Ali Herischi

Ali Herischi is the founder and principal attorney of Herischi & Associates, LLC, and the driving force behind the Herischi Human Rights Law Center. With deep expertise in international human rights litigation, he is dedicated to holding state sponsors of terrorism and repressive regimes accountable in U.S. courts. His practice focuses on representing victims of torture, extrajudicial killings, state-sponsored terrorism, and other grave human rights abuses, while also providing strategic counsel in sanctions compliance, immigration, and complex civil litigation.

​

Mr. Herischi has successfully litigated numerous landmark cases against the Islamic Republic of Iran under key U.S. statutes, including the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) terrorism exception (§ 1605A), the Torture Victim Protection Act (TVPA), the Alien Tort Statute (ATS), the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) as amended by JASTA, and related frameworks. His notable victories include:

​

• Mehrangiz Kar et al. v. Iran: Representing the family of tortured and killed journalist Siamak Pourzand, including prominent human rights lawyer Mehrangiz Kar. The court awarded plaintiffs more than $34,000,000 in damages.

• Amirentezam et al. v. Iran: On behalf of the family of Abbas Amirentezam, Iran’s former deputy prime minister and longest-serving political prisoner, who endured decades of torture until his death in 2018. The court awarded $19,500,000.

• Masih Alinejad v. Iran: Representing anti-regime activist Masih Alinejad after the regime kidnapped and tortured her brother in an attempt to silence her. She received a judgment of $3,325,000.

• Saharkhiz v. Iran: On behalf of the family of journalist Isa Saharkhiz, who was tortured after his 2009 arrest. The court awarded $5,000,000.

• Lakestani v. Iran: Securing more than $14,000,000 for a client who suffered severe torture resulting in foot amputation and loss of vision.

• Oveissi v. Iran: Obtaining a $37.5 million judgment for the family of General Gholam-Ali Oveissi, assassinated in Paris with Iranian support.

• Mahmoudzadeh v. Iran: Representing the family of a U.S. citizen killed in an Iranian drone and missile attack — one of the only known direct drone killings of an American — with damages exceeding $166 million.

​

In addition, Mr. Herischi represents the families of the crew members of the MT Sanchi oil tanker, a Panamanian-flagged, Iranian-owned vessel that sank in the East China Sea in 2018 following a collision. The lawsuit alleges that Iranian entities, including the National Iranian Tanker Company, engaged in misconduct and provided false information to the families regarding the circumstances of the crew’s deaths. He also represents victims and families of Ukrainian International Airlines Flight PS752, which was shot down by IRGC missiles over Tehran in January 2020, killing all 176 people on board. This case seeks to hold the Islamic Republic of Iran and the IRGC accountable for aircraft sabotage, extrajudicial killing, and related acts of terrorism.

​

These cases, along with many others, reflect Mr. Herischi’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing clients’ pursuit of justice, amplifying victims’ voices, and driving systemic change through engagement with U.S. and international legal mechanisms. He regularly represents important international and national (Iranian) cases that have far-reaching implications for human rights and accountability.

​

In addition to his high-profile human rights litigation, Mr. Herischi has helped hundreds of immigrant asylum seekers from more than 20 countries in various venues, including before USCIS and Immigration Courts nationwide. He has passionately advocated for asylum applicants, removal defense, humanitarian parole, and related immigration matters, often drawing on his own experience as an immigrant to provide compassionate and effective representation.

​

Due to his extensive litigation experience against Iranian entities and his life in Iran prior to residing in the United States, Mr. Herischi is widely recognized as an expert in Iranian matters, including sanctions regimes, terrorism financing, and related regulatory issues.

​

A graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law (Juris Doctor), Mr. Herischi was actively involved during his studies as President of the International Law Society for two years, Vice President of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Group, and a competitor in the ABA regional negotiation competition. He received the University of Maryland’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Diversity Award for his leadership in rebuilding the Gulf Coast legal system after Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Information Systems and Technology from the Johns Hopkins University School of Engineering and a Bachelor of Science from Tehran Azad University.

​

Before entering the legal profession, Mr. Herischi worked as an engineer at Hughes Network Systems, where he designed and implemented satellite communication solutions for major enterprise clients including Walmart and Murphy Oil. This technical background enhances his ability to handle complex cases involving technology, sanctions, and international regulatory matters.

​

Mr. Herischi is admitted to practice in the following jurisdictions:

​

• Maryland

• U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

• U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

• U.S. Court of Federal Claims

• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Cicuit

​

Mr. Herischi’s work and advocacy have been featured in major international media outlets, including The New York Times, Bloomberg, ABC News, Euronews, Salon, CNN, FOX45, Deutsche Welle (DW) Radio, NPR, Voice of America (VOA), Iran International, and BBC. He is passionate about pro bono work and community service, with his firm maintaining a program that provides free legal assistance to low-income individuals in priority areas such as family law, elder law, housing, and public benefits.

​

Through his work at the Herischi Human Rights Law Center, Ali Herischi continues to combine rigorous legal advocacy with a personal commitment to justice, accountability, and the protection of human rights on both domestic and international stages.

​

Contact Ali Herischi for a confidential consultation.