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Miller & Chevalier's Litigation team is at the forefront of holding terrorist nations such as Iran and Syria accountable for their atrocities against U.S. citizens. The firm represents victims of torture and state-sponsored terrorism and files suit in U.S. federal court to hold such countries accountable for their crimes. These suits are filed under the terrorism exception to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA). Judgments obtained in these cases are submitted to the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism (USVSST) Fund, which provides monetary compensation to victims and their families.
Miller & Chevalier has brought eight cases on behalf of victims and their families. Five of those cases resulted in a total of approximately $325 million in judgments, which includes approximately $149 million in compensatory damages. Three other cases are pending in federal court.
Representative Engagements
- Azadeh v. Islamic Republic of Iran, 1:16-cv-01467-KBJ (D.D.C.). Afsaneh Azadeh was imprisoned and tortured for months by the Iranian regime. Miller & Chevalier sued Iran in U.S. district court and, in September 2018, obtained a judgment of over $36 million, including over $18 million in compensatory damages. The USVSST Fund has accepted Ms. Azadeh's application for compensation.
- Dawes v. Syrian Arab Republic, 1:21-cv-02730-RC (D.D.C.). Kevin Dawes was illegally arrested by the Syrian regime, then imprisoned and tortured for almost four years. Miller & Chevalier sued Syria in U.S. district court on his behalf. In October 2023, the Court issued a judgment of approximately $50 million, including almost $25 million in compensatory damages. The USVSST Fund has accepted Mr. Dawes' application for compensation.
- Goodwin v. Syrian Arab Republic, 1:23-cv-00267-CKK (D.D.C.). Sam Goodwin was abducted by the Syrian regime and held for over two months in a notorious Syrian prison. Miller & Chevalier sued Syria, and in May 2025, the firm obtained a judgment of approximately $20 million on behalf of Mr. Goodwin, including over $10 million in compensatory damages. The USVSST Fund has accepted Mr. Goodwin's application for compensation.
- Ghodstinat, et al. v. Islamic Republic of Iran, 1:23-cv-03175-CRC (D.D.C.). Alireza Bijan Ghodstinat, Fred Fraidon Korangy, and Bahar Najd Korangy were illegally arrested and detained by the Iranian regime for two years before they escaped. Mr. Ghodstinat and Mr. Korangy were held in Evin Prison, a notorious political prison, where they were tortured and abused. Ms. Najd Korangy was also abusively interrogated at Evin Prison. Miller & Chevalier filed suit against Iran on their behalf. In August 2025, a U.S. district court issued an $85 million judgment, which included compensatory damages totaling more than $28 million.
- Estate of Majd Kamalmaz v. Syrian Arab Republic, 1:2024-cv-02136 (D.D.C.). Majd Kamalmaz was a psychiatrist who dedicated his life to counseling victims traumatized by war and natural disasters. He was abducted, imprisoned, tortured, and killed by the Syrian regime when tried to visit a sick family member in Syria and set up a clinic to treat those traumatized by the Syrian civil war. Miller & Chevalier filed suit on behalf of Mr. Kamalmaz's estate and family members. In February 2026, a district court issued a judgment totaling approximately $134 million.
- Jaraki v. Syrian Arab Republic, 1:24-cv-03534-PLF (D.D.C.). Dr. Jaraki is a U.S. citizen and physician. During a trip to Syria to visit his ill mother, Dr. Jakari was illegally arrested and held captive in a notorious Syrian prison, where he was interrogated and tortured. Miller & Chevalier filed suit against Syria on behalf of Dr. Jaraki and his wife. Syria failed to appear to defend the suit, and Miller &Chevalier filed a Motion for Default Judgment in February 2026.
- Mihsen v. Syrian Arab Republic et al., 1:25-cv-01550 (D.D.C.). Mr. Mihsen is a U.S. citizen who was detained while traveling to Syria to visit his mother. He was baselessly arrested, tortured, and imprisoned for 15 years by the Syrian regime. His torture and interrogation were overseen by Syrian officials and officials from the Islamic Republic of Iran. Miller & Chevalier filed suit against Syria and Iran in May 2025. Both nations failed to appear to defend the suit, and Miller & Chevalier filed a Motion for Default Judgment in March 2026.
- Estate of Jamil Samin v. Syrian Arab Republic, 1:26-cv-00068 (D.D.C). Mr. Samin was a U.S. citizen who worked as a volunteer for the U.S. embassy after returning to Syria to care for his aging parents. He was abducted by Syrian officials near his home in Homs, Syria, and subsequently, imprisoned, tortured, and killed by the Syrian regime. Miller & Chevalier filed suit on behalf of Mr. Samin's estate in January 2026.