Matters drawn from Mr. Griffith’s published case descriptions — defense, negotiation, and public advocacy across jurisdictions.
Turkey
His most renowned client was William Hayes, the subject of Oliver Stone’s film Midnight Express, which related an American’s experiences in a Turkish jail. Mr. Griffith’s negotiations with the Turkish government helped originate the concept of bilateral transfer of prisoners, now commonplace among many countries.
Iraq
He represented David Daliberti, the American mechanic who, along with William Barloon, wandered from Kuwait into Iraq and was held by the regime of Saddam Hussein for four months before release. Mr. Griffith was engaged in negotiations with officials of the Iraqi government and the National Security Council for their release when the President dispatched Congressman (later United Nations Ambassador) William Richardson to Baghdad; those efforts resulted in their freedom.
Okinawa, Japan
Michael Griffith represented Kendrick Ledet and Rodrico Harp, two of the United States servicemen charged in the Okinawa rape case. He went to Japan three times on behalf of the families to help coordinate their defense; both men denied involvement. Faced with forced confessions while in Dayo Kanguko Detention — a practice deplored in a report by the International Bar Association — Mr. Griffith brought the issue to public attention in press conferences and broadcast appearances in Japan and the United States. His criticism of those practices helped educate the Japanese public regarding the injustices involved.
Ecuador
Mr. Griffith went to Ecuador to represent James Williams, an American citizen arrested and held in difficult conditions without a speedy trial. He found that nearly ninety percent of Ecuadorian prisoners — and nearly all of the forty American prisoners there — had been incarcerated for a year and a half without trials, and subjected to bribes by judges and corrupt officials. He petitioned Congress and succeeded in bringing Congresswoman Corrine Brown of Florida to address the situation with the Ecuadorian and United States Ambassadors, and accompanied her to Ecuador. The investigation received press coverage in both countries. Upon return, Congresswoman Brown raised the issue on the floor of Congress and organized congressional delegations to Ecuador, which led to the suspension of U.S. aid to Ecuador and the release of his client.
Tortola, British West Indies
He coordinated the defense of an American client wrongfully accused of murder in Tortola, British West Indies, and called for a boycott of tourism to that country on television and in the media due to excessive human rights violations by that government.
Monaco
He represented Ted Maher, the American male nurse accused of arson that led to the death of billionaire banker Edmond Safra in Monaco, and represented him at trial in the Monaco court.