Many institutional abuse lawsuits arise from complaints lodged against entities that are considered to be in a position of power, such as universities, schools, religious groups, health care providers, and others. These lawsuits may involve many litigants, require extensive investigations, and raise legal issues about supervision, reporting, and how institutions respond. On the plaintiff side, firms that handle such litigation typically help litigants seek compensation through the court system and raise survivors’ rights issues.
Founded in 1996, Janet, Janet & Suggs, LLC (JJS) has developed a significant practice involving institutional abuse litigation and cases against organizations accused of failing to prevent or respond to misconduct. The Maryland-based plaintiff-side firm has represented survivors in matters involving universities, schools, religious institutions, and other organizations. Its work in this area has included individual claims and large-scale litigation involving multiple plaintiffs and institutional defendants. The firm’s attorneys have handled cases involving alleged sexual abuse, negligence, and failures of oversight, with several matters receiving national and regional media coverage.
One of the firm’s most widely reported cases involved litigation against Johns Hopkins Hospital and former physician Dr. Nikita Levy. The case began after allegations that Levy, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Johns Hopkins, had secretly recorded patients during medical examinations. The hospital terminated Levy’s employment in 2013 after discovering the recordings. Levy died by suicide shortly after the allegations became public. The resulting litigation involved thousands of former patients and led to a $190 million settlement in 2014. At the time, the settlement was reported as the largest U.S. settlement involving sexual misconduct by a single physician.
JJS participated in the Johns Hopkins litigation through the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee, which coordinated aspects of the class action proceedings alongside other law firms involved in the case. Howard Janet served as vice chair of the committee. National publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Associated Press, covered the settlement, as did regional outlets such as The Baltimore Sun and The Daily Record. Coverage focused on the scale of the litigation, the allegations against Levy, and the legal process surrounding the settlement approval.
Another major institutional abuse matter involving JJS concerned the University of Southern California and former campus gynecologist Dr. George Tyndall. Former students alleged that Tyndall engaged in inappropriate conduct during medical examinations while working at the university’s student health center. The litigation resulted in an $842.4 million settlement approved in 2021, involving hundreds of former students. Andrew Janet played a leading role in the litigation. The case became one of the largest settlements involving allegations of sexual misconduct connected to a U.S. university.
Beyond university cases, JJS has litigated other lawsuits involving an educational institution or an institution in general. In June 2024, JJS filed a lawsuit against Fenton Community High School District 100 for the sexual abuse of a minor by his teacher, who was also an administrator for years at the same school. This lawsuit is part of the firm’s broader institutional abuse practice, where legal claims often examine the actions of institutions that should protect their students.
The firm’s institutional abuse practice has also extended beyond the courtroom into public discussion of legislative remedies and survivor protections. JJS attorneys, including Andrew Janet, have participated in debate over the Maryland Child Victims Act, the 2023 law that eliminated the statute of limitations for civil claims arising from childhood sexual abuse. Janet has co-authored two guest commentaries published in The Baltimore Sun on issues arising under the law. The first, written with Jonathan Schochor and published in October 2023, addressed the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s decision to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection shortly before the Child Victims Act took effect. The second, published in February 2025 and co-authored with Schochor and Joshua F. Kahn, responded to legislative proposals to limit the state’s liability under the law amid budget pressures.
Professional recognition of attorneys associated with JJS has included listings from organizations such as Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and Rising Stars. Andrew Janet was recognized by The Daily Record as a Leader in Law in 2026. He was named among Influential Marylanders in 2024. Howard Janet received the Maryland Association for Justice Trial Lawyer of the Year award in 2015. The firm’s institutional litigation work has also been covered by The Baltimore Banner, which reported on Howard Janet’s career and legal contributions after his death in 2025.
Through its involvement in major institutional abuse cases, Janet, Janet & Suggs, LLC has become associated with litigation concerning survivor claims, organizational responsibility, and accountability within large institutions. Its record includes participation in several nationally reported settlements and ongoing cases involving schools, universities, healthcare organizations, and other entities. The firm’s work continues in the broader field of plaintiff representation, where civil litigation addresses allegations of harm and institutional failures.
Disclaimer: The content in this article is provided for general knowledge. It does not constitute legal advice, and readers should seek advice from qualified legal professionals regarding particular cases or situations.
