Advocacy

Commentary

Sexual Harassment & Anita Hill's Legacy


“She shone a light, we saw a flash, and over 30 years we have seen discrimination continue at home and in the legal system,” said Justine Andronici, a Pennsylvania-based attorney who represents sexual harassment plaintiffs. “We are still grappling with the challenges that she helped us to see.”

Erin Mulvaney, Bloomberg Law Anita Hill Cut Path to #MeTo as Barriers Persist 30 Years Later

On the importance of expertise in harassment and assault investigations

​“You wouldn’t ask a pediatrician to do brain surgery,” Andronici said. “This is a very specialized field in which people have to have the background training in how survivors behave, how perpetrators behave, and what kinds of sensitivities are needed in order to conduct investigations in a way that minimally re-traumatizes. Any investigation re-traumatizes survivors, but you want to have a lot of sensitivity toward unnecessary re-traumatization. It sounds to me, from the limited amount of reading that I’ve done on this, that the NFL may not have managed that effectively.”
​
EJ Smith, Regardless of Eagles’ interest in Deshaun Watson, his legal and ethical hurdles aren’t going anywhere (8/17/21)


On Sexual Harassment, #MeToo and the Andrew Cuosmo Sexual Harassment Case:
​
“We’re at the beginning of what institutional accountability might look like,” said Justine Andronici, a Pennsylvania-based attorney who represents victims of sexual harassment. “The #MeToo movement has been one of awareness. It led to the downfall of some powerful men, but until we see how sexual harassers are able to leverage systems of power to enable them, we won’t be able to eradicate it.”  
Cuomo Harassment Scandal Underscores Limits of #MeToo,  Erin Mulvaney  Lydia Beyoud,  Bloomberg Law, August 9, 2021   
In Tribute: Honoring Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Life and Legacy

September 25, 2020

"For me, Justice Ginsburg’s history, life and legacy isn’t about the past, and it isn’t just about dissenting, it is about understanding our history but always looking forward, to making justice and equality under the law meaningful and real, for all of us."
​
Read More:  Georgetown University Women's Law and Public Policy Program Tribute to Justice Ginsburg.
Statement on Black Lives Matter Protests and Police Violence
​
May 2020 
Black Americans have been subjected to institutionalized racism for generations, leading to countless deaths at the hands of police, widespread disadvantage, discrimination and a radically unequal society where people's opportunities, health and safety, are far too often dictated by the color of ones skin.  Understandably, the murder of George Floyd by 4 police officers has sparked massive protests in Pennsylvania and in all 50 states in our country and around the world. As an activist, I am heartened to see the widespread support being expressed across the nation for reform of racist systems of oppression that have for far too long been allowed to undermine, disadvantage, and harm black people and communities.

 As a lawyer, I am hopeful that these protests will lead to significant reforms across our civil and criminal justice system and society.  
On Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court Nomination
Andronici speaks at rally of survivors in opposition to Judge Kavenaugh's confirmation.

"The questions that we’re asking are all wrong,” Andronici said. “Not whether or not we’re denying this man a seat on the Supreme Court unjustly, but how . . . did he even get to this level in the process? . . .  the time for silence is past.”

Title IX: Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment on Campus
Attorney Andronici works with advocates and victims to confront gaps in PSU Title IX Compliance

Jerry Sandusky Survivor Advocacy
Attorney Andronici represented and led media advocacy for 7 victims in the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse case in their claims against Penn State University, including Matt Sandusky and several victims who testified in the criminal trail against Jerry Sandusky. She conducted extensive media advocacy throughout that case. Below are a few links.
“The verdict is a direct result of the victims’ inspiring courage. The victims’ provided heart-wrenching accounts of abuse, manipulation and betrayal by one of the most powerful and protected members of this community.

​We believe this case represents a turning point on the issue of childhood sexual abuse in this community and in the nation. Because of these brave men, the public now knows much more about the horrors of childhood sexual abuse, better understands the challenges survivors face, and more fully appreciates the importance of holding child sexual abuse offenders and all those who protect them accountable.”
​CNN,​Reaction to the Sandusky verdict ( 6/23/12)

Sandusky, Victims Speak at Sentencing (WNEP-TV, 10/9/12) (Andronici at 2:39)

GUILTY: Jury convicts Jerry Sandusky on 45 of 48 sexual abuse counts (CDT, 6/22/12)

Sharing trauma starts healing (CDT, 7/25/12)

Attorneys: Sandusky's adopted son says he's also a victim (CNN.com, 6/21/12)
​
Names of alleged Sandusky victims won't be released to public (McClatchy,8/17/12)

On the next generation of activists. . .

OWN IT PENN 2019 on Women in Politics, Empowerment and the Future of Women's Leadership

On Anderson Cooper AC360

​"Former FBI Director Louis Freeh’s report came as no surprise to Sandusky’s victims, according to Justine Andronici who is an attorney for several of the young men. “Officials at Penn State University actively concealed a child predator in their midst,” Andronici tells Anderson Cooper."
Domestic Violence Awareness
Advocates urge attention, education at domestic violence awareness forum (CDT, 10/3/13)
LGBTQ Rights and Marriage Equality Advocacy
State College Area School District to pay same-sex couple $42,500 (CDT, 10/25/11)

Selected Articles & Publications


Trump's abuse of America is Getting Lethal" Medium, September 2020 

"This is the Most Dangerous Moment Yet in Trump's Cycle of Abuse."  Ms. Magazine Online October 2019 

Elena Kagan and Critical Mass, Ms. Magazine Online, by Justine Andronici 5/21/2010
​
"Class Action v. Glass Ceilings: After 10 years Wal-Mart Sex Discrimination Case Before the Supreme Court," Ms. Magazine (Spring 2011). By Justine Andronici and Debra Katz

"Save Your Life, Save Your Livelihood," Ms. Magazine (Spring 2010). By Justine F. Andronici and Debra S. Katz

"Elena Kagen and Critical Mass," Ms. Magazine Blog (May 2010). By Justine F. Andronici

"A Tux, A Corsage, a Lesbian Prom?" Ms. Magazine Blog (March 2010). By Justine F. Andronici

"A Women's Bill of Rights," Ms. Magazine (Winter 2009). By Justine F. Andronici

"Equal Pay and Beyond," Ms. Magazine (Winter 2009). By Debra S. Katz and Justine F. Andronici

"CEDAW - San Francisco’s Achievements & the Nation’s Shame," Ms. Magazine (Winter 2008). By Justine F. Andronici

"Less Gain More Pain: During an Economic Crunch, Women Should Not Have to Face More Bias Than Usual," Ms. Magazine (Fall 2008). By Justine Andronici and Debra Katz

"Firing Back," Ms. Magazine (Summer 2008). By Debra S. Katz and Justine F. Andronici

"Stall Tactics," Ms. Magazine (Spring 2008). By Debra S. Katz and Justine F. Andronici

"Sarbanes-Oxley Whistleblowers: Experts Only, Please," The National Law Journal (February 18, 2008). By Debra S. Katz and Justine F. Andronici

"Court Gives OK to Unequal Pay," Ms. Magazine (Summer 2007). By Justine F. Andronici 

"The Right to Complain," Ms. Magazine (Spring 2007). By Debra S. Katz and Justine F. Andronici

"Scaling the Maternal Wall," Ms. Magazine (Winter 2007). By Justine F. Andronici and Debra S. Katz

"Reproductive Rights on Trial - Again," Ms. Magazine (Winter 2006). By Justine F. Andronici

"Teen Workplace Harassment & the Foley Scandal - The Untold Story," Ms. Magazine Online (Spec. Feature, Oct. 2006). By Debra S. Katz and Justine F. Andronici.

"No More Excuses," Ms. Magazine (Fall 2006). By Debra S. Katz and Justine F. Andronici

"Acting Above the Law," The National Law Journal (October 9, 2006). By Debra S. Katz and Justine F. Andronici