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September 11th, 2001 Litigation: Justice for Families & Survivors

September 11th, 2001 Litigation: Justice for Families & Survivors

Motley Rice fights for justice, even in difficult and unusual circumstances. This is the story of a 25-year quest to deliver justice for 9/11 survivors and the families of 9/11 victims.

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Written by:
Jodi Flowers
Member

Practice areas:Anti-Terrorism Lawsuit, Consumer Fraud Protection, Human Rights Lawsuits

A veteran of the courtroom, Jodi Westbrook Flowers seeks to protect the health, safety and rights of consumers, families, children, workers, and victims of crime and terrorism. Jodi has litigated a wide range of cases involving tobacco, asbestos, lead pigment, aviation disasters, consumer fraud, cybersecurity and product defects, as well as terrorist financing and human rights violations. She represents public entities seeking to hold opioid manufacturers and distributors accountable for allegedly deceptive marketing and distribution practices that contributed to the nation’s opioid crisis. Jodi filed some of the first complaints by parents against Meta for harm to children caused by Instagram and other social media companies in the multidistrict litigation, in which bellwether trials are underway, in the In re: Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation; Case No. 22-md-3047-YGR (CAND).

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Last Updated:August 27, 2026

The Legal Team

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Case Overview

Ever since the catastrophic attacks on September 11, 2001, Motley Rice has led the charge with groundbreaking litigation against those who gave material and financial support to al Qaeda. Motley Rice lawyers strive to fulfill the promise our co-founder Ron Motley made to families affected by the terrorist attacks: “We’ll leave no stone unturned, I can assure you of that.”

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Key takeaways about September 11th, 2001 litigation

  • In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Motley Rice represented thousands of survivors and families of victims in filing a lawsuit against al Qaeda’s benefactors.
  • Motley Rice also worked to hold airlines and others accountable for aviation security failures prior to the attacks.
  • Motley Rice continues to fight for compensation, answers and accountability on behalf of 9/11 victims.

Taking action against the supporters of terrorism

In August 2002, Motley Rice filed a civil lawsuit against those historically linked to sponsoring al Qaeda. Included in this group are people, banks, corporations, charities and foreign states. We brought this civil action to court on behalf of 600 survivors and family members of 9/11 attack victims.

Since this action — Thomas Burnett Sr. et al v Al Baraka Banking and Investment, et al — was filed, the number of plaintiffs has grown to include more than 8,800 survivors and family members. The action has been consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York as In re Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001, MDL No. 1570, where Motley Rice attorneys serve as lead counsel for the wrongful death and personal injury plaintiffs.

Looking to the future of September 11th, 2001 litigation

Our attorneys continue to seek civil justice for September 11th, 2001 victims and their families. By uncovering the structures and resources of those who materially support terrorist groups, the civil justice system plays an important part in preventing future attacks.

The principles of safety and freedom from terrorism are the basis for this lawsuit. It seeks to deter, punish and bankrupt individuals and entities that fund terrorism, and remove their means of sponsoring or promoting terrorism in the future.

Sept. 11, 2001: The road to justice

The world watched in horror after American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m., September 11, 2001. A second plane, United Airlines Flight 175, crashed into the World Trade Center’s South Tower minutes later. American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon building less than an hour after the first attack.

After a delay in takeoff, passengers and crew aboard United Airlines Flight 93 learned of the attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., and fought back against hijackers on the plane, forcing their attackers to crash into a field in Pennsylvania before it could reach its intended target.

Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives in the attacks, making the tragedy the deadliest terrorist attack ever on U.S. soil. Nineteen hijackers with weapons carried out the attacks and used the planes as missiles in a plan to destroy targets in New York City and Washington, D.C.

Survivors and family members of the deceased desperately sought answers and accountability in the tragedy’s wake, and their fight for justice continues to this day. Over the past 25 years, they have captured the world’s attention and shone a light on terrorism. They have enacted laws to hold the supporters of terrorism accountable and sever their financial pipeline.

Searching for answers and fighting for accountability

After the attacks, Motley Rice attorneys led and continue to lead the charge to develop groundbreaking complex litigation against the financiers and material supporters of the terrorist organization al Qaeda.

Motley Rice privately began a worldwide search for witnesses and information related to the 9/11 attacks and al Qaeda financiers.

Our work led our investigators and attorneys to dozens of countries. Our team uncovered astonishing evidence of the methods used by al Qaeda to plan and carry out the September 11th attacks and to finance their activities.

A timeline of key events in September 11 litigation

In keeping with late Motley Rice co-founder Ron Motley’s “no stone left unturned” discovery philosophy, Motley Rice lawyers are prosecuting the case under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for September 11 families and survivors demanding accountability for material support provided to al Qaeda.

In a case with more than 10,000 docket filings, it would be impossible to identify all the legal milestones. Here are some of the key events that unfolded on their journey to justice over the past 25 years. For a full timeline of events surrounding the September 11 litigation, see our timeline page.

September 11 litigation timeline

09.28.25

Saudi Arabia’s motion denied

A U.S. District Court judge rejected an argument made by Saudi Arabia to dismiss the case. The court found the undisputed facts of the case allow it to hear the case, thus continuing the path toward trial.

09.04.24

Sudan appeal denied

An appeals court denied a challenge made by Sudan, moving the case closer to the discovery phase before trial. The court found that the country was not immune from liability for providing material support to al Qaeda prior to the 9/11 attacks. 

05.16.24

American Victims of Terrorism Compensation Act (AVTCA) introduced

Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY), as well as Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), and Dan Goldman (D-NY) introduced the AVTCA. This bipartisan bill would provide guaranteed funding for the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism (USVSST) Fund. In years prior, victims did not receive distributions due to insufficient funds.

09.11.21

20 years after 9/11, Motley Rice is still hard at work

Twenty years after the 9/11 attacks, Motley Rice continued to press for transparency and accountability. In the lead up to the anniversary, we took depositions of Saudi witnesses, disclosed experts and had experts testify regarding claims against charities.

09.03.21

President Biden signs order for review and declassification of documents

In an executive order, President Biden required a review of documents from the U.S. government’s investigation into the 9/11 attacks. Among other things, it created reporting obligations to justify “each decision not to declassify information."

08.27.20

Saudi officials to sit for depositions

U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn issued an order requiring Saudi officials to sit for depositions.

09.10.19

Post and Courier publishes article about Motley Rice’s 9/11 litigation

The Post and Courier published “18 years after 9/11, an SC man’s lawsuit against foreign government kicks into high gear.” The article features Motley Rice attorney Robert Haefele.

09.28.16

Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) becomes law

Congress overrode President Obama’s veto to pass JASTA. The law helps ensure that foreign sponsors of terrorist attacks on U.S. soil can be held accountable in U.S. civil courts.

07.15.16

U.S. releases missing pages from its joint inquiry into the 9/11 attacks

The government released the missing 28 pages from its Joint Inquiry into Intelligence Activities Before and After the Terrorist Attacks of September 2001. This happened roughly 14 years after the documents were first hidden in a vault under the Capitol.

09.11.14

Motley Rice donates a foreseeability timeline

Motley Rice donated a foreseeability timeline to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. It outlines events over several decades that should have alerted authorities to the possibility of an imminent attack.

09.19.11

Final wrongful death lawsuit about aviation security reaches resolution

The Bavis family reached an agreement with United Airlines and Huntleigh USA, bringing to an end nearly a decade of wrongful death litigation in connection with the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

09.19.07

Settlements do not deter September 11 plaintiffs seeking trials

Plaintiffs announced 14 settlements related to 9/11 lawsuits in September 2007. Others maintained their desire to see their cases through trial. In an article in the New York Times, Motley Rice attorney Don Migliori explained that those who settled “had reached a point where they were satisfied that the mix of their motivations — from compensation to accountability, to answers — was satisfied.”

06.05.05

Post and Courier details Motley Rice’s growing documentation surrounding the 9/11 attacks

The Post and Courier reported on Motley Rice’s growing trove of records detailing the scope of the attacks and the financial backing of global terrorism in its article, “Database uncovers links terrorists work to conceal.”

07.22.04

The 9/11 Commission Report released

The 9/11 Commission released its official findings on the events that led up to the terrorist attacks. The bipartisan commission reviewed millions of pages in documents, and interviews involving more than 1,200 across several countries during the nearly two-year investigation.

03.14.04

The New York Times Magazine features story on Motley Rice’s work on 9/11 cases

The New York Times Magazine ran an article called “Can a trial lawyer expose Saudi complicity in terrorism?” It details Motley Rice’s work to sue prominent Saudis in connection with the September 11 attacks. 

08.15.02

Ron Motley announced 9/11 case filing

On August 15, 2002, Motley Rice co-founder Ron Motley announced the filing of groundbreaking litigation against the financiers and material supporters of the terrorist organization al Qaeda in a press release. You can also watch the press conference here.

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Flag of Honor

"We are thankful to have had a law firm like Motley Rice that was willing to stand by us and fight for the truth."
- The Family of Mark Bavis (3.13.1970 - 9.11.2001)
  Passenger on United 175

Our anti-terrorism litigation experience

Motley Rice attorneys have decades of experience working with victims of terrorism in the United States and abroad. Much of our work is enabled by the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). The ATA allows victims to sue terrorists and material supporters of terrorism in U.S. courts. Defendants may include individuals, banks and other entities or states that provide financial and material support to terrorists.

Knowledgeable anti-terrorism lawyers can organize and present complex litigation involving numerous parties. Qualified counsel will work to provide compensation and accountability for those who harmed them and their families. Read more on our anti-terrorism litigation experience.

Press coverage

Inquiries: communications@motleyrice.com

The Terrorism Files | The Post & Courier | Sept. 10, 2019
Judge in 9/11 Suits Feels No Regret That None Ever Went to Trial | New York Times | Sept. 9, 2016
Senate passes bill allowing 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia | Reuters | May 17, 2016
Unfinished Business From 9/11 | New York Times | April 22, 2016
Administration wrong about terrorism sponsor act | CNN | April 19, 2016
Secret 28 Pages of 9/11 Report Under New Scrutiny | NBC News | April 18, 2016
Who helped the 9/11 hijackers when they were in the U.S.? | 60 Minutes | April 10, 2016
9/11 Families, Except One, Receive Over $7 Billion | ABC News | Aug. 23, 2011
Among 9/11 Families, a Last Holdout Remains | New York Times | Sept. 10, 2010
A Nation Unto Himself | New York Times Magazine | March 14, 2004

Relevant documents

Civil litigation of any type includes a discovery process that often uncovers many documents related to the case. Below are some of the most notable documents related to the 9/11 legal cases.

Plaintiffs' reference materials

Transcripts

Letters and press releases

Related cases

Related court documents

In re Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001

Review key documents in this litigation.

Taking action against the supporters of terrorism

Sept. 11, 2001: The road to justice

September 11 litigation timeline

Our anti-terrorism litigation experience

Relevant documents

About the Authors

Jodi Westbrook Flowers | Motley Rice Attorney

Jodi Westbrook Flowers

Member

A veteran of the courtroom, Jodi Westbrook Flowers seeks to protect the health, safety and rights of consumers, families, children, workers, and victims of crime and terrorism. Jodi has litigated a wide range of cases involving tobacco, asbestos, lead pigment, aviation disasters, consumer fraud, cybersecurity and product defects, as well as terrorist financing and human rights violations. She represents public entities seeking to hold opioid manufacturers and distributors accountable for allegedly deceptive marketing and distribution practices that contributed to the nation’s opioid crisis. Jodi filed some of the first complaints by parents against Meta for harm to children caused by Instagram and other social media companies in the multidistrict litigation, in which bellwether trials are underway, in the In re: Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation; Case No. 22-md-3047-YGR (CAND).

Robert T. Haefele | Motley Rice Attorney

Robert T. Haefele

Senior Counsel

Robert Haefele has spent more than 35 years practicing in complex civil litigation, including asbestos, tobacco, mesh, and other mass tort and product liability litigation. His area of primary emphasis involves anti-terrorism and human rights, analyzing and litigating complex, domestic and international matters to meet clients’ goals of justice and accountability while simultaneously achieving positive social change.