Victoria Chang is a veteran trial lawyer and passionate advocate for individuals who have been injured by dangerous products and reckless and negligent practices. Victoria has spent her career litigating on behalf of those who were injured by the wrongdoing of others. Before joining Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman, she worked for 10 years as a prosecutor focusing on obtaining justice for victims of sexual assault, both minors and adults. That background provides valuable expertise for her practice representing sex assault victims in civil litigation against schools and other institutions and organizations when they fail to protect individuals in their care. Victoria also represents individuals who have been harmed by dangerous and defective products, including exposure to materials and products containing cancer-causing asbestos and other harmful chemicals.
Here’s what Victoria had to say during our Women’s History Month Women In Law Roundtable Q&A.
Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman: Where do you think we are in terms of gender equality in the legal profession? How do you see the field growing and changing in the future, not just for women attorneys but all lawyers?
Victoria Chang: We have come a long way. We see great examples in our judicial panel of judges, the attorneys leading organizations within our local bar community, and attorneys lobbying for change and raising important issues before the legislature.
GDW: What personality characteristics or skills do you possess that you believe enabled your career to flourish?
VC: GRIT. Competitiveness spilled over from my days as a competitive runner. The dedication I poured into training, I apply to working up my cases, establishing relationships with experts, and marketing for the firm. It’s all about setting goals, putting yourself out there, and not being afraid to lose.
GDW: Many issues that our firm tackles – like helping talc-exposure victims and survivors of birth defects and sex abuse – have unique implications for women. How important is the legal field to ensuring fair treatment for women and protecting their rights? Why is it important to have female attorneys involved in this litigation?
VC: Female attorneys identify with and understand the impact talc, birth defects, and sexual abuse have on other women survivors. We are able to communicate this to a jury, judge, or mediator in a very personal and unique way. It also helps to build trust with female clients who then open up and feel comfortable about talking about uncomfortable issues.
GDW: Is there a practice area you focus on that particularly affects women? Why is it important to you? What positive impacts have you been able to make through your work?
VC: I am working on helping to build the sexual abuse practice. As a former deputy prosecutor on the sex abuse team, I have firsthand experience interviewing survivors, developing their cases, and trying the cases in front of juries. After transitioning to civil practice, this was an area of law I wanted to continue, and that is what drew me to GDW. Through my work, I have established relationships with all four Sex Abuse Treatment Centers (SATC) in the State of Hawaii. I was recently nominated and elected as a member of the SATC Advisory Board. I am also working with other nonprofit organizations on launching a safety kit program. These connections are helping me reach out to our community to educate and support survivors.
GDW: What is the most interesting change you’ve seen in the legal field since starting your career?
VC: It is truly amazing to see new nonprofit organizations form and speak out for women’s rights. Organizations like Women Speaking Out (WSO) are led by survivors who dedicate their time and careers to educating the community about sexual abuse and domestic violence. Their efforts are inspiring and will hopefully lead to greater change.
GDW: What is one piece of advice you’ve received that you would pass on to law students and lawyers? Women law students and lawyers?
VC: “You do YOU.” If you feel passionate about an issue or an idea, pursue it. Don’t let others tell you that you don’t have the skills or the training to develop something new.
Check out our Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman Virtual Roundtable Q&A: Women In Law for more interviews with our attorneys.
