MEDIA ADVISORY: Paris Hilton to Rally an Army of Mass Tort Attorneys in a War Against the "Troubled Teen" Industry

WHAT: Paris Hilton, a survivor of abuse in "troubled teen" facilities, and now an advocate for legislation to reform this industry, is taking her fight to the next level. Paris will inform and inspire around 2,000 mass tort lawyers to pursue litigation against residential treatment facilities, like therapeutic boarding schools, military-style boot camps, juvenile justice facilities, and behavior modification programs, holding them accountable for injuries to teen residents under their care, and demanding the establishment of injunctive relief measures to prevent incidents of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, from occurring in the future. 

Paris will deliver her talk as the opening session of Mass Torts Made Perfect (MTMP), a semi-annual conference attended by mass tort litigators from across the United States who gather to learn about and partner on new national litigations. The session will be moderated by Levin Papantonio Rafferty Attorney Mike Papantonio, a nationally recognized and respected mass tort lawyer, television presenter, radio talk show host, and writer. Mike has been inducted into the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame. Other session panelists include LPR Attorney Caleb Cunningham, who heads the law firm's "Troubled Teen" industry litigation; Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin, Oregon State Senate District 8; and Meg Appelgate, CEO of Unsilenced, a grassroots movement of survivors and advocates speaking out about institutionalized child abuse.

WHO: Paris Hilton; Mike Papantonio, Attorney, Levin Papantonio Rafferty; Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin, Oregon State Senate District 8; and Meg Appelgate, CEO of Unsilenced

WHEN: October 11, 2023, 9 am

WHERE: Bellagio Hotel and Casino, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109 

WHY: Each year, as many as 200,000 children are placed in for-profit residential facilities that are publicly funded to the tune of $23 billion and in which physical and sexual abuse is well-documented, according to the American Bar Association. Paris' presentation to mass tort attorneys attending MTMP will pair powerful forces in the fight to end this abuse. 

Paris has dedicated herself to empowering survivors of the 'Troubled Teen Industry' and leveraging her global platform to ensure that no more youth endure the cruelty and abuse she suffered in these institutions. ​

Paris' advocacy efforts have led to widespread public awareness of this industry, policy changes at the state level, philanthropic endeavors, and media projects like "Trapped in Treatment." Currently, she is actively advocating for the passage of the Federal Accountability for Congregate Care Act. As a natural extension of these efforts, Paris is taking her passion to end "troubled teen" industry abuse to the legal community.

Resolution 605, which passed during the 2023 Annual Meeting of the American Bar Association, offers support for the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act and comparable state, local, and federal laws focused on safeguarding youth from abuse within residential programs. The Levin Papantonio Rafferty law firm, founder and host of Mass Torts Made Perfect, has developed a "troubled teen" industry division within its practice to hold accountable facilities that abuse, neglect, and exploit vulnerable children and teens who have been put under their care. In September 2023, LPR Attorney Caleb Cunningham and two other attorneys filed multiple lawsuits against Alabama state officials, alleging they discriminate against children with disabilities by placing them in residential centers where they were segregated and abused.

Sara Stephens

281-744-6560

Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas, NV