Brenda

Professional Experience

Brenda Harkavy, Esq. is a trial attorney at Raynes & Lawn. Brenda’s practice includes advocating on behalf of survivors of adult and childhood sexual abuse, exploitation, discrimination, and negligent medical treatment, particularly involving women's health and reproductive care. Brenda is recognized as an expert in trauma-aware lawyering and sexual abuse litigation, having represented countless survivors of abuse, including clients sexually abused by the former University of Southern California (“USC”) gynecologist, George Tyndall, in the largest known sexual abuse case recovery and personal injury settlement against a university in U.S. history. Brenda began her legal career as a Special Victims Unit Prosecutor where she litigated hundreds of intimate partner violence cases and spearheaded statewide trainings for law enforcement and medical personnel on investigating intimate partner violence matters. She was also one of the authors of Maryland’s amended stalking and harassment legislation and facilitated the creation of a domestic violence docket, where judges, prosecutors, probation agents, public defenders, and social workers collaborated to decrease the risk of recidivism and streamline the courtroom process for survivors. Brenda currently serves as a Board Member and Volunteer Attorney for the Support Center for Child Advocates, Co-Chair of the American Association for Justice’s Sexual Assault Litigation Group, and Co-Chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Women in the Profession’s Legislative Sub-Committee.

Education

    • American University Washington College of Law

      Class of 2011
      JD · Washington · DC

    • University of Pennsylvania

      Class of 2006
      Political Science, Hispanic Studies · Philadephia · PA
    • Lower Merion

      Class of 2002
      Philadephia · PA

Practice Areas

  • Appeals
  • Bankruptcy
  • Civil Litigation
  • Civil Rights
  • Civil Service
  • Class Actions
  • Domestic Relations
  • Employment Law
  • General Practice
  • Intentional Torts
  • Labor Law: Employment Discrimination
  • Litigation
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Negligence/Personal Injury
  • Negligence/PI: Plaintiff
  • Negligence/PI: Plaintiff: Medical Malpractice
  • Product Liability
  • Tort

Bar Admissions

    • 2012  New York
    • 2012  New Jersey
    • 2012  Maryland
    • 2023  Pennsylvania