind of closure is incredibly rewarding. At least, they can move forward knowing they told their description of what happened and that they were believed and listened to.”
Sexual Abuse Is a Crime
“At Weitz & Luxenberg, we file civil suits on behalf of people who were sexually abused,” But at the crux of it, sexual abuse is always a criminal act.”Ms. Sagona points out, “Sexual assault is something that’s very uncomfortable to talk about. Boys might be told sexual abuse doesn’t happen - because boys should be able to take care of themselves. People tell girls they should ‘keep it quiet’ and ‘that’s just the way things are.’ Unfortunately, that is what they often hear.”She states, “Well, it shouldn’t be that way. Perpetrators of sexual abuse should be held responsible. And - if our team at Weitz & Luxenberg has anything to do with it - they absolutely will be.”
Legal Lessons Leading to Sexual Abuse LitigationMs. Sagona had a fantastic experience during her first year of law school while an extern with the U.S. District Court in Santa Ana. She gained knowledge of how the court system works and was introduced to civil and criminal law. In cases involving sexual abuse, she learned you can’t “do” civil without criminal. First and foremost, sexual abuse is a criminal act.The following year, Ms. Sagona worked as a law clerk for the Federal Public Defender in its Capital Habeas Unit in Los Angeles. Inmates on death row had been convicted of serious crimes such as murder, rape, and sexual torture. The knowledge she gained there continues to guide the work she does in cases involving sexual assault.
On the Personal SideMs. Sagona is licensed to practice law in California. She earned her J.D. from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. She achieved her B.A. in philosophy, along with a minor in creative writing, from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.Outside the office, Ms. Sagona enjoys teaching at Pepperdine University, ice skating, and designing costumes - particularly for her brothers. In addition, she is a huge fan of watching the LA Kings play hockey.
