Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law: Diversity Through the Decades

Lisa A. Linsky focuses her practice on complex investigations and litigation. With more than 15 years’ experience as a criminal prosecutor, Lisa has handled matters involving sexual assault, abuse and misconduct. She is the founder and head of the Firm’s Institutional Sexual Misconduct Response Team (SMRT). Lisa leads a team of approximately 12 attorneys who assist institutional clients, including religious entities, academic institutions, businesses and nonprofit organizations to navigate high-profile and sensitive sexual assault and abuse matters, including Child Victims Act and Adult Survivors Act cases. Lisa’s extensive investigation and litigation experience also uniquely positions her to conduct Title IX investigations and litigations. Her clients rely on her guidance and good counsel to protect them from reputational harm that can result from being sued in these cases. Lisa draws on her experience as a seasoned prosecutor with a trauma-informed background when investigating and litigating such matters. She also handles trust and estate matters, including New York Surrogate’s Court litigation, complex commercial and civil rights litigations.

Lisa was McDermott’s first partner-in-charge of Firm-wide Diversity and partner-in-charge of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Diversity and Inclusion. She created and chaired the Firm-wide LGBT Committee, and currently serves on the Firm’s Pro Bono and Community Service and Diversity and Inclusion Committees. In addition to her litigation skills, Lisa has received numerous awards for her distinguished service in both the public and private sectors.

Lisa joined McDermott with extensive trial experience. She was formerly with the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, where she held the positions of associate chief of the Special Prosecutions Division and chief of the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Bureau of the same division. Lisa investigated and prosecuted, as first chair, countless sexual abuse cases involving children and adults, and has been recognized for her expertise and work in the fields of domestic violence, child abuse and sex crimes investigations and trials. She is an accomplished public speaker and has trained members of law enforcement, the judiciary, mental health professionals, teachers and parents on the identification and prevention of child sexual abuse, among other topics.