Antonio Romanucci to Receive 2026 Champion of Justice Award

CHICAGO (JULY 1, 2026) — On Monday, July 27, Antonio M. Romanucci, Founding Partner of Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, will receive the 2026 Champion of Justice Award at Public Justice’s 44th Annual Gala and Awards Dinner.

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, and who upholds the organization’s values.

Romanucci has been a fierce advocate for victims of negligence, abuse and wrongful death, particularly for members of marginalized communities. A leader in civil rights litigation, Romanucci is known for his work on high-stakes cases, including the representation of the family of Renee Good, who was killed by a federal agent in Minneapolis in January 2026. He is also considered the “architect,” alongside Ben Crump, of the historic civil rights lawsuit against the City of Minneapolis and four police officers for the murder of George Floyd. They now also represent the family of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, and others. His work also includes litigation against major corporations, including Boeing for the Ethiopian Airlines disaster, and hundreds of mass tort cases for toxic exposure. Additionally, Romanucci represents those harmed in mass shootings and tragedies, including the Highland Park, Illinois, Fourth of July parade and the New Year’s Day 2025 truck ramming on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

He is the former president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and has held multiple leadership roles for the American Association for Justice and Justinian Society of Lawyers. Throughout his career, he has been active in supporting transformative work to make our communities and country better for all through legislative change to address underlying issues and inequities in his cases. In the early months of 2026 alone, Tony provided witness testimony before three Congressional sub-committees and forums, advocating for change and a level playing field of accountability across all types of police officers: local, state, and federal. Further, he has been recognized for his work by a number of highly respected legal organizations and is regularly seen in global, national and regional media outlets for his commentary on legal matters.

“I am truly humbled to receive the Champion of Justice Award and to be honored by Public Justice. I value our shared goals of bringing liberty and justice for all, which is more important now than it has been in my lifetime. I am inspired to continue this collaborative advocacy in the months and years to come,” said Antonio M. Romanucci, Founding Partner of Romanucci & Blandin, LLC.

“Tony represents the best of civil rights lawyers,” said Public Justice CEO Lauren Barnes. “He’s dedicated his life’s work to the pursuit of justice, serving as a voice for those who’ve had theirs silenced, an advocate for those who’ve been wronged, and a defender of equality and fairness. We couldn’t be prouder to present Tony with the Champion of Justice Award this year, and we look forward to celebrating him in Chicago.”

Public Justice — a national non-profit legal advocacy organization dedicated to fighting abusive corporate conduct, the assault on civil rights and climate change — has previously given this award to Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, the late former Congressman Barney Frank and pioneering legal advocate Elizabeth Cabraser. For more information on the annual gala and awards dinner, held at the Aon Grand
Ballroom at Navy Pier in Chicago at 6 p.m.; visit public-justice.org.

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Public Justice

Public Justice takes on the most significant systemic threats to justice of our time—abusive corporate power and predatory practices, the assault on civil rights and liberties, and the destruction of the earth’s sustainability. We link high-impact litigation with strategic communications and the strength of our partnerships to combat these abusive and discriminatory systems and achieve social and economic justice. For more information, visit www.public-justice.org.

Romanucci & Blandin, LLC

Romanucci & Blandin is a Chicago-based national trial practice committed to fighting for victims of negligence, abuse and wrongful death. For nearly 30 years, we have secured more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients - many for millions of dollars and others record-setting awards. Our experience ranges from mass shootings, civil rights and police misconduct to medical malpractice, sexual abuse, motor vehicle accidents or workplace injury cases involving individual or institutional negligence. Romanucci & Blandin is a valuable legal resource to individuals and groups of people who have been injured by others’ wrongdoing. Referring attorneys and clients say several factors differentiate our firm: Our record of success, depth of experience, talented and dedicated legal team, tireless preparation and strategic use of communications to fight for the rights of those whose lives have been changed forever. We are different from other personal injury firms in that our work does not stop when a verdict or settlement is secured. We are often inspired by our clients’ experiences and commit resources to create change in our communities. For more information about Romanucci & Blandin, please visit www.rblaw.net or call (312) 458-1000.