Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 6210 Nathanson, James Wodarski, Amanda Carozza, and Yalonda Howze, and former Mintz Levin attorney Noah Shaw. On one of the trips to Mississippi, Larry, Noah, and Amanda met with plaintiffs and members of the Mississippi NAACP to observe the devastation and dire living conditions. “There was literally a racial divide in play, with wind-damaged victims who were disproportionately African-American intentionally being denied funds, so that the state could fund a Port development project that had nothing to do with the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. It was an extreme injustice,” Larry stated. Although the district court granted HUD’s motion to dismiss on standing grounds without granting a hearing, Mintz Levin promptly filed an appeal. The mounting pressure placed on HUD and the state of Mississippi eventually led to a settlement in the fall of 2010, in which previously ineligible wind damage victims were now eligible to receive up to $75,000 per home for repairs and reconstruction. Mintz Levin played a key role in the negotiation of the settlement, working with Reilly to thwart last-minute attempts by the state to insert bureaucratic hurdles that would make it more difficult for storm victims to obtain funds. “Mississippi attempted to create obstacles to tamp down participation and access to funds before the program was launched, which Mintz Levin was able to have relaxed,” Reilly said. Reilly reports that an overwhelming 17,000 people applied for assistance within 60 days of the settlement. In all, the settled lawsuit resulted in 5,253 families being helped, for a total of $213 million, with the last applicants receiving help nearly 10 years post-disaster. Reilly and his team monitored the outcome, and were pleased that key sections of the lawsuit precisely achieved the end result. Dorothy received her funding within three to four months. With that money, she was able to have her foundation leveled and to install a ventilation system. Today she is living and breathing a little more easily. “The attorneys kept a close eye on what was and wasn’t part of the negotiated agreement. I’m so thrilled with the work Mintz Levin has done.” Reilly Morse President and CEO Mississippi Center for Justice “Just because a door appears closed it does not mean that it is locked — nor that it will not open with the right heart, call or touch.” — Rasheed Ogunlaru 11