Brownstein attorneys are providing pro bono support for the European Shoah Legacy Institute (ESLI), an international NGO dedicated to restoring property stolen during the Holocaust.
In an initiative co-chaired by Brownstein’s Lee Crawford Boyd, Brownstein attorneys throughout the firm are assisting the ESLI’s research team with a survey that catalogs the scope of global restitution and compensation legislation, as well as the impact of regulations on property confiscated or otherwise misappropriated during the Holocaust era. This involves extensive research on restitution legislation in the countries that have endorsed the 2009 Terezin Declaration, which addresses the restitution of property lost during the Holocaust. By endorsing the Terezin Declaration, 47 nations agreed to continue and enhance their efforts to right the wrongs committed against groups persecuted during World War II. The Brownstein team’s assistance on the study promotes ESLI’s work to construct a searchable international database where Holocaust victims and their families can learn about their rights under this legislation.
Lee’s professional background includes a focus on international human rights and restitution cases. “We are honored to be working with the ESLI on restoring property from the Holocaust era to its rightful owners,” said Lee. “Brownstein was built on a culture of giving back, which is why we support the work of the ESLI. Through their organization, our team has the potential to impact many lives and provide the restitution community a legal resource that will prove useful for generations to come.”
As part of its international monitoring and advocacy mandate, ESLI focuses on five main unresolved issues in the post-Holocaust world: Welfare of Holocaust Survivors and Other Victims of Nazi Persecution; Restitution/Compensation for Immovable Property; Recovery of Looted Art; Recovery and Study of Judaica Objects; and Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research. To learn more, visit: http://shoahlegacy.org.