Kathy CadyOf Counsel

Kathy Cady retired after 31 years as a prosecutor with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. She tried over 90 felony jury trials and specialized in family violence, child abuse, and sexual assault cases. Her last assignment was as the Deputy-in-Charge of the Victim Impact Program (VIP) where she supervised deputy district attorneys who vertically prosecute cases involving sexual assault of adults, physical and sexual assault of children, elder abuse, family violence, stalking cases and hate crimes in the Los Angeles County District Attorney Pasadena Branch Office. She was previously the Special Assistant to the Director for the Bureau of Victim Services which safeguards victims’ rights and assists victims of violent crime.

She has lectured extensively on child physical and sexual abuse, the criminal justice system, victims’ rights and services, restitution and victims with disabilities. She has authored articles on domestic violence, child abuse and victims’ rights. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Children’s Advocacy Center for Child Abuse Assessment and Treatment, a nationally accredited Children’s Advocacy Center that services child victims in the east end of Los Angeles County, the Advisory Committee of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of California, the state accredited chapter of the National Children’s Alliance, the National Crime Victim Law Institute and is an honorary advisory Board Member of Justice for Homicide Victims. She previously served on California Children’s Justice Act Task Force and on the Board of Directors of Project Sister Family Services, a rape crisis center. Ms. Cady has drafted legislation and testified in Sacramento regarding bills relating to victims’ rights and child abuse.

Education

• Southwestern University, School of Law. Juris Doctorate 1989
• University of California at Davis. Bachelor of Arts, Political Science 1984

Areas of practice

• Sexual Assault
• Child Abuse
• Victims’ Rights
• Marsy’s Law

Awards

• 2019 – LADA Bureau of Victim Services K-9 Appreciation award
• 2019 – Justice for Homicide Appreciation award for Marsy’s Law training 2009 – 2019
• 2018 – Super Hero Award at Children’s Advocacy Center’s “Be a Hero for Children” Gala
• 2018 – Certificate of Recognition from the City of Covina
• 2018 – Certificate of Recognition from California Legislature Assembly from the Honorable Blanca E. Rubio
• 2017 – Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Commendation
• 2016 – ICAN Appreciation Certificate
• 2016 – Crime Survivors Awards Banquet Above and Beyond Awards
• 2015 – Justice for Murdered Children Angel Award
• 2014 – Justice for Homicide Victims 30th Anniversary Memorial Gavel
• 2011 – County of Los Angeles Commendation
• 2011 – Certificate of Congressional Recognition from the Honorable Judy Chu
• 2011 – California Senate Certificate of Recognition from the Honorable Ronald Calderon
• 2009 – Victim-Witness Assistance Program Commendation
• 2007 – Project Sister Outstanding Service Award
• 2002 – ICAN Recognition Award
• 2000 – ICAN Outstanding Service to Prevent Child Abuse Award
• 1996 – Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Commendation
• 1992 – Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Volunteer Award

Professional Associations

• National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI) Board Member (May 2017 to present)
• California Children’s Justice Act (CCJA) Task Force Member (June 2009 – November 2019)
• Children’s Advocacy Centers of California (CACC) Advisory Committee Member (April 2010 – present)
• Children’s Advocacy Center for Child Abuse Assessment and Treatment (CAC) Founding Board Member and current acting President of the Board. (July 2004 – present)
• Justice for Homicide Victims (JHV) Honorary Advisory Board Member (June 2012 – present)
• Picture Alternatives (PA) Board Member (2012 – present)
• Altadena Children’s Center (ACC) Board Member (2007 – 2012)
• Project Sister Family Services (PSFS) Board Member (2001 – 2007)

AUTHORED LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS WHICH BECAME CALIFORNIA LAW

• 2016 -AB 411 (Bloom) – Added Penal Code Section 868.4 to allow facility and therapy dogs to assist crime victims while they testify in the criminal justice or juvenile delinquency process; Testified at the Senate Public Safety Committee
• 2015– SB 307 (Pavley) – Amended Penal Code Section 136.2 to allow Criminal Protective Orders in cases in which offenders are sentenced according to new realignment laws; Testified at the Senate Public Safety Committee
• 2013– SB 288 (Lieu) – Added Labor Code Section 230.5 to provide employment protections for crime victims who wish to exercise their Constitutional Right to attend criminal or juvenile delinquency proceedings
• 2012– SB 1091 (Pavley) Amended Penal Code Section 868.5 to allow support persons to assist victims in human trafficking and child pornography cases

PUBLICATIONS

• Zealously Protecting the Youngest Crime Victims: The Strength of Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Teams California District Attorneys Association: Prosecutor’s Brief, Spring 2019 publication. Reprinted with permission in The California Professional Society on the Abuse of Children The Consultant Winter 2020 edition.
• Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Special Directive 19-05 New Policies and Procedures for Child Victims and Witnesses updating the Legal Policies Manual
• Zealously Protecting the Youngest Crime Victims: Safeguarding Child Victims’ Rights California District Attorneys Association: Prosecutor’s Brief, Winter 2019 publication. Reprinted with permission in The California Professional Society on the Abuse of Children The Consultant Spring 2019 edition.
• Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Special Directive 17-07 Revised Policies and Procedures – Victims’ Rights updating the Legal Policies Manual
• Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Victim Impact Program Manual. Authored and annually updated chapters on Child Interviews and Testimony; The Victim-Witness Assistance Program; and Victims and Witnesses with Disabilities
• Tactics to Uncover Evidence of Defendant’s Prior Bad Acts, Home Front: The Quarterly Family Violence Newsletter of the California District Attorneys Association, Vol.4 No.4