"We take pride in advocating for our clients and striving for justice on behalf of victims human rights violations around the world."
Ali Herischi
At Herischi Law, our primary mission is to prioritize our clients’ interests and their pursuit of justice. On a broader scale, we are dedicated to advancing human rights litigation, amplifying the voices of victims, and engaging with international bodies to drive systemic change. We employ strategic legal approaches to access international mechanisms whenever possible, contributing to the evolution of both international human rights law and U.S. legal frameworks.
We litigate our cases under a robust framework of U.S. laws, including the Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA), the Alien Tort Claims Act (ATCA), the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) as amended by the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) terrorism exception, and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). These powerful legal instruments enable us to hold perpetrators and state actors accountable, ensuring that victims of human rights abuses receive the justice and remedies they deserve.
Our track record demonstrates a consistent commitment to securing significant victories against the Islamic Republic of Iran and related entities on behalf of victims of torture, extrajudicial killings, hostage-taking, and terrorism. We have obtained substantial judgments that not only provide compensation to our clients but also help establish accountability and deter future abuses. Key successes include:
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Mehrangiz Kar et al. v. Iran: Representing the family of prominent Iranian journalist and activist Siamak Pourzand (tortured and killed in Iran), including his wife, renowned human rights lawyer Mehrangiz Kar. The court awarded the plaintiffs more than $34,000,000 in damages against Iran.
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Amirentezam et al. v. Iran: On behalf of the family of Abbas Amirentezam, former interim government spokesperson and deputy prime minister, who endured decades of torture and imprisonment as Iran’s longest-serving political prisoner until his death in 2018. The court awarded $19,500,000 in damages against Iran.
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Masih Alinejad v. Iran: Representing prominent anti-regime activist and journalist Masih Alinejad, whose brother was kidnapped and tortured by the regime in an attempt to silence her. She received a judgment of $3,325,000against Iran.
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Saharkhiz v. Iran: On behalf of Mehdi Saharkhiz, whose father, journalist Isa Saharkhiz, was tortured after his 2009 arrest for criticizing the regime. The court awarded $5,000,000 in damages against Iran.
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Lakestani v. Iran: Representing Akbar Lakestani, who was arrested, tortured, and left with severe medical complications (including amputation of his foot and loss of vision) after visiting his sick mother in Iran. We secured a judgment for more than $14,000,000.
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Oveissi v. Iran: On behalf of the family of General Gholam-Ali Oveissi, assassinated in Paris by Islamic Jihad at the direction and with the support of Iran and its Ministry of Information Security. We secured a judgment of $37,500,000.
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Mahmoudzadeh v. Iran: Representing the family of U.S. citizen Omer Mahmoudzadeh, killed in an Iranian missile and drone attack on a Kurdish refugee camp in northern Iraq—the only known case of a direct Iranian drone strike killing an American. The court awarded approximately $166,000,000 in total damages (including $150 million in punitive damages).
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Doe et al. v. Iran: Representing victims of Iran’s missile attack that shot down Ukrainian International Airlines Flight PS752 over Tehran, following Iran’s strikes on the U.S. airbase in Iraq. This case continues our work holding the regime accountable for mass casualties resulting from its actions.
These landmark cases reflect our expertise in navigating complex international human rights and terrorism-related litigation. Through persistent advocacy, we not only deliver meaningful remedies to our clients but also contribute to the global fight for accountability, transparency, and justice.
Whether you are a victim of human rights abuses seeking redress or need strategic legal representation in related matters, Herischi Law stands ready to advocate fiercely on your behalf. Contact us to learn how we can support your pursuit of justice.
