TJSL Screens 9-11 Film on Halloween
October 19, 2011
“Out of the Ashes: 9/11”, an important and provocative film about the families of 9-11 tragedy victims, will be screened at TJSL on October 31. The film maker, Professor Marilyn J. Berger the Director of Trial and Advocacy at Seattle University Law School will be here for the screening to discuss her film.
The film highlights the legal, moral and ethical ramifications of the 9-11 Victims Compensation Fund, which was enacted by Congress after the tragedy to compensate 9/11 victims family members, raised many legal and ethical questions. The film addresses these issues by following seven families who were affected by the terrorist attacks and their struggle to obtain justice after losing their loved ones.
Professor Berger, a native New Yorker who founded the “The Films for Justice Institute” at Seattle University in 1995, was inspired to make this documentary after stories she heard about victims of 9/11 and their experiences with the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.
“The film documents an important time and event in American history, and the Victims Compensation Fund needed to be documented in a dynamic way– not just in a ‘paper-report’ but as a digital living record for all to study and learn about this unique Fund for compensating victims of a terrorist attack,” Berger said.
“Out of the Ashes: 9/11” features legal professionals who played an important role in helping 9/11 victims and families, including: Kenneth Feinberg, who was the final say in deciding the financial awards the U.S. government made to the 9/11 families; Brian Alexander, a lawyer at Kreindler & Kreindler, who defeated the airlines motion to dismiss the 9/11 lawsuits; and Deborah Greenspan, Deputy Special Master of the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, among many others.
“I believe it is important for law students to watch this documentary,” Berger said. “As future members of the legal profession there is much to learn about crafting novel remedies, representing grieving clients, and responsibilities to perform pro bono legal work as a member of the profession. The Fund is unique and many aspects raise issues we might consider implementing or adapting for the civil justice system.”
The screening will take place Monday October 31, at 11:15 a.m. in Room 323.
For more information on “Out of the Ashes: 9/11,” visit http://www.outoftheashes911.com.