Erika J. Scott’s career as an attorney has consistently centered on advocating for victims, fighting the powers who benefit from oppression and disenfranchisement, and seeking justice for her clients. Erika rejoined Winer, Burritt, Scott & Jacobs, LLP as a Senior Associate in July 2018, quickly became the Managing Partner, and is now the Owner of the law firm.
Erika first started at the Firm early in her career as an associate and was trained by John Winer. Erika took a break from practicing law to provide direct services through non-profit work before coming back in 2018. Erika’s practice focuses on childhood sexual abuse, therapist abuse, and employment law – specifically harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and wrongful termination.
Erika’s areas of specialization focus on demonstrating emotional distress damages caused by abuses of power, including the very nuanced ways a treating therapist or other medical provider can cause damage to their patient through the crossing of boundaries. The power dynamics inherent in these relationships lead to abuse when boundaries are not properly respected. After the passage of AB 218 in October 2019, Erika’s practice has largely been devoted to supporting survivors of childhood sexual abuse, specifically by large institutions with decades long history of covering up these abuses such as the Catholic Church and Boy Scouts of America. Erika represents over 300 clients in these cases.
Erika has achieved extensive successes for her clients both through trial and through early resolution and mediation. Erika has litigated hundreds of cases against the largest defense firms in California, achieving successful results for her clients in 99% of her cases. She is passionate about using the law to advance social justice work on behalf of individuals whose civil rights have been violated. Erika does not hesitate to use all of the tools available to secure the best possible results for her clients.
Erika graduated from Golden Gate University School of Law with a certificate in Public Interest Law, awarded to students who demonstrate a commitment to practicing law for the public good. In addition, Erika received numerous awards for her academic achievement including:
- Merit Scholarship
- Moot Court Board
- Foundation of the State Bar of California Scholarship
- Frederick W. Bradley Endowed Scholarship
- Public Interest Law Scholar
- Paul S. Jordan Achievement Award for Service and Contribution
- CALI Excellence Award for Employment Discrimination
- CALI Excellence Award for Women and the Law
- Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in Civil Procedure
- Chair of Public Interest Law Foundation
- Chair of GGU’s chapter of Law Students for Reproductive Justice
Erika graduated from the University of California at Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies and is a licensed member of the State Bar of California and admitted to practice in the United States District Court in the Northern District of California.
