David J. Strachman
Encyclopedia
David J. Strachman is a Providence, Rhode Island
attorney noted for his representation of terror victims in civil suits against terror entities including the PLO, Palestinian Authority, Hamas
and the Islamic Republic of Iran. He has won judgments on behalf of the victims of terrorism from each of these entities.
and a 1990 graduate of Boston University
School of Law.
Strachman’s approach to terrorism cases is credited with having “made legal history.” He describes his motivation as hoping to “create an economic disincentive for terrorists. If the terrorists know that they can be forced to pay a lot, can even be bankrupted, then they may rethink their strategy. Appeals to any sense of morality have failed; appeals to their pocketbooks may work."
Strachman won a landmark judgment against the Palestinian Authority in a case involving the 1996 murders of Brooklyn-born Yaron Ungar, a US citizen, and his pregnant Israeli wife, Efrat, whose car was attacked by Hamas militants. Those convicted of the crime were found to be carrying uniforms issued by the Palestinian Authority. Strachman was successful in attaching the U.S. assets of the Palestinian Authority as compensation for the victims.
In the case of Jenny Rubin, et al. vs. the Islamic Republic of Iran, et al., Strachman successfully sued the Iranian government for funding a 1997 Hamas bombing of the Ben Yehuda street mall in Jerusalem, which killed five and wounded 192. This was based on Iran's having financed Hamas, which made Tehran legally responsible for the actions of Hamas. The judge in the case, Ricardo M. Urbina
, noted that Iran budgets "between $50 million and $100 million a year sponsoring various organizations such as Hamas."
Strachman is attempting to collect the judgment by suing for possession of ancient Persian artifacts in museum collections, including that of the Oriental Institute
at the University of Chicago
. In doing so, Strachman has been criticized for valuing money over archaeological research.
In March 2008, the US government refused to support efforts by the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization
to avoid paying millions of dollars in lawsuit judgments to American families who were victims of terrorism.
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
attorney noted for his representation of terror victims in civil suits against terror entities including the PLO, Palestinian Authority, Hamas
Hamas
Hamas is the Palestinian Sunni Islamic or Islamist political party that governs the Gaza Strip. Hamas also has a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades...
and the Islamic Republic of Iran. He has won judgments on behalf of the victims of terrorism from each of these entities.
Biography
Strachman is a 1986 graduate of Brandeis UniversityBrandeis University
Brandeis University is an American private research university with a liberal arts focus. It is located in the southwestern corner of Waltham, Massachusetts, nine miles west of Boston. The University has an enrollment of approximately 3,200 undergraduate and 2,100 graduate students. In 2011, it...
and a 1990 graduate of Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
School of Law.
Strachman’s approach to terrorism cases is credited with having “made legal history.” He describes his motivation as hoping to “create an economic disincentive for terrorists. If the terrorists know that they can be forced to pay a lot, can even be bankrupted, then they may rethink their strategy. Appeals to any sense of morality have failed; appeals to their pocketbooks may work."
Strachman won a landmark judgment against the Palestinian Authority in a case involving the 1996 murders of Brooklyn-born Yaron Ungar, a US citizen, and his pregnant Israeli wife, Efrat, whose car was attacked by Hamas militants. Those convicted of the crime were found to be carrying uniforms issued by the Palestinian Authority. Strachman was successful in attaching the U.S. assets of the Palestinian Authority as compensation for the victims.
In the case of Jenny Rubin, et al. vs. the Islamic Republic of Iran, et al., Strachman successfully sued the Iranian government for funding a 1997 Hamas bombing of the Ben Yehuda street mall in Jerusalem, which killed five and wounded 192. This was based on Iran's having financed Hamas, which made Tehran legally responsible for the actions of Hamas. The judge in the case, Ricardo M. Urbina
Ricardo M. Urbina
Ricardo M. Urbina is a United States District Court judge in Washington, DC. He has taken senior status.Urbina earned a B.A. from Georgetown University in 1967. He received his law degree from the Law Center at Georgetown University in 1970. He began his legal career as a public defender. He...
, noted that Iran budgets "between $50 million and $100 million a year sponsoring various organizations such as Hamas."
Strachman is attempting to collect the judgment by suing for possession of ancient Persian artifacts in museum collections, including that of the Oriental Institute
Oriental Institute
Oriental Institute may refer to a number of institutes of Oriental studies:United States* Oriental Institute, Chicago, part of the University of ChicagoEngland* Oriental Institute, Oxford, part of the University of Oxford...
at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
. In doing so, Strachman has been criticized for valuing money over archaeological research.
In March 2008, the US government refused to support efforts by the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization
Palestine Liberation Organization
The Palestine Liberation Organization is a political and paramilitary organization which was created in 1964. It is recognized as the "sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people" by the United Nations and over 100 states with which it holds diplomatic relations, and has enjoyed...
to avoid paying millions of dollars in lawsuit judgments to American families who were victims of terrorism.