Sam Shapiro

Obtained a $3.5 million settlement for the twelve named plaintiffs in Nunez v. New York. This class action suit was brought by ECBAWM together with the Legal Aid Society’s Prisoners’ Rights Project on behalf of inmates at Rikers Island who were severely injured by correctional officers and to make systemic changes to halt the excessive violence plaguing the jail there. Nunez, et al. v. New York, et al., No. 11 Civ. 5845 (S.D.N.Y.).  Read more here and here.

Secured the disclosure of materials relating to the Madoff fraud for use in a Swiss criminal proceeding. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals held that the materials sought were appropriately subject to disclosure under 28 U.S.C. § 1782, and the Court ordered the immediate production of the materials. In Re Application for an Order Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1782 to Conduct Discovery for Use in Foreign Proceedings, No. 14 Civ. 2807 (2d Cir.).

Examined and cross-examined witnesses on behalf of a bank and real estate development company in a four-week trial involving a commercial lease dispute in federal court against Home Depot. Home Depot U.S.A., Inc. v. G&S Investors/Willow Park L.P. et al., No. 98 Civ. 6719 & 00 Civ. 0676 (E.D.N.Y.).

Obtained a favorable monetary settlement for the family and estate of James Young, an unarmed man who was choked to death by a member of the NYPD while sitting alone on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. Young v. City of New York, et al., No. 12 Civ. 4190 (E.D.N.Y.).