Mike McFarland is a tenacious advocate for survivors of sexual violence, who passionately dedicates his legal expertise to fiercely fight for justice on behalf of his clients every day, tirelessly championing their rights and seeking to empower them through the legal process.
Memberships
- American Association for Justice (AAJ)
- National Crime Victim Bar Association
Education
- Temple University, B.A. in Political Science and History
- Temple University Beasley School of Law, J.D.
Licensure
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for New Jersey
About Michael
Mike McFarland is a seasoned trial attorney with a steadfast commitment to advocating for survivors of crime, including sexual violence and abuse. As an attorney on Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan’s Crime Victim Team, he exclusively handles cases involving physical and sexual assaults, abuse and neglect, as well as bullying, hazing and harassment cases in institutional settings such as schools, residential treatment facilities, hospitals, universities, sports organizations, daycare centers, and churches.
Before joining Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, Mike served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Homicide Unit of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. Over his five-year tenure, he successfully prosecuted hundreds of bench trials and many jury trials, including cases involving murder, sexual assault, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, fraud, DUI, firearms possession, and narcotics distribution.
As a member of the Non-Fatal Shootings Unit in the Philadelphia DA’s Office, Mike primarily prosecuted shootings in the city’s East Detective Division. Collaborating closely with the Special Investigations Unit detectives and criminal intelligence officers, he skillfully investigated and prosecuted repeat felony offenders, securing justice for victims of gun violence. Additionally, Mike dedicated time to training incoming prosecutors and law students in prosecutorial and trial advocacy skills.
A proud lifelong Philadelphia resident, Mike earned his law degree, along with a certificate in Trial Advocacy, from the James E. Beasley School of Law at Temple University. He served as a Note/Comment Editor for the Temple Law Review, received the Barrister’s Award, was recognized for outstanding oral advocacy, and served as a teaching assistant for trial advocacy courses.
Prior to law school, Mike graduated summa cum laude from Temple University in 2012, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science and history. Passionate about his hometown, he enjoys cheering on Philadelphia sports teams, baseball, running, skiing, cooking, and exploring new restaurants throughout the city.
Industry Recognition
- Certificate of Trial Advocacy and Litigation from Temple University
- Barrister Award Winner
- Award in Outstanding Oral Advocacy
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 – 2023, 2024
- SuperLawyers, Pennsylvania Rising Stars – 2024
News Featuring Michael McFarland
Public Radio Covers Kanakuk Victims Support of the Bill Expanding the Statute of Limitations
For decades, Kanakuk Kamps has ignored allegations of sexual abuse, resulting in the victimization of children and no accountability for those who enabled the crimes. Often, victims of this kind of institutional abuse take many years to process the trauma they have endured and, as a result, do not come forward until years later, after the statute of limitations has run out. This can leave them with no recourse for seeking justice.
Now some of these victims and their advocates are speaking out in support of HB 1617, a Missouri bill that would add 10 years to the existing statute of limitations and allow victims to file lawsuits until they reach age 41. Attorney Bobby Thrasher, who represents Kanakuk victim Logan Yandell alongside Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan attorneys Guy D’Andrea and Michael McFarland spoke with St. Louis Public Radio about the benefits of the bill for victims.
“It would give them more time to work through their own pain and suffering,” he said.
Yandell filed a lawsuit against Kanakuk Camps in 2022, claiming his family was tricked into signing a settlement agreement after he was sexually abused by camp director Peter Newman. Yandell and his parents claim they agreed to the settlement because Kanakuk leaders told them that the camp had no previous knowledge of misconduct by Newman.
Thrasher said the bill gives victims more years to process what they’ve experienced “before re-traumatizing themselves and trying to bring a lawsuit against an organization — or re-face the perpetrator themselves.”
He acknowledges that the bill is limited; there would be no retroactivity. “We would have to amend the state constitution. There’s more steps involved,” Thrasher said. “It just becomes a bigger fight in order to get a law like that.”
Because these brave victims and their families come forward, awareness has grown of the immense harm that occurs when organizations like Kanakuk look the other way and enable abuse. Trey Carlock, a former camper who was abused by Newman, took his own life at age 29. His family disclosed his abuse in his obituary, motivating others to speak out.
“Because we were public about his abuse in that obituary, other families began reaching out and sharing their stories,” said Carlock’s sister Elizabeth Phillips. “And it became this mini ‘Me Too’ movement around Kanakuk victims connecting for the first time.