March 27, 2026
Willkie is highlighted in an article by Global Investigations Review on the law firms that are leading the effort to hold Syria and other state sponsors of terrorism accountable in Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) litigation.
The article noted that Willkie, ranked in GIR 30, is one of the leading law firms whose strength in cross-border corporate investigations have helped it bring cases in the U.S. on behalf of victims of terrorism under the terrorism exception of the FSIA. GIR reported that Willkie partner Michael Gottlieb is among a select group of former federal prosecutors who have brought FSIA claims against the Syrian government for human rights abuses committed by ousted president Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Michael has excelled over several years in a series mass action lawsuits against state sponsors of terrorism, leading a Willkie team in securing more than $4 billion in total damages for Gold Star Families, wounded servicemembers and U.S. victims of terrorism. The claimants have subsequently received compensation from the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism (USVSST) Fund.
Read the article “From Boardroom to Battlefield: The Investigations Lawyers Taking Assad to Court” in GIR here (subscription may be required).
The article noted that Willkie, ranked in GIR 30, is one of the leading law firms whose strength in cross-border corporate investigations have helped it bring cases in the U.S. on behalf of victims of terrorism under the terrorism exception of the FSIA. GIR reported that Willkie partner Michael Gottlieb is among a select group of former federal prosecutors who have brought FSIA claims against the Syrian government for human rights abuses committed by ousted president Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Michael has excelled over several years in a series mass action lawsuits against state sponsors of terrorism, leading a Willkie team in securing more than $4 billion in total damages for Gold Star Families, wounded servicemembers and U.S. victims of terrorism. The claimants have subsequently received compensation from the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism (USVSST) Fund.
Read the article “From Boardroom to Battlefield: The Investigations Lawyers Taking Assad to Court” in GIR here (subscription may be required).
