About Us
At ALM Law, we are committed to providing trauma-informed legal services for survivors of abuse and children harmed in child welfare systems. Our mission is to help individuals reclaim their voice, power, and dignity through compassionate, high-caliber legal representation. With a deep understanding of trauma, we fiercely advocate for our clients' rights, guiding them through each step of the legal process.
Who We Are
Allison Mahoney is the Founder and Managing Attorney of ALM Law, where she specializes in trauma-informed legal representation for survivors of abuse and children harmed in child welfare systems. With more than 15 years of experience, Allison has built a distinguished career advocating for vulnerable children in foster care and those impacted by sexual abuse and domestic violence. Her work is defined by her deep commitment to securing justice for survivors.
Allison was previously the Interim Deputy Director at A Better Childhood in New York City. At ABC, Allison spearheaded investigations into problematic foster care systems, filed civil rights class action lawsuits on behalf of children, and advocated for systemic reforms to safeguard children’s rights.
Prior to ABC, Allison was an attorney at Lawyers for Children, Inc., where she represented children in the foster care system in New York City. As the Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Project Attorney, she specialized in advocating for child victims of sexual abuse and exploitation.
Allison began her legal career at O’Melveny & Myers LLP, where she was a member of the firm’s pro bono committee, representing survivors of sexual abuse and domestic violence across the globe. She also served as a prosecutor in New York City, handling cases that involved sex crimes, human trafficking, and public corruption.
Allison’s advocacy extends beyond the courtroom. She is a member of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children and serves on the Boards of Directors for the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, Response Aspen, and YouthZone. She also serves on the policy committee of the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault, is a member of the New York Cyber Abuse Task Force, and sits on the Advisory Council for Aspen Words.
Bar Admissions
Colorado
District of Columbia
Illinois
New York
Court Admissions
Eastern District of New York
Southern District of New York
Northern District of New York
District of Colorado
Supreme Court of the United States
Education
Fordham Law School, J.D., cum laude, 2011
Marquette University, B.S. in Finance & B.A. in English, magna cum laude, 2006
Representative Matters
Representative Legal Cases & Experience
Led investigations into foster care systems, resulting in multiple federal lawsuits addressing child welfare civil rights violations.
Represented a class of foster children in a federal lawsuit against a state child welfare agency, and successfully overcame significant portions of a motion to dismiss.
Oversaw the drafting of a successful appeal before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in a child welfare civil rights case.
Secured a permanent protection order in Colorado for a child survivor of sexual abuse.
Obtained protection orders in New York for victims of sexual abuse and exploitation.
Negotiated a six-figure settlement for a survivor of sexual assault.
Secured over half a million dollars in compensation for a victim of image-based sexual abuse (revenge porn).
Publications
Legally Recognizing Coercive Control Can Help Abuse Victims, Law360, May 16, 2021
Why victims of revenge porn stay silent and how to help, Colorado Newsline, January 23, 2023
Improving Advocacy For Children Placed In Congregate Care Facilities, 37 APSAC Advisor 48 (2024)
Speaking Engagements
Coercive Control and Domestic Violence: What Is It? How Do You Prove It?, New York State Bar Association (2021)
Cyber Crimes Within Domestic Violence Relationships, National Crime Victim Law Institute (2023)
How to Help Victims of Sexual Abuse & Exploitation in Foster Care, Suffolk County Bar Association (2024)
Trapped in the Web: Litigating Cyber Sex Abuse Cases, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers (2024)
Restoring Dignity: Remedies for Victims of Image-Based Sexual Abuse, Colorado Bar Association’s 2024 Victims Rights Law Summit (2024)
Breaking News: Advocacy for Trafficking Victims, Suffolk County Bar Association (2025)
Advocating for Victims in Rural Communities, National Crime Victims Law Institute (2025)
Revenge Porn: Unmasking Digital Violence Legal Remedies for Image-Based Sexual Abuse, TRTCLE (2025)
Locked Away: Solitary Confinement and Disability Discrimination in Juvenile Justice, APSAC Colloquium (2025)
Screens, Stalkers, and Safety: Identifying Tech Abuse in Intimate Partner Violence Cases, Colorado Family Law Institute (2025)