Episode 113 – Helping Holocaust Survivors

In this poignant episode of *Connected with Latham*, host Laura Atkinson-Hood reflects on the firm's nearly two-decade-long pro bono effort to help Holocaust survivors secure reparations from Germany for work performed in Nazi-controlled ghettos during World War II. The episode centers on the personal story of Isabel Sarfati, daughter of a Holocaust survivor, who recounts her journey to uncover her father’s hidden past after years of silence. Her meticulous research—driven by curiosity and a desire to understand her family’s history—led her to discover critical documents and oral testimony that ultimately helped her family qualify for both the ZRBG pension and GGWP one-time payment. With the support of Latham & Watkins attorneys, including Anna Bravo, who has led the initiative for nearly 20 years, Isabel’s case was successfully advanced despite initial rejections and bureaucratic hurdles. The episode underscores the profound dignity and practical impact of these reparations, which have provided life-sustaining financial support for survivors living in poverty and poor health. It also highlights the emotional weight of the work, the importance of intergenerational healing, and the power of pro bono legal advocacy in confronting historical injustice. The conversation reveals how legal complexity—such as narrow definitions of 'non-forced' labor, the five-year work requirement under German pension law, and the recognition of previously unrecognized ghettos—posed significant barriers. Latham’s success stemmed from cross-office coordination, innovative research using tools like JewishGen, and the compassionate collaboration with survivors. The episode closes with a powerful call to action: to honor the past by continuing to apply legal expertise to global human rights issues, emphasizing that pro bono work is not limited to licensed attorneys but is a shared responsibility across all professionals. The legacy of this effort is not just financial compensation, but the restoration of recognition, memory, and dignity.