Tatiana M. Akhund

Tatiana M. Akhund is a dedicated advocate for survivors of sexual abuse, focusing her practice on cases brought under New York’s Child Victims Act and other statutes that protect survivors of gender-based and sexual violence. Her work is shaped by a lifelong commitment to justice, informed by personal experience, international human rights exposure, and a deep understanding of the systemic barriers survivors face.

Tatiana’s path to the law began while interning for the International Refugee Committee and studying human trafficking in college. Witnessing firsthand the obstacles vulnerable individuals encounter in their pursuit of justice led her to pursue a legal career—one where she could not only support survivors directly but also help reform the legal systems that failed them. While Tatiana is the first attorney in her family within the US, her family’s legal and foreign policy work in Bangladesh and Pakistan further inspired her commitment to impactful, rights-based advocacy. Prior to attending law school, worked in various countries in Southeast Asia with organizations that provided legal and other representation for women, children, prisoners, and individuals affected by climate change. During law school. Tatiana worked at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), assisting the ACLU’s challenges to the Migrant Protection Protocols.

Before joining PCVA, Tatiana practiced exclusively in sexual abuse litigation. She represented clients under the Child Victims Act, the Gender Motivated Violence Act, Title IX, the Adult Survivors Act, and in general sexual assault matters. She has built a reputation for tenacity, thorough investigation, and relentless pursuit of evidence others overlook. Her work has resulted in numerous significant settlements, including:

• $8 million settlement in the Harmon matter, following extensive evidence gathering and briefing that shaped the trajectory of the case.

Tatiana’s legal career has been defined by an unyielding commitment to uncovering the truth, particularly in complex or document-heavy cases. She has drafted and prevailed on motions involving relation back, piercing the corporate veil, successor liability, and compelling production of highly sensitive records. Her work has also extended to national matters, including assisting in the Epstein whistleblower investigation by conducting extensive research into FBI policies and procedures.

Tatiana’s approach to working with survivors is grounded in trauma-informed care. She meets clients where they are, adapting communication, pacing, and expectations to their individual needs. She takes the time to understand how trauma affects each person she represents — what triggers to avoid, how they prefer to receive updates, and what their goals are beyond monetary compensation. For her, the most meaningful moments in her career are when a case resolves and a client can finally begin moving forward.

Tatiana enjoys the dynamic, ever-evolving nature of litigation. Whether she is in court, taking depositions, meeting with clients, or excavating boxes of archival documents, she values the intellectual challenge and the ability to fight for systemic accountability. She also believes strongly in community and mentorship — particularly for first-generation attorneys like herself — and encourages aspiring lawyers to build networks that provide support, knowledge, and opportunity.

Her article, “Human Trafficking and Technology,” was published in the New York Law Journal in 2022.

Outside the office, Tatiana recharges through baking, art, long walks, listening to music, and working out. If she were not an attorney, she imagines she would have pursued a career in foreign affairs—another space where she could advocate for people whose voices often go unheard.