Public Justice

08/01/2026

No lawyers were coerced into participating in this video.

07/31/2026

What fuels a Champion of Justice? For Antonio Romanucci, it’s a continuing burning desire to do right and complete justice. We got the chance to meet up with Tony and reflect on what this honor means to him.

07/30/2026

The stories that electrify every gala begin with the clients represented by the plaintiffs’ bar. Their courage keeps the fight for civil rights and human dignity alive.

07/28/2026

In the words of our fearless CEO Lauren Barnes, last night in Chicago was truly magical! Thank you all for showing up, supporting our work, and filling up the room with hope for the future of justice. Hope to see you all at next year’s event in DC.

07/28/2026

Watch tonight’s 44th Annual Pillar of Justice awards via livestream:

Join us as we honor the best of the trial bar and pay tribute to Pu...

07/27/2026

VICTORY: Republic Services of Pennsylvania LLC polluted Kreutz Creek — a tributary of the Susquehanna River — and violated the Clean Water Act 419 times. Today, the District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania imposed a $9.2 million civil penalty — double the “economic benefit” Republic Services earned through their CWA violation — for its actions.

Today’s Public Justice win marks a major triumph for Clean Water Act enforcement and bolsters the power of citizen-led lawsuits.

07/24/2026

When TEKsystems' employees sued over unpaid wages, the company tried something sneaky: a mid-lawsuit agreement trying to force workers to choose between their day in court or their job.

This isn't the first time, and it won't be the last time that a corporation tries to screw over the employees or even the consumers who keep them in business. Corporations will keep finding ways to dodge accountability, and we'll keep fighting the worst of it. But real, lasting change also has to come legislatively. Until then, we’ll continue fighting to unrig the system.

07/24/2026

An 8-year-old has already suffered heat exhaustion while riding her bike. EPA called that harm minimal, without a single piece of evidence. That is the same agency that just erased 15 years of science and vehicle pollution protections in less than six months. Now, 18 young people are asking a federal court to stop it before the damage to their health, faith, and constitutional rights becomes impossible to reverse.

Learn more about Venner v. EPA at ourchildrenstrust.org/venner-v-epa

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07/24/2026

Public Justice is honoring Founding Partner Antonio Romanucci with their prestigious Champion of Justice Award. Tony is being honored for his tireless commitment to civil and human rights and for the results he has secured for so many deserving clients over his career. Public Justice CEO Lauren Barnes says Tony “represents the best of civil rights lawyers.”

The award has previously been given to Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, the late former Congressman Barney Frank and pioneering legal advocate Elizabeth Cabraser. The award will be presented later this month at a gala in Chicago:

Given in recognition of his unwavering commitment to equality, justice, and fairness, the Champion of Justice Award recognizes someone whose body of work has demonstrated devotion to human and civil rights and the pursuit of justice, who has made a significant impact on the mission of Public Justice...

07/24/2026

Lighthiser v. Trump made history in Sept. 2025 — the first time youth plaintiffs gave live testimony in a constitutional climate case.

Over 2 days in Missoula, MT, the district court heard undisputed testimony that Trump's executive orders are already harming these young plaintiffs. The Ninth Circuit panel didn't dispute any of it. It just refused to act.

The constitutional questions are still unanswered. These youth are asking the full Ninth Circuit to answer them.

Learn more: ourchildrenstrust.org/lighthiser-v-trump