They have won hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements on behalf of thousands of accident victims, many of them catastrophically injured. They have been lead counsel in several multi-plaintiff litigations. Mr. Barasch and his colleagues take special pride in the work they have done on behalf of injured New York City firefighters, winning landmark decisions that have shaped the law on their behalf. After helping scores of firefighters receive awards in their individual cases, the firm was thrust into the legal problems of those killed and injured in the World Trade Center attacks, representing the families of dozens of firefighters killed, as well as over 1,000 first responders who sustained permanent respiratory illnesses from the toxic dust at the WTC site.

Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein appointed Mr. Barasch as liaison counsel on behalf of all rescue workers injured or killed, and he worked closely with Kenneth Feinberg, the Special Master of the Victim Compensation Fund, to expand the rules of the Air Transportation Safety and Systems Stabilization Act. When the VCF closed in 2004, the firm fought to reopen it because many clients continued to be diagnosed with new illnesses caused by the toxic dust, and/or they were found disabled after they had received an award for a non-disabling injury.

In January 2011 President Obama signed the Zadroga Act into law, named in honor of the firm's client, NYPD Detective Jimmy Zadroga, who died of pulmonary disease in 2006 caused by WTC toxins. As a result, $2.4 billion has been made available for medical care and $2.7 billion has been set aside for compensation to those whose health has gotten worse since 2003. Mr. Barasch and his colleagues currently represent more than 5,000 sick first responders and residents."

Reported decisions concerning his cases include: In re 2001 World Trade Center Disaster Site Litigation, 521 F.3d 169 (United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, 2008); In re 2001 World Trade Center Disaster Site Litigation, 503 F.3d 167 (United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, 2007); Caridad v. Metro-North Commuter Rail Road, 191 F.3d 283 (United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, 1999); Wall v. Starbucks Corp., 211 A.D. 3d 767 (New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, 2nd Dept. 2022); Touray v. HFZ 11 Beach Street LLC, 115 N.Y.S.3d 877 (New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, 1st Dept. 2020); Silvas v. Bridgeview Investors, 912 N.Y.S.2d 618 (New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, 2nd Dept., 2010); In re 1993 World Trade Center Bombing Litigation, 856 N.Y.S.2d 583 (New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, 1st Dept., 2008); Hatzioannides v. City of New York, 833 N.Y.S.2d 630 (New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, 2nd Dept., 2007); and Gaslow v. Phillips Nizer Benjamin Krim & Ballon, LLP, 730 N.Y.S.2d 146 (New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, 2nd Dept., 2001)

He worked for many years on dozens of lawsuits brought against the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for security failures surrounding the 1993 World Trade Center Bombing. After discovery, successful trial and appeals, he resolved all of his clients’ claims before New York’s highest court, in an unexpected 2011 ruling, determined that governmental immunity shielded the Port Authority, entirely.

Following the September 11th attacks, he worked with a team of attorneys representing pro bono over 300 injured individuals and families who lost their loved ones in the first Victim Compensation Fund (“VCF”), recovering over $250 Million.

When the VCF closed its doors to new applications in December 2003, he served as liaison counsel in the federal lawsuits commenced against the City of New York for its failure to provide firefighters and police with OSHA-mandated respiratory protection at the World Trade Center site. He also directly represented nearly 700 first responders in a litigation that grew to over 10,000, with four of his cases selected for the first trials concerning September 11th toxic exposures and illnesses. The lawsuits concluded on the eve of trial, eight years later, in 2011, after scores of depositions, the production of millions of documents, motion practice, and two appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, resulting in a settlement of over $600 Million. The settlement coincided with the passage of the James Zadroga Act, reopening the Victim Compensation Fund. Mr. Carboy continues to represent individual claimants to the VCF, today.

Ben also worked on passing of the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights, the National Security Foreign Investment Reform and Strengthened Transparency Act of 2007 (C.I.F.U.S.), along with work on Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform legislation.

Prior to this, his work included: Chief of Staff to then Congressman Charles Schumer, Counsel to the Speaker New York State Assembly, Counsel To The Co-Chairman New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Development, counsel to the New York State Assembly Ways and Means Committee, and Deputy Counsel to the Queens Borough President.

Ben received his BA from Queens College and his JD from the City University of New York Law School at Queens College, where he was in the inaugural class.

In her role as Director of Social Services, Kara provides individual consultations, facilitates referrals to specialized services, and conducts intake assessments to ensure each member of the VOICES community receives personalized support tailored to their unique needs. She facilitates virtual support groups for the 9/11 Community and is spearheading efforts to expand awareness and engagement in VOICES support programs for individuals and families affected by tragedy.

In addition to working at NYU Stern, Kara taught at Montclair State University and has extensive experience in working with underrepresented youth and community programming. Kara is certified in trauma yoga instruction and group facilitation and has served on multiple boards committed to equity and empowerment. She brings a compassionate, holistic approach to clinical practice, shaped by her work in trauma-informed care and is committed to supporting the 9/11 Community and individuals impacted by tragedy.

Subsequent to JASTA Brett has worked extensively with Senators Blumenthal and Cornyn on the 9/11 declassification effort which is needed for the families to be successful in their pursuit of justice against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Brett worked with Senators Blumenthal and Cornyn to unanimously pass Senate Resolution 610 in addition to a joint letter signed by 5 bipartisan Senators to FBI Director Wray. Brett has advocated on the behalf of families on many national news outlets including Tucker Carlson, Fox and Friends and CBS’s This Morning.

Brett Eagleson’s father Bruce Eagleson worked for The Westfield Group, managing retail stores at the World Trade Center. Bruce was in a meeting on the 17th floor of the South Tower when the first plane hit the North Tower. Brett’s brother Kyle was able to speak with their father on his cellphone after both buildings had been hit. Bruce reassured Kyle that he was ok and wanted to make sure all 12 of his employees got out safely. Bruce was last seen by one of his colleagues walking up the stairs of the burning South Tower to ensure his office was clear and to grab portable two-way radios to give to the FDNY to help them communicate. All 12 of Bruce’s colleagues made it out alive.

A former private counterterrorism investigator, John litigates for foreign terror victims and victims of international human rights abuses in areas including Iraq, Libya, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates. He was a key member of the team that prosecuted Linde et al. v. Arab Bank Plc, the first litigation against a financial institution brought to trial under the Anti-Terrorism Act. He is also a member of the team litigating against al Qaeda's alleged financiers and supporters arising out of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. John oversees Motley Rice’s litigation against Iran for its role in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in addition to claims filed with the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund arising out of judgments entered against Iran for the firm’s 9/11 clients.

John went through years of surgeries and innumerable hours of therapy; as well as extensive hospital stays and mounting medical expenses. Once out of the hospital, John made it his mission to alleviate the Heroes of 9/11 from the burdens he experienced and created the FealGood Foundation. The foundation assists First Responders and others who have been physically or mentally injured as a result of their rescue, recovery and clean-up efforts at the WTC site. John has helped pass 19 pieces of legislation in DC, NYS, NJ and Michigan. Through his organization, he has donated $10 million over the last 20 years, built a memorial and donated a kidney.

Frank retired from IBM in 2005 after a career of nearly 33 years. He held a variety of sales and executive positions including Global Client Director and Vice President, Alliances in the Computer Services Industry. Following his retirement from IBM, he established Fetchet Consulting LLC which helped firms with their route-to-market and distribution strategies.

Frank resides in New Canaan, CT with Mary, his wife of more than 50 years. He graduated from Youngstown State University and was an IBM Certified Client Director, having participated in the Harvard Executive Program. Frank and Mary have three sons, Wes, Chris - and Brad, who perished at the age of 24 on 9/11.

Her unique background as a mother of a victim along with 29 years of expertise as a clinical social worker, influenced VOICES creation of a new paradigm in providing long-term support services that promote mental health care and resilience. Using social work practices, she developed a wide array of innovative programs that provide continuity of care and promote resilience in the lives of those impacted. VOICES has served tens-of-thousands of victims’ families, survivors, responders, and families of those who have died of 9/11-related illnesses.

Ms. Fetchet is equally committed to leveraging VOICES over two decades of expertise to assist communities in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from other tragedies. Working collaboratively with public-private partnerships in the United States and abroad, she shares lessons learned, provides training and conducts research. More recently she is creating VOICES Community Preparedness Training, A Victim-Centered Approach to Prepare for, Respond to, and Recover from Tragedy, a two-day training for community stakeholders that will be launched in September, 2023.

A strong advocate for victims’ rights and mental health care for victims’ families, responders and survivors, Ms. Fetchet provides a unique perspective on the long-term needs of those impacted by tragedy. As an advocate for public policy reforms to make the country safer, she was instrumental in advocating for the establishment of the 9/11 Commission which led to sweeping government intelligence reforms and testified on five occasions before the United States Congress and the 9/11 Commission. Ms. Fetchet has served on dozens of advisory boards including the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, INVICTM, the Family Steering Committee for the Establishment of the 9/11 Commission, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Ms. Fetchet is a co-author of several publications based on research findings from, “Investigating the Long-term Impact of Bereavement due to Terrorism.” As a pioneer in preparing communities, she led the creation of Preparing for After: How to Help Victims of Mass Violence and VOICES of Experience: Helping Communities Heal After Traumatic Events.

A 1994 graduate of Columbia University School of Social Work (CUSSW), Ms. Fetchet has received numerous awards for her work, including the induction into the Hall of Fame at Columbia University School of Social Work, ABC News Person of the Year, and NBC News Making a Difference.

For his work with the Police, he received two commendations from the Head of Counter Terrorism, Matt Jukes, and Head of Prevent, Vicki Evans.

Outside of his work with the Police and intelligence services, Travis has delivered workshops to hundreds of thousands of young people across the UK, being named an OBE - an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire - for his work in January 2024. Following this, he was appointed to a position in the Royal Household as one of His Majesty’s personal representatives for the county of Lancashire, a Deputy Lieutenant, in November 2024.

Now, Travis runs his own counter-extremism organisation, Resilience in Unity, and serves as the Chief of Secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Terrorism & Security, a committee within the UK Parliament advising policymakers on matters of national security, counterterrorism, and support for victims.

In addition to the Missing Persons Team, Carl supervises the World Trade Center DNA Identification Unit, acts as a manager for the Family Assistance Center for New York City during mass fatality events, and is an integral member of the team that created, organizes, and continues to host New York City’s Missing Persons Day.

She attends hearings at the Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay Cuba and joins 9/11 families in litigation and legislative efforts seeking accountability and justice for victims of terrorism. She publishes in 9/11 community forums, social media platforms, Substack, and her website at www.worldtradewidow.com, and is currently writing a memoir.

In addition to making films, Bridget also works with Barasch & McGarry as an advocate for the 9/11 community in New York. Her latest project, “Dust: The Lingering Legacy of 9/11”, chronicles the surge in post-9/11 related illnesses and cancers that are turning survivors into victims.

Robert represents more than 6,600 family members and survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He is co-liaison counsel and an active member of the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee for Personal Injury and Death Claims in In re Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001, seeking to expose and bankrupt the alleged financiers and supporters of al Qaeda. Robert also played a central role in In re September 11th Litigation, involving more than 50 personal injury and wrongful death clients against the aviation and aviation security industries for their alleged failure to detect and prevent the 9/11 attacks.

Robert has also represented terrorism victims in litigation against Arab Bank for allegedly supporting Hamas.

In 2016, she became inaugural Chief Psychiatrist for VAC, and their Lead Author on the CAF-VAC Joint Suicide Prevention Strategy. In 2019, she served on the Ontario Chief Coroner’s Expert Panel on Police Officer Deaths by Suicide and worked with the Public Health Agency of Canada to develop the Federal Framework on PTSD.

In March 2020, she led a Task Force for the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment, creating resilience supports for first responders during the pandemic, the COVID-19 Readiness Resource Project (CRRP). In 2022, she appeared as an expert witness for the Mass Casualty Commission investigating the 2020 shooting rampage in Portapique, Nova Scotia.

In 2022, she led creation of a Knowledge Hub, the Canadian Institute for Pandemic Health Education and Response (CIPHER), a federally funded project to mobilize mental health resources for workers affected by COVID-19.

Dr. Heber has published and presented nationally and internationally on trauma and mental health in Military, Veteran, and Public Safety Personnel. She co-chairs the Canadian Military Sexual Trauma Community of Practice, and she is Lead Author on the Glossary of Terms 3.0.

After serving on the law faculty at Rutgers University-Camden and the University of California Hastings College of the Law, she became the 14th president of Mills College, the first women’s college west of the Rockies. In 2022, she was appointed chair of the independent Military Justice Review Panel, chartered by Congress to review and assess the operation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. She served on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine study group that issued a landmark 2018 report on sexual harassment and on the Response Systems Panel, which made recommendations for improving the U.S. military's investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of sexual assault in 2014.

A recipient of the U.S. Department of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service and the CalVet Trailblazer Award from the California Department of Veteran Affairs, she is a member of American Law Institute and the Council on Foreign Relations and holds degrees in engineering, law, and history from Duke, Yale, and Penn.

Colleen co-founded September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, an organization twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. She currently serves as the Co-chair of the group's Rule of Law Committee. Colleen has traveled numerous times to attend the pre-trial hearings of the 9/11 accused at Guantanamo.

Colleen is a family nurse practitioner specializing in Adolescent Medicine. Additionally, she has a Masters in International Relations from the City College of New York.

He has handled cases arising from crashes involving major commercial airlines and was appointed by the Federal Court as a member of the Plaintiffs’ Committee in the litigation arising out of the crash of Swissair Flight 111. He has also been appointed by the Federal Court as a member of the Plaintiffs Committee for liability arising out of the September 11 attacks. Subsequent to the terrorist attacks, Mr. Kushlefsky established himself as one of the Nation’s leading experts on the September 11 Victims’ Compensation Fund, representing more than 120 families in the VCF.

She continues to assist the 9/11 community, helping them enroll for medical and mental health services that are available for those who qualify, including a variety of compensation programs. Additionally, Ms. Landau serves as VOICES representative at external events and forums, coordinating partnerships with nonprofits, various service providers, and community stakeholders.

Stephanie co-presents with Voices Founder and Director, Mary Fetchet in providing summary overviews of the “Preparing for After” and other trainings and is helping to develop the revised Voices Center Preparedness Training curriculum, comprised of over 20 hours of training modules for community stakeholders. Over the past 18 years, Stephanie has provided thousands of hours of case management services to assist 9/11 families, survivors, and responders in accessing resources and support services.

As project manager for the 9/11 Living Memorial Project, Stephanie conducted hundreds of workshops in communities throughout the tri-state area and Washington, D.C. Her team met with over 1,600 families to create tributes to their loved ones in the 9/11 Living Memorial Project resulting in over 87,000 photographs that VOICES donated to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. In addition to meeting with victims’ family members, she implemented the program to collect survivor and responder stories and other firsthand accounts and compiled data for over 1,000 memorials.

Ms. Landau’s responsibilities also include the management of VOICES high school and college internship programs. She continues to participate in other 9/11-related events such as 9/11 Memorial & Museum Community Nights, special exhibit openings and anniversary services.

Andrew participated in one of the largest personal injury settlements in history in the state of Connecticut (a charter plane crash at the Bridgeport, CT Airport) and also participated in several of the largest recoveries in history under the Military Claims Act involving a 1996 Air Force plane crash in Dubrovnik, Croatia. He also achieved a rare reversal from the NTSB of their previous conclusion of pilot-error based on his investigation of a product defect following a helicopter fatality.

Andrew has tried dozens of cases in state and federal courts throughout the U.S. in a wide variety of matters beyond aviation, building on the earlier part of his career spent as a Federal Prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. There he investigated cases with the FBI, DEA, ATF, Secret Service, U.S. Marshals, NYPD, and several other law enforcement agencies, trying cases and arguing appeals on behalf of the United States. Prior to this, he served as law clerk to the late SDNY District Judge Lloyd F. MacMahon.

Andrew’s pro bono activities include winning a five-year fight with the U.S. Department of Justice to gain well-deserved recognition, under the Federal Public Safety Officer’s Benefits Act, for Glenn Winuk, a volunteer firefighter and EMT who died on September 11, 2001, trying to save others. As a result, the American Association of Justice (AAJ) awarded Mr. Maloney “Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year.” Mr. Maloney, a volunteer firefighter himself, served at the World Trade Center in the days after the attacks.

After his transition to the private sector, Matt became a busy and talented medical malpractice defense attorney, successfully handling a large caseload, assisting at numerous jury trials including the questioning of witnesses, and obtaining numerous favorable decisions granting motions for summary judgment or procedural dismissals to Matt’s clients in complicated medical malpractice actions brought by some of New York City’s best plaintiff’s attorneys. At the same firm, he added the defense of multi-state pharmaceutical and medical device cases to his resumé, working on all of the above simultaneously.

Matt then became senior litigation counsel at another large New York firm. There, his earlier background as both a police officer and certified paramedic made him a natural fit to develop the firm’s nascent practice in the representation of first responders in 9/11-related matters. Before graduating law school, Matt had been a New York City police officer assigned to Manhattan North, Queens North and to the Deputy Commissioner of Legal Matters. In the latter position, he had served as a liaison between the NYPD and other city, state and federal agencies in high profile cases. Prior to and during his NYPD career, and even during the early years of his legal career, he continued to work as a paramedic in Westchester County and New York City. On September 11, 2001, shortly after the initial attacks on the Towers, he had instinctively reported for duty to Ground Zero as a volunteer first responder from his job at the Second Circuit federal appeals court several blocks away.

Several years after the dust and smoke from that tragic day was thought by most to have cleared, but when it actually became apparent that first responders and many others involved in the rescue, recovery and clean-up work at Ground Zero were falling ill with various diseases at young ages, Matt joined forces with some of the country’s best legal and political advocates to feverishly lobby for the passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010, affording benefits and compensation to ill and injured first responders and civilian survivors through the creation of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, administered by the U.S. Department of Justice. Matt and other dedicated advocates of the crucial legislation successfully redoubled their efforts and, in 2015, and then again in 2019, got Congress to reauthorize the Zadroga Act. He has dedicated himself to fighting for the cause of the September 11th first responders and civilian survivors for as long as the need may exist.

Matt joined the firm in 2016 and became a principal partner in 2019. Continuing to work as a 9/11 advocate, he has obtained millions of dollars in awards from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, for first responders (including not only police officers and firefighters, but also construction and iron workers, sanitation workers, civilian volunteers and many others) in their subsequent role as victims and survivors of the terrible, medical aftermath of those devastating events. Matt also spends considerable time and effort (on a pro bono basis) informing first responders and qualifying civilian survivors about the World Trade Center Health Program (administered by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and getting them enrolled as participants. This enables their health to be monitored regularly, at no cost to them, by doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals specializing in occupational and environmental illnesses, often providing for the earliest possible medical intervention to address a 9/11-related disease.

In addition to his diverse litigation and 9/11-related work at the firm, Matt serves as a town prosecutor for the Town of Mamaroneck. During law school, he was appointed as a student assistant district attorney in the New York County (Manhattan) District Attorney’s Office, where he prosecuted domestic violence cases. He was also selected as a student intern by the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, where he worked with federal prosecutors on terrorism cases. He is dedicated to his family and church, is an active member of his Parish, and holds board member positions on a school foundation and various youth sports organizations, for which he also coaches. He is admitted to practice law before the courts of the State of New York, Commonwealth of Massachusetts and District of Columbia, and before the United States District Courts for the Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of New York and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Dr. McKinnon is known for her work characterizing trauma-related illness and PTSD among military members, Veterans, public safety personnel, and survivors of childhood abuse and trauma. She is involved in the development and testing of novel treatment interventions aimed at often-unexplored aspects of PTSD, including guilt and shame, moral injury, dissociation, and cognitive dysfunction.

Dr. McKinnon served as the Chair of the federally funded ATLAS Institute's Research Reference Group, and she works closely with government sectors, including Veterans Affairs Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces, and the Public Health Agency of Canada. Dr. McKinnon has published more than 180 peer-reviewed papers and chapters, and holds funding from numerous federal and provincial bodies, including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (where she also holds a research fellowship), the Department of National Defense, Veterans Affairs Canada and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board of Ontario.

Most recently, Dr. McKinnon was funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada to create a national, publicly available, online mental health resource, CANEMERG, for all Canadians and First Responders affected by large-scale disasters.

Over the past decade with the OCME, Dr. Odien has played an essential role in the ongoing identification efforts of the victims of the September 11th attacks. In her capacity as the Lead WTC Anthropologist, she serves as the primary liaison, providing direct communication, support, and information to the families of 9/11 victims.

Dr. O’Neill has developed learning communities, peer-reviewed materials, presented at national and international conferences, and provided trauma-informed care and consultation following incidents of mass violence. She is a consultant for the NMVC, the OVC VOCA Center, and OVC TTAC, responding to MVIs and supporting long-term recovery and consultation in many communities, including New Orleans, Virginia Beach, Gilroy, Nashville, Perry (IA), Allen (TX), Columbine, and Vienna, Austria. She has served on numerous advisory groups and response teams dedicated to disaster mental health, peer support, and survivor services, including the Vibrant Emotional Health Crisis Emotional Care Team, the Disaster Distress Helpline Steering Committee, the American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Team, and S.T.O.P.

Internationally, Dr. O’Neill is a member of the European Union Hub of Experts on Victims of Terrorism and has contributed to United Nations initiatives on victims’ rights, justice, and memorialization, presenting at the First Global Congress for Victims of Terrorism at UN Headquarters, providing testimony for the development of the model legislative provisions, and providing expert consultation for the development and launch of VOTAN (Victims of Terrorism Associations Network).

She maintains a private counseling practice, is an adjunct instructor in the graduate counseling psychology program at Chestnut Hill College, and is an adjunct lecturer for the Institute for Disaster Mental Health at SUNY New Paltz. Dr. O’Neill earned her doctorate in health sciences with a focus on mental health, where her dissertation explored social support in communities impacted by hate-motivated mass shootings; the findings are being prepared to be presented for publication.

Continuing forward with her work and drawing on her background and interest in assisting those affected by crime, Ms. O’Sullivan began an appointed term as Canada's Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime on August 16, 2010 and completed her term on November 15th, 2017. During her time as Ombudsman, Ms. O’Sullivan continually placed a strong emphasis on ensuring that victims’ voices were heard at the federal level and pushed for positive change for victims of crime in Canada, including making recommendations to the Government of Canada on legislative and policy amendments.

She is currently the Executive Director of LinCT-AA Canada, Chair of the International Network Supporting Victims of Terrorism and Mass Violence (INVICTM), and past Chair of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) National Working Group Supporting Victims of Terrorism and Mass Violence. She is also a founding member of Victim Support Asia, a member of the International Victims Focus Group for Operation Kenova, and the Deputy Chair of the Counter Terrorism Preparedness Network (CTPN) – Humanitarian Assistance and Psychosocial Expert Working Group. In 2018, she was appointed to the National DNA Data Bank Advisory Committee.

Throughout his career, he held leadership roles in multiple regional, federal, and joint task forces, including the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, NYPD HIDTA, and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force. He served as the Commander of the Rescue and Recovery Operation at the World Trade Center from September 11, 2001, until its conclusion in June 2002, and has been involved in every aspect of the rebuilding mission. His career reflects a deep commitment to public safety, interagency collaboration, and national resilience.

John won New York Press Club Awards in 2025 and 2019 for his coverage of the Sept. 11 case and was a Finalist for Best News Reporting in 2021 by the Society of Professional Journalists’ New York Chapter (The Deadline Club). His forthcoming book on the 9/11 case and the military commissions, America’s Trial, is set for release in Summer 2025.

Before joining Lawdragon, John reported for the Los Angeles Daily Journal, where he was named a “Print Journalist of the Year Finalist” by the Los Angeles Press Club from 2003 to 2005, won two “Best Magazine Feature” awards, and earned a “Best News Feature, Runner Up” distinction for his story on the legal-defense efforts for accused terrorists Zacarias Moussaoui and Yaser Hamdi.

His international reporting has taken him to South Africa, The Hague, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, and Rwanda to examine how post-conflict societies pursue accountability for war crimes and human rights abuses. He holds an MA in human rights studies from New York University and a BA from Colby College.

Central to the 9/11 litigation has been the effort to hold the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia accountable for its role in aiding, abetting and sponsoring the 9/11 attacks. During several years of “jurisdictional discovery,” Gavin has led investigations into the roles and reporting lines of key Saudi government employees and agents who were based inside the U.S. in the pre-9/11 era and who arranged and provided vital forms of support to the Al Qaeda hijackers.

Prior to this role, Allison oversaw all grant functions for the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (“SMART”). Previously at the SMART office, she had oversight over the team working with American Indian tribes to implement the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. For their efforts, she and her team received the Assistant Attorney General Award for Exceptional Service.

Allison previously served as the Deputy Director of the Federal, International, and Tribal Division at OVC. She oversaw the Antiterrorism Emergency Assistance Program, including the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program, National Mass Violence Victimization Center, and OVC's Mass Violence victim support program. As Deputy Director, she also provided guidance and resources for Federal partners’ victim services programs. In addition, she led the tribal victims' services program, including the creation of innovative and efficient processes to help the Department effectuate a massive increase in funding for the first ever Tribal Victim Services Set Aside Program, and the creation of the Tribal Financial Management Center.

Before her Federal service, Allison was the Director of the National District Attorneys Association's (“NDAA”) National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse (“NCPCA”), where she managed program activities and staff; and trained and provided technical assistance nationwide on child abuse, maltreatment, sexual exploitation, computer facilitated crimes against children, and domestic violence. She has also authored numerous articles on these topics. Prior to her position at NDAA, Allison was a prosecutor for over 11 years, serving in New York and Illinois. She was an Assistant District Attorney in the New York County District Attorney's Office for more than nine years, where she tried a wide variety of felony cases.

Allison was born and raised in New York City, and although living in the Washington D.C. area for the past 20 years, considers herself a lifetime New Yorker. Before beginning her legal career, Allison was a police officer and lieutenant for eight years in the Philadelphia area. She received her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and her J.D. from Temple University School of Law.

On September 11, 2001, Jay’s brother Glenn J. Winuk, an attorney, volunteer firefighter and EMT, was killed in the line of duty at the World Trade Center. Inspired by his brother’s devotion to community service and courageous actions, Jay joined David Paine in 2002 as co-founder in helping to build the 9/11 Day Observance initiative. He has become a passionate advocate for volunteering and national service.

Jay is a frequent public speaker and a leading national voice about volunteerism, charitable service, terrorism, individual empowerment and his own experience as the brother of a murdered 9/11 first responder. His work, commentary and personal story have been featured in major news media reports, documentaries and books throughout the nation and world. Jay was a featured speaker at the nationally televised ServiceNation “Presidential Candidates Forum” at Columbia University, representing the 9/11 family community and delivering his remarks just prior to those of candidates U.S. Senators Barack Obama and John McCain.

Since co-founding MyGoodDeed, Jay has spoken about charitable service and volunteerism before dozens of audiences – including at national conferences, corporate and annual meetings, press conferences with national legislative leaders, charitable events, on Capitol Hill, at colleges and high schools and more. Opinion pieces and articles Jay has written about these themes have been published by numerous media outlets and organizations, including CNN.com, Yahoo News, the National Constitution Center, Gannett Newspapers, McClatchy, Maria Shriver.com, the HandsOn Network, The Record and the United States Department of State, which invited Jay to write a piece for its publication, “Resilience After Terrorism,” which was distributed to all U.S. embassies around the world in 2011.

In June 2011, Jay received from President George H.W. Bush and the Points of Light Institute the “Daily Point of Light Award” for “creating meaningful change in communities across America” and “helping to shape a better tomorrow for our nation.” In September 2008, Jay and David received the “President’s Call to Service Award” from The White House, one of the nation’s highest civilian service honors. In December 2011, Jay received the “Most Inspiring Person of the Year” Award” from Beliefnet, the largest online resource for inspiration and spirituality. In September 2011, he and David were awarded the “Teammates in the Community Award” by the New York Mets and the Citi Foundation for their work promoting service and volunteerism.

In recognition of his work in the national service sector, and as a tribute to his late brother Glenn, Jay was invited by U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton to be her guest at President George W. Bush’s final “State of the Union” address on January 28, 2008. Upon the killing of terrorist Osama Bin Laden by the U.S. military in May 2011, Jay was invited by the White House to be among a select group of 9/11 family members to meet privately with President Barack Obama.

In association with his late brother’s law firm, Holland & Knight, Jay directs the Glenn J. Winuk Humanitarian Fund, which provides scholarships to college students demonstrating a record of community service and makes other charitable grants.

In addition to his leadership role for MyGoodDeed, Jay serves as president of Winuk Communications, Inc., the public relations agency he founded in 1994. He has won numerous national public relations awards, including Silver and Bronze Anvils from the Public Relations Society of America, the industry’s highest honors, and has provided PR support to many of the nation’s leading corporations, nonprofits and other organizations. Previously, Jay was an executive at Burson-Marsteller and Golin/Harris, two of the nation’s top 10 PR firms, and served as director of public relations for Radio City Productions, the nation’s leading live entertainment company. He also was a partner and managing director of Dirty Water Integrated, a branding/advertising/PR agency. Over the years, Jay’s clients have included the NFL Alumni Association, The Coca-Cola Company, General Foods, the city of Berlin, Pfizer, Kreindler & Kreindler, a Journey for 9/11, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, Citibank, Clear Channel Entertainment, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Robert K. Futterman & Associates and many others. Jay began his career in the nonprofit sector, serving as the director of public relations for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston. He earned a master’s degree in public relations from Boston University and a B.A. degree in communications from the State University of New York at Oneonta.