Washington, DC, May 21, 2025 – Miller & Chevalier Chartered secured a judgment of over $20 million against the Syrian Arab Republic on behalf of Samuel Goodwin, an American citizen who was unlawfully detained and tortured for 63 days by the former Assad regime.

Goodwin was abducted by the Assad regime in May 2019 and interrogated and tortured at a prison in Damascus known as Branch 215. U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly awarded Goodwin $20,201,620 in damages ($10,100,810 in compensatory damages and $10,100,810 in punitive damages) in response to the lawsuit filed under the under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act's (FSIA) "state sponsor of terrorism" exception. Roughly half of the judgment is payable through the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund (USVSST), which was established by and is funded with sanctions proceeds. 

"Nations that violate international human rights standards must face consequences, and courageous survivors like Sam help ensure the world does not ignore the atrocities perpetrated by the Assad regime," said Kirby Behre, a Member in Miller & Chevalier's Litigation department and lead counsel for Goodwin. "While nothing can completely compensate for Sam's suffering, this represents yet another powerful step forward in the broader effort to confront those responsible for such grave injustices." 

Miller & Chevalier is at the forefront of holding state sponsors of terrorism, including Iran and Syria under the Assad regime, accountable for their atrocities against U.S. citizens. In October 2023, the firm secured a judgment of approximately $50 million for Kevin Dawes, a U.S. citizen who was illegally arrested, imprisoned, and tortured in Syria. In July 2024, the firm filed suit on behalf of Majd Kamalmaz and his family; Mr. Kamalmaz was a U.S. citizen who was kidnapped, imprisoned, tortured, and killed in Syria. In December 2024, the firm filed a lawsuit on behalf of Dr. Omar Jaraki, an American physician who was brutally tortured for 40 days in a Syrian prison. Most recently, the firm filed a suit against both Syria and Iran on behalf of Assef (Matt) Mihsen, a U.S. citizen who was illegally and baselessly arrested, tortured, and imprisoned on false charges for 15 years.

Goodwin was represented by Behre and Miller & Chevalier attorney Cody Marden.

About Miller & Chevalier 

Founded in 1920, Miller & Chevalier is a Washington, DC law firm with a global perspective and leading practices in Tax, International Law, Litigation, ERISA, White Collar Defense and Internal Investigations, Government Contracts, and Government Affairs. Miller & Chevalier is a top-ranked firm sharply focused on targeted areas that interact with the federal government. A significant number of firm lawyers have held senior positions in the U.S. government and have written many of the regulations they currently help clients navigate. For more information on the firm, visit www.millerchevalier.com.  

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