Stephanie R. Tuorto is a Senior Associate at Slater Slater Schulman and a tenacious advocate for survivors of sexual trauma. During her tenure at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, she successfully prosecuted hundreds of cases specifically involving adult and child survivors of sexual abuse. Stephanie frequently represents matters involving the Child Victims Act and the newly signed Adult Survivors Act.

Building a trustworthy rapport with survivors is Stephanie’s priority in every case. She values the process of getting to know her clients and understanding their needs for legal retribution. Using a team approach, Stephanie guides her clients with genuine compassion and support throughout every step of the legal process. She remains responsive and available to her clients, ensuring they are informed and confident about the trajectory of their claims.

Over the course of her career, Stephanie has prosecuted and tried several notable cases pertaining to survivors of sexual abuse and assault that have grabbed local and national media attention. In People v. Benjamin Fielman, Stephanie was involved in the investigation and prosecution against a Florida man who plead guilty to 27 accounts of child pornography and sexual abuse of children. In People v. Ruben Garcia, Stephanie prosecuted a school janitor who was found guilty after a jury trial of sexual misconduct and sexual abuse of a child which was affirmed on all appeals.  Most recently, Stephanie successfully conducted the murder trial of People v. Joseph Garcia, a Port Jefferson man who murdered an innocent victim in broad daylight which resulted in a 40-to-life sentence.

Stephanie has held prominent positions and received multiple recognitions because of her dedication to seeking justice for her clients.  She is a former recipient of the Unemployment Action Center Advocate of the Year (2013), the CALI Award for Academic Excellence in Criminal Trial Practice, and the CALI Award for Academic Excellence in Advanced Criminal Prosecution Externship. Additionally, Stephanie was the Associate Editor (2013) and Business Editor (2014) for the Touro Law Review. In 2014, she published an article about whether the introduction of breathalyzer records require a live witness at trial pursuant to the Sixth Amendment titled “You Blew It: The Confrontation Clause and Breathalyzers as Testimonial Evidence” (30 Touro L. Rev. 1175).

Outside of the firm, Stephanie volunteers to speak to law school and college students as a Suffolk County Women in the Courts Committee member. She was nominated for the position by Honorable Karen Kerr in 2017 and is passionate about empowering fellow female attorneys rising in the industry. Stephanie has served as a volunteer coach for Touro’s Mock Trial Team, a team she helped start and was the President of back in 2014.

When she’s not committed to the law, Stephanie volunteers coaching youth girl’s lacrosse teams. During her collegiate career, she was a 2x Division I Academic All-American Women’s Lacrosse Player and a member of the 2011 NEC Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship Team serving as the team’s Positive Play Captain.  She was also awarded the University’s Best Senior Thesis Award and Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities in 2011.

Stephanie graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in History from Quinnipiac University. She then obtained her Juris Doctor from Touro Law School with a Criminal Law Certificate.  Stephanie joined the Slater Slater Schulman team in May 2022. As a firm at the forefront of CVA cases, Stephanie was thrilled to start her journey advocating for survivors with a team that matched her passion for justice. Stephanie is permitted to practice in New York State courts.

Admitted:

• New York State Courts

• Childhood Sexual Abuse
• Adult Sexual Assault

• Juris Doctor with a Criminal Law Certificate – Touro Law School
• Graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in history – Quinnipiac University