On Dec. 3, 2024, students from the Loyola Justice for Atrocities Clinic (LJAC) took center stage in a landmark Holocaust property restitution case, Rep. of Hungary v. Simon, as co-authors of an amicus brief presented to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Over half a million Hungarian Jews perished during the Holocaust, their possessions seized and declared part of the national wealth. Survivors and their heirs are now seeking justice under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA).
LJAC students wrote an amicus brief supporting survivors like Rosalie Simon, advocating for the enforcement of the FSIA’s expropriation exception to ensure these claims can proceed in U.S. courts. The case presents complex legal questions regarding the tracing of confiscated assets after 75 years and the scope of the FSIA’s provisions.
Rosalie Simon and her fellow plaintiffs have spent decades seeking restitution for the injustices they endured during the Holocaust. LJAC’s work emphasizes the critical need for survivors to have access to legal recourse and an opportunity to share their stories. As oral arguments were presented, the LJAC students demonstrated their commitment to fighting for accountability on behalf of survivors of mass atrocities and in doing so, shaping the future of international law.
Rajika L. Shah, director of LJAC at LMU Loyola Law School and visiting associate professor, leads students in complex legal cases focused on reparation and accountability in international and domestic tribunals.
“Working on this case has given our students a unique opportunity to not only engage with complex legal issues but also advocate for Holocaust survivors whose voices demand to be heard,” said Rajika L. Shah, director of LJAC and visiting associate professor. “This is the heart of what we do at the Loyola Justice for Atrocities Clinic—ensuring the stories of survivors are not lost and that justice is pursued even decades after the fact.”
Although the Supreme Court’s decision in Rep of Hungary v. Simon will not be announced until mid-2025, the Loyola Justice for Atrocities Clinic remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for survivors. To learn more about LJAC’s impactful work, visit the Justice for Atrocities Clinic website.