FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2009

Contact
Cassandra Goings
(202) 797-8600 Ext. 244

cgoings@publicjustice.net

NOTED LOCAL LAWYER TO SERVE AS STATE’S LINK TO PUBLIC JUSTICE

Chicago attorney Antonio Romanucci and Edwardsville attorney David E. Cates have been named Illinois State Coordinators for the Public Justice Foundation, the Washington-based national organization known for championing public interest litigation across the country.

Romanucci’s law practice focuses solely in civil litigation, concentrating in catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death and workers’ compensation. He has successfully tried numerous civil jury trials, and has handled arbitrations and compensation claims on behalf of his clients, obtaining tens of millions of dollars in recoveries. He is listed as one of the “2009 Top 100 lawyers” in Illinois by Super Lawyers ®, the third time he has received that distinction. Romanucci is active in several national and local professional and civic organizations. He co-founded and served for seven years as board president of the Midwest Brain Injury Clubhouse.

Cates, who practices with Goldenberg, Heller, Antognoli & Rowland, P.C., specializes in personal injury cases, including medical malpractice and employment litigation, as well as class action litigation. He is a delegate for the Illinois State Bar Association, serving on the Tort Section Council, and is a member of the Board of Advocates for the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association.

As State Coordinators, Romanucci and Cates will be responsible for helping expand the organization's visibility, support and impact in the state, identifying important cases that fall under Public Justice’s broad portfolio – consumers’ and victims’ rights; civil rights and liberties; environmental protection; workers’ rights; toxic torts; prisoner and detainee rights; and access to justice.

“No public interest law firm has a wider ranging litigation docket than Public Justice,” Romanucci noted.

“I am proud to help spread the word about, and help expand, an organization that fights for justice and fair play for the wronged, the poor and the powerless,” said Cates.

Founded in 1982, Public Justice is supported by a nationwide network of more than 3,000 of the nation’s top lawyers to pursue precedent-setting and socially significant litigation. The law firm is the principal project of the Public Justice Foundation. In addition to its Washington headquarters, Public Justice has a West Coast office in Oakland, Calif.

Information about Public Justice’s cases, including briefs and documents, and the work of the Public Justice Foundation can be found at www.publicjustice.net.