Am Law Features Ira Dizengoff, Firm Pro Bono Work on Tulsa Race Massacre Documentary

In its article “Tulsa Race Riot Documentary Director Relies on Akin Gump for Pro Bono Advice,” The American Lawyer featured the pro bono work of Akin Gump financial restructuring partner Ira Dizengoff and former associate Miles Taylor to support filmmaker Jonathan Silvers’ work on his documentary, Tulsa: The Fire and the Forgotten. The film documents the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, when approximately 300 Black Tulsans were murdered by white residents, and a thriving neighborhood was burned to the ground.

The article notes that the relationship began when Dizengoff met Silvers at a fundraiser for a documentary that the latter was planning to make on those who hunt for Nazi war criminals. Dizengoff offered the firm’s pro bono services on what he calls a “very important” documentary.

Thus, says Dizengoff, “When he brought the Tulsa massacre on our doorsteps, I thought there was no more important story and a perfect opportunity to shed light on this.” He added that the firm’s work on the Tulsa film consisted of “whatever Jonathan needed.”

The filmmaker notes that the efforts of Dizengoff, Taylor and the Akin Gump team included helping with appearance and location releases and copyright law as well as in negotiations with PBS and in connection with production liabilities, given that the documentary was made during the pandemic.

Silvers joined Taylor and others at the firm in May for a panel discussion on the film and the legacy of the Massacre.

The film, Tulsa: The Fire and the Forgotten, aired on PBS stations on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre. To learn more about the documentary and stream it in its entirety, click here.

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