Robert Levinson is America’s longest held hostage.  He has been held by the Iranian government for almost 13 years.  Iran has held Mr. Levinson incommunicado during that time, allowing no contact with his family or anyone outside of his jailers.  Iranian officials have publicly denied any knowledge of Mr. Levinson’s whereabouts while simultaneously engaging in secret negotiations in which they sought to extort concessions from the United States in return for Mr. Levinson’s release.

Beggs & Lane has brought suit against the Islamic Republic of Iran under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA), 28 U.S.C. § 1605A, on behalf of Mr. Levinson, his wife, and their seven children for Iran’s use of torture and their holding of Mr. Levinson as a hostage.  On December 4th and 5th, our trial team of David McGee, Nix Daniel, and Matthew Massey presented the Levinsons’ case to the United States District Court in Washington, D.C.  The evidence included emotional testimony from Mrs. Levinson and all seven of the Levinson children, testimony from experts on Iran’s practice of torturing prisoners, and testimony of the former FBI supervisor who investigated the case.  U.S. District Court Judge Timothy J. Kelly took the case under advisement.

A ruling on Iran’s liability is expected soon with a ruling on damages to follow.

J. Nixon Daniel, III is Managing Partner of the firm. He represents individuals and major corporations in litigation and internal investigations around the country and has tried over 100 cases to verdict in state and federal courts.

David L. McGee is a Partner in the firms’ litigation group.  Prior to entering private practice, he served for six years as the First Assistant at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida and for seven years as the Lead Attorney for a United States Department of Justice Organized Crime Task Force.

Matthew P. Massey practices in the areas of white collar criminal defense, government investigations, and commercial litigation.  He is a former Assistant United States Attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.