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A union for legal aid lawyers has agreed to pay $315,000 to three of its attorney members who claimed the labor group tried to expel them for opposing a pro-Palestine resolution they viewed as antisemitic, according to counsel for the attorneys Thursday.

The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, representing Association of Legal Aid Attorneys members Ilana Kopmar, Diane Clarke, and Isaac Altman, revealed the settlement in a news release. A New York federal judge closed the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) case in October after the parties informed the court that a resolution had been reached.

Settlement Terms Include Training and Statement

In addition to the $315,000 payout, the union agreed to issue a statement acknowledging that communications surrounding the resolution were “hurtful” and “inappropriate.” The settlement also requires the ALAA to host mandatory training on union members’ rights for its executive board.

“Labor unions are supposed to be advocates for social justice and workplace equality,” said Kenneth L. Marcus, chairman of the Brandeis Center. “To find the oldest hatred in such places is deeply antithetical to their mission. This settlement is a landmark in the fight against antisemitism in this sector.”

Legal Background

The ALAA, a United Auto Workers local representing lawyers and legal advocates, was sued in federal court in July 2024. The dispute arose after Kopmar, Clarke, and Altman sought a temporary restraining order in November 2023 to block the adoption of a pro-Palestine resolution, which passed in December 2023. The resolution called for an end to Israeli apartheid and the occupation and blockade of Palestinian land and endorsed an economic boycott of Israel.

The attorneys claimed that after filing their TRO bid, the ALAA attempted to expel them in retaliation — labeling them “snitches” and “Zionist ghouls” — violating the LMRDA, New York State and City Human Rights Laws, and Title VII.

U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken dismissed the Title VII and state and city bias claims in July but allowed the LMRDA retaliation allegations to proceed. The judge noted that political speech on a matter of public concern could not be deemed discriminatory unless it directly targeted the attorneys.

Reactions and Representation

Rory Ian Lancman, who represents the attorneys, called the settlement a victory for his clients and said it sets an important precedent for Jewish union members.

Representatives of the ALAA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The attorneys are represented by Kimberly Morgan of Lieb at Law PC and Paul Madison Eckles and Rory Ian Lancman of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law.

The ALAA is represented by Jessica Isa Apter, Aleksandr L. Felstiner, and Allyson Leigh Belovin of Levy Ratner PC.