Anti-Terrorism
Motley Rice seeks justice and accountability on behalf of survivors and families suffering from losses as a result of terrorist attacks. Our attorneys use civil litigation to not only recover for terror victims, but to expose and punish the financial sponsors of terrorist organizations in order to deter and disrupt future acts of terrorism.
Terrorist groups rely on continuous funding, often millions of American dollars, to recruit members, provide training, promote their organizations and provide logistical support for operations and attacks. This pioneering area of litigation ultimately aims to make an historical impact and bankrupt the individuals and entities that fund terrorism and hold them accountable.
Anti-terrorism litigation falls under the laws of the Alien Tort Claims Act of 1789 and the Antiterrorism Act of 1990, which allows a cause of action for American victims of terrorism at home and abroad to pursue litigation in the U.S. civil justice system. In 2001, Congress passed the USA PATRIOT Act and reinforced the legal rights of victims to deter and punish terrorists and their financial and material supporters in the United States and across the world. These lawsuits provide another powerful tool in the fight against international terrorism, complementing law enforcement, criminal cases and political efforts.
The 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
As the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks touched the lives of all Americans, Motley Rice has taken groundbreaking legal actions on behalf of many 9/11 survivors and families that lost their loved ones on that tragic day. The 9/11 litigation is about the demand for answers, pursuit of accountability and desire for a legacy that will prevent such devastation in the future.
Motley Rice lawyers represented 56 of the 96 families that opted out of the $7 billion, no-fault federal Victim Compensation Fund in In re September 11 Litigation, consolidated litigation involving aviation negligence, liability and damages cases against the airline and aviation security industries and seeking greater answers, accountability and recourse. Through these lawsuits, airlines, security companies, airports and aircraft manufacturers are being held responsible for their failures to implement basic security measures - failures which allegedly made the 9/11 attacks possible.
In addition to families we represented in personal injury cases against the aviation industry, Motley Rice represents more than 6,500 survivors, family members and those who lost their lives in the September 11th attacks in the 9/11 Families United to Bankrupt Terrorism case. Our attorneys lead a team of investigators, analysts and experts in a comprehensive, international effort to uncover the financial and material sponsors of al Qaeda and disrupt the cash flow of their terrorist activities.
Additionally, Motley Rice attorneys completed a considerable amount of pro bono work, personally helping families navigate the complex legal system and assisting them with September 11th Victims Compensation Fund claims.
Other Anti-Terrorism Lawsuits
Motley Rice's Anti-Terrorism and Human Rights practice group has also litigated cases involving terrorist suicide bombings in Israel and the bombing of PanAm Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland.
Motley Rice currently represents almost 6,000 individuals in Almog vs. Arab Bank, a lawsuit against an international bank allegedly financing life insurance payments to the families of suicide bombers who attacked innocent civilians in Israel. The suit is filed on behalf of people injured or killed in terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other Palestinian terrorist groups.
Motley Rice attorneys have submitted amicus briefing to the Supreme Court of the United States on the issue of corporate liability under the Alien Tort Statute on behalf of former U.S. government counterterrorism and human rights officials. The case is Esther Kiobel, et al. vs. Royal Dutch Petroleum Co., et al.; Case No. 10-1491.