The day following the abduction of Robert Levinson in March, 2007, David L. McGee, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and friend to Mr. Levinson and his family, was told by Chris Levinson, Bob’s wife, of his disappearance. Since that day, Dave, Sonya Dobbs, his paralegal, and others on the Beggs & Lane team have worked to bring Bob home and to hold the Islamic Republic of Iran accountable for his abduction. On October 1, 2020, more than 13 years after his abduction, a federal court in Washington, D.C. has rendered a judgment in the Levinson family’s suit against Iran. The judgment of $1.457 billion is the largest ever in a case brought against a terror state pursuant to the Federal Sovereign Immunities Act, but it is no source for celebration. It is large because it reflects the immense pain and emotional trauma suffered by Mr. Levinson, his wife and seven children and the egregious behavior of the Iranian government in its treatment of both Mr. Levinson and his family. Every member of the Levinson family would gladly surrender the award for the safe return of their husband and father.
The judgment was rendered by Judge Timothy J. Kelly of the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C. It follows a trial held in December of 2019 in which the entire Levinson family testified.
The firm of Beggs & Lane is honored to have represented the Levinson family since the day Mr. Levinson disappeared in March of 2007 and will continue to represent this extraordinary family. We ask for your prayers for Mr. Levinson and his family.