biography

Judie Saunders is a Partner with ASK LLP, a national law firm offering individuals and corporations, bankruptcy, transactional and litigation services. Judie leads the firm’s Sexual Abuse and Human Trafficking Department. Judie has more than twenty years of experience litigating cases involving sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and discrimination. Judie has represented survivors in cases against USA Gymnastics, local and state governments, and clergy abuse survivors. Judie has extensive courtroom experience, including conducting administrative hearings and jury trials.

Judie is an arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and International Institution of Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR).

Prior to ASK LLP, Judie represented and counseled numerous high-profile clients including Olympians, NCAA Division I student athletes and elite gymnasts, where she sought redress for injuries sustained due to abusive coaching practices.

Judie also spent a significant amount of her career in politics, including as a legislative analyst for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and as a staff member on several state and national campaigns.

Judie is an established thought leader in areas related to the intersection of law, policy, and human rights. She frequently writes, speaks, andn is quoted on these issues for major publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Bloomberg News, Forbes, Good Morning America. Judie is a co-author of “A War on My Body: A War on My Rights,” with several renowned women’s rights advocates.

Judie is a Sexual Misconduct Title IX Advisor to colleges and universities, including Carnegie Mellon University. Judie also works with academic institutions to provide Respect in Workplace Trainings. Judie is a Delaware State University Advisory Board Member to the Make Your Mark on the Sports World. Judie is a regularly scheduled Guest Lecturer on Sports and Ethics at New York University.

Judie extends her knowledge of sexual misconduct to businesses and governmental entities where she is retained to conduct internal investigations into sexual harassment and discrimination. Judie is an active member of the Association of Workplace Investigators.

Judie received her J.D. from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.

Judie is avid runner who has completed several marathons, including the New York City and Marine Corp Marathon.

EDUCATION

University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, J.D.

Oakwood University, (HBCU member institution) B.A.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Sexual Abuse and Trafficking

Bar Admission

New Jersey

New York

U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

American Association for Justice, Women Trial Lawyers Caucus, Member, 2022-present

New Jersey Association for Justice, Member 2015-present

Garden State Bar Association, Member 2021-present

Girl’s Scouts of America, Jersey Coast Chapter Board of Directors, 2021

Association of Workplace Investigators, 2022-present

Impact 100 Jersey Coast Co-Chair, DEI Committee, 2017-2021

Parker Family Health Center, Red Bank, NJ

Chair, Governance Committee, 2017-present

WRITING AND SPEAKING

Author. “Homes of Rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs Raided in Human Trafficking Investigation” – ASK LLP Blog – Apr 12, 2024

Author, “Sexual Assault in Hollywood: The P Diddy Case Study” – ASK LLP Blog – Apr 05, 2024

Author, “Can Whistleblower Laws Protect Competitive Youth Athletes?” — New Jersey Law Journal, January 2020.

Author, “Treating an Infection: How Academic Institutions Must Address SexualViolence.” University Business, August 24, 2023.

Moderator, “Growing Your Legal Staff in the New Normal.” Women Owned Law Symposium, Drexel Kline School of Law, April 2021.

Presenter, “Litigating Child Sex Abuse Cases.” – Lawline, June 2021.

Presenter, “Ensuring Cultural Competence With African American Clients.” – Lawline, December 2021.

Presenter, “How to Conduct Unbiased Internal Investigations.” NAMWOLF, Chicago, IL, September 2022.

Presenter, “A Guide to Collegiate Athlete Name, Image and Likeness Agreements: Making the Fair and Balanced.” – 2022.

Presenter, “Conducting Sexual Harassment Investigations.” – 2022 Presenter, “Internal Investigations: How to Deal with Difficult Witnesses.” – 2022