Jean, et al., v. Dorélien
Claims of torture, arbitrary detention, extra-judicial killing, and crimes against humanity asserted under the Torture Victims Protection Act, the Alien Tort Claims Act, and customary international law against a former Colonel in the Haitian Armed Forces and member of the military junta that ruled Haiti from 1991 to 1994.
Principal Attorneys
Dwayne Williams
Co-Counsel
Matt Eisenbrandt, Center for Justice and Accountability
Description
Lexiuste Cajuste sued Colonel Carl Dorélien, who had won a Florida state lottery, for torture and arbitrary detention by soldiers under Dorélien's command during April and May of 1993. Marie Jeanne Jean sued for the extra-judicial killing of her common law husband and her children's father Michel Pierre during the military's massacre of civilians in the fishing village of Raboteau on April 22, 1994.
Status
Clients awarded a $4.3 million federal jury verdict.
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The Nepal Truth and Reconciliation Commission Pro Bono Project
Comprehensive, neutral survey of law and scholarly opinion for Nepal's mission for peace.
Principal Attorney
Jeff Seul
Description
Request by co-facilitators of Nepal's peace process to produce a memo that surveys international law and scholarly opinion on the various approaches states have used to enforce the rights of victims of human rights abuses and war crimes and stabilize peace at the end of a civil war. Neutral information regarding the state of international law was needed to help the people of Nepal develop legislation that simultaneously provides redress to the victims, helps secure the peace, and satisfies Nepal’s obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law.
Status
"Legal Memorandum Regarding Development of Nepal’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission Bill" presented to the co-facilitators of Nepal's peace process and Nepal's Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction on November 26, 2008
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Tilousi, et al. v. Arizona Board of Regents, et al.
Representation of members of Native American Havasupai Tribe of Arizona in claims of deceit and lack of informed consent for tribal members’ blood samples
Principal Attorneys
Steve Hanlon, LaKeytria Felder
Co-Counsel
Albert M. Flores of Phoenix, Az.
Description
Native American Havasupai Tribe of Arizona and 53 individual members of the Tribe file suit in response to an unauthorized human genetics project designed by Arizona State University (ASU) researchers, in which ASU and others knowingly exploited the Tribe’s valuable genetic resources in the late 1980s and early 1990s under the auspices of a program to prevent and treat the diabetes epidemic afflicting the Tribe.
Status
The Arizona Court of Appeals, by a 2 to 1 vote, found in the Tribe members' favor, reversing the trial court's summary judgment order and remanding the case to the trial court.
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Medical Experimentation Without Informed Consent
Diaz v. Tampa General: Class action establishing right of bodily integrity for human subjects.
Principal Attorneys
Steve Hanlon, Elizabeth Bevington
Description
Class action on behalf of low-income, high-risk pregnant women who were unknowing subjects of medical experimentation at a public hospital.
Status
$3.8 million settlement.
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Pay Day Lender Preying on Military Stopped
Injunction obtained against pay day lender using Internet contracts to cover usurious loan rates.
Principal Attorneys
Buddy Schulz, Donny MacKenzie, Sarah Stoddard Toppi
Description
Internet service provider offered cash advances on future paychecks. Temporary, then permanent injunction obtained on behalf of numerous borrowers.
Status
Permanent injunction obtained.
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Student Loan Scam: Concord Career Institute
Action on behalf of students of this institute who did not receive medical and dental education as promised.
Principal Attorneys
Robert Beckham, Donny MacKenzie
Description
Claim alleged that school targeting inner-city students was a sham that failed to prepare students for employment.
Status
81 claims totaling $113,191 cash and $36,571 in discharged loans settled.
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