A New Decade of Impact & Change
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Photo: Ron Coleman Ron Photo: A NEW DECADE OF IMPACT & CHANGE AUGUST 6, 2020 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE During the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, to help communities of color that have been so Welcome to Public Justice’s 38th Annual (and first- of advocacy, representation and leadership. Lucretia Mott warned those working for women’s impacted by the industrial food system, and to ever virtual) Gala & Awards Ceremony! Though we suffrage that, “Any great change must expect represent two Texas families who recently lost loved are unable to gather in-person this year as we had The months ahead will be challenging. More opposition, because it shakes the very foundation ones at the hands of jailers. But we can, and must, planned, we are grateful to bring the Public Justice workers will be put in harm’s way by employers of privilege.” do more. That is why Public Justice is committed to family together for this annual celebration of the focused on profit at the expense of employee continuing our work to empower communities and best of the Trial Bar. safety. Corporations take advantage of the crisis to Nearly two centuries later, Mott’s prediction has to promote opportunity, champion racial equity and avoid accountability and circumvent the safeguards not diminished in truth or timeliness. As we come Though the COVID-19 pandemic has, in some create real inclusiveness that makes a difference. put in place by the law. And the Administration together this evening to observe and celebrate the ways, changed how we work, it has not deterred will likely step up efforts to roll back important change makers of the plaintiffs’ bar and beyond, the Public Justice team from taking on critical regulations and undermine the rights of the public. The work ahead will not always be easy, and it cases and causes that impact our Members, their opposition to justice, equality and opportunity will be met with opposition from those seeking to But our team will continue to use cutting-edge continues to push back on the necessary and clients and under-served communities. In many shield their own privilege. As Lucretia Mott also litigation and inclusive advocacy campaigns to Public Justice overdue work to realize those goals for everyone. It ways, that work is more vibrant and necessary than The months told the crowd in Seneca Falls, “I have no idea of preserve justice and accountability. is a reminder that pursuing great change requires ever before. From our landmark cases on behalf is committed submitting tamely to injustice inflicted either on me of Smithfield Foods and Amazon workers fighting ahead will be great work. All of those efforts are made possible by all of to continuing or on the slave. I will oppose it with all the moral for workplace protections during the pandemic challenging... you. Even as many firms, families and individuals powers with which I am endowed. I am no advocate to our online resource for attorneys responding to our work to Tonight, we celebrate the remarkable achievements have struggled with a new economic reality, you but our team attempts to slow down the wheels of justice, I’m empower of our 2020 Trial Lawyer of the Year finalists. These of passivity.” will continue proud that we have risen to the challenges facing have been steadfast in your support of our work three legal teams have effected remarkable and and have shown a strong commitment to helping communities We cannot be passive in battling oppression our constituents and clients. to use cutting- important change through our legal system and preserve access to the courts. We are enormously and to promote and we cannot submit tamely to the opposition. edge litigation have secured critical victories for clients impacted We are also proud to be joined this evening grateful to everyone who has been an ally in those opportunity, Because, as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has and inclusive by the scourge of gun violence, sexual assault and by two very special guests. Tonight’s emcee, efforts, and are especially appreciative of this reminded us, “We’re still striving for that more champion corporate misconduct. They provide a reminder of Erin Brockovich, is one of the most prominent evening’s Gala sponsors, who have stepped up to advocacy racial equity the importance of the justice system in securing, perfect union. And one of the perfections is for the environmental and consumer advocates in the ensure our work keeps going. campaigns ‘we the people’ to include an ever enlarged group.” and create real and preserving, the rights and freedoms of all. country and has helped communities organize to preserve for clean air and water when polluters, and local Your participation in this evening’s event shows inclusiveness Even as we celebrate the work of the trial bar, Thank you for being part of the Public Justice governments, imperil public health and safety. And that, even during the toughest of times, we remain justice and that makes a however, we must also recognize our own family. Together, we are shaking the foundations of our 2020 Champion of Justice honoree, Sandra united in our resolve to help those in need. accountability. difference. responsibilities to do more and do better in pursuit privilege and working for a country that lives up to Robinson, embodies the best of our profession. of liberty and justice for all. The recent murders its promises and potential. For decades, Sandra has not only tried and Thank you. of Black people by police has exposed not just won significant verdicts in high stakes medical an unacceptable miscarriage of justice by police malpractice cases, she has also mentored young departments, but also the systemic racism and people and worked to make our profession more discrimination that exists throughout our country. Beth Terrell, President welcoming and diverse. These two extraordinary Paul Bland, Executive Director I’m particularly proud of Public Justice’s work Public Justice Foundation Board of Directors women inspire us to uphold the highest ideals Public Justice Foundation GALA Emcee Annual Gala Sponsors Say the name Erin Brockovich, and people think of the Oscar-winning movie starring Julia Roberts—the film that turned this unknown legal researcher into a 20th-century icon. Erin’s dogged persistence and PLATINUM - $10,000 Grant & Eisenhofer, PA KCC stick-to-itiveness was the impelling force behind the largest medical settlement lawsuit in history. She hasn’t rested on her laurels. She continues to fight hard and win big. Indeed, Steven Colbert recently called Angeion Group Kessler Topaz Meltzer Check, LLP Klafter Olsen & Lesser, LLP Erin “a real live superhero.’’ Huntington Bank The McIntosh Foundation Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder PC Erin hasn’t just been working with water pollution. She is a consumer advocate working on disease Motley Rice LLC Miner Barnhill & Galland, PC clusters, fracking, medical devices, environmental disasters, and more. She is a modern-day “David” who Lieff Cabraser Heimann & loves a good brawl with today’s “Goliaths.” She thrives on being the voice for those who don’t know how Bernstein Nichols Kaster, PLLP Postlethwaite & Netterville to yell. She is a rebel, a fighter, and a mother. Terrell Marshall Law Group, PLLC Gale Pearson - Fears Nachawati Lee J. Rohn & Associates, LLC Erin learned how to come out on top from her tight-knit Midwestern family in Lawrence, Kansas. She was Tycko & Zavareei LLP Law Firm Erin the youngest child of an industrial engineer father and journalist mother. Her parents believed she could Brockovich do anything she set her mind to, if she learned to focus her amazing energy. Because of her fighting Pitt McGehee Palmer Bonanni BRONZE - $1,000 spirit, Erin has become the champion of countless women and men. She receives thousands of letters and & Rivers, PC Environmental GOLD - $5,000 Boucher, LLP emails each month from people who are begging for help and support in their own struggles. Erin proudly Robins Kaplan, LLP Activist / Emcee answers every one of them. Bailey & Glasser, LLP Correia & Puth, PLLC Simmons Hanly Conroy As president of Brockovich Research & Consulting, she is involved in environmental projects worldwide, Baron & Budd, PC Harry & Kathe Deitzler from efforts to clean up the water in Hinkley, California to: helping veterans and residents living at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Thomas & Meredith Sobol Camp Lejeune suffering from water contaminated with industrial solvents, benzene, and other chemicals; the PFOA outbreak Berger Montague Sanford Dumain David F. Sugerman found in hundreds of public water systems throughout the country; communities in Italy, Greece, and Australia that are also Brayton Purcell & Thirty Seven dealing with hexavalent chromium and other toxins in their water. She is also spearheading women’s health campaigns and Top Class Actions Ingrid Evans - Evans Law Firm, Inc helping those affected by faulty medical devices. The work continues, as people reach out to Erin. Wines Wallace & Graham, PA Faraci Lange, LLP Clifford Law Offices Erin founded The Erin Brockovich Foundation, a nonprofit organization created to educate and empower even more communities Roger L. Mandel - Jeeves Mandel in their fight for one of the basic foundations of human survival: clean water. Whitfield Bryson, LLP Consumer Litigation Law Group, PC Associates, PC Erin’s following has grown organically since her story was made into movie and released in 2000. It is a grassroots effort. She has Murray & Murray CO almost 650,000 Facebook followers. Her posts get thousands of likes, shares, and comments. She has roughly 30,000 followers Cotchett, Pitre, & McCarthy, LLP SILVER - $2,500 on Twitter. She receives emails from around the world, and her website gets from 4 to 30 million visitors each month.