Kashef v. BNP Paribas SA trial team named finalist for Public Justice’s 2026 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award

Hausfeld LLP recognized for landmark human rights victory on behalf of Sudanese refugees. 

The trial team in Kashef v. BNP Paribas SA—including attorneys from Hausfeld LLP, DiCello Levitt, Hecht Partners LLP, and Zuckerman Spaeder LLP—has been named a finalist for Public Justice’s 2026 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award, recognizing a landmark human rights victory on behalf of Sudanese refugees harmed by atrocities committed during the al-Bashir regime in Sudan.

The Public Justice Trial Lawyer of the Year Award is a prestigious national recognition presented annually to a trial lawyer or team of lawyers who have used exemplary skill and dedication to advance the public interest, protect the environment, or uphold consumer rights through a significant, recent legal victory. This award honors impactful legal work that results in systemic change and holds powerful interests accountable.

The recognition follows a historic federal jury verdict in Kashef v. BNP Paribas SA, in which the trial team successfully held BNP Paribas accountable for providing financial services that supported the Sudanese government during a period in which it carried out widespread and devastating human rights abuses. The bellwether trial marked a significant step forward for survivors seeking accountability from financial institutions whose conduct enabled mass atrocities.

Hausfeld served as co-lead counsel in the matter alongside Hecht Partners LLP.

The Hausfeld team included Michael D. Hausfeld, Amanda Lee-DasGupta, Mary Sameera Van Houten Harper, James D. Gotz, Claire Rosset, and Percy Metcalfe.

Co-counsel included DiCello Levitt attorneys Bobby DiCello, Ken Abbarno, Greg Gutzler, Carrie Syme, Scott Gilmore, Mark DiCello, Adam Levitt, Joseph Frate, and Madeline Harding; Hecht Partners LLP attorneys Kathryn Lee Boyd, David L. Hecht, Maxim Price, Kristen Nelson, and Michael Eggenberger; and Zuckerman Spaeder LLP attorneys Cy Smith, Aitan D. Goelman, and Josh Mathew.

Hausfeld’s Human Rights practice represents individuals and communities in high-stakes human rights litigation, standing up to authoritarian regimes and powerful corporations on behalf of victims of genocide, terrorism, trafficking, torture, censorship, systemic racism, and plundered art works and assets. The practice is recognized for advancing complex, high-impact cases that drive accountability and meaningful change.

The Kashef matter builds on Hausfeld’s longstanding commitment to human rights advocacy and accountability litigation in cases involving international corporate conduct and mass atrocity harms.

The winner of the 2026 Public Justice Trial Lawyer of the Year Award will be announced at The 44th Annual Public Justice Gala & Awards Presentation in Chicago on July 27, 2026.