Robert Mongeluzzi and Jeffrey Goodman Receive Public Service Award for Work on Behalf of Victims of Champlain Towers Collapse

The June 2021 condo collapse killed 98 people, one of the deadliest structural engineering failures in history.

Robert Mongeluzzi and Jeffrey Goodman were recipients of the Steven J. Sharp Public Service Award for their work on behalf of victims of the 2021 Champlain Towers South condo collapse. Presented by the American Association for Justice, the award recognizes plaintiffs and the attorneys of plaintiffs whose cases help tell the story of the American civil justice system. This year, it was awarded to the group of court-appointed attorneys who worked on behalf of victims and survivors, and obtained a record-setting $1.2 billion settlement within one year of the tragedy.

Jeff led the Plaintiffs litigation team in proving the cause of the collapse and identifying and collecting from those parties that were responsible. Amongst a deep and talented group of  attorneys, Jeff was asked to lead the depositions of defendants’ witnesses and the collaboration with all expert witnesses.

Bob, who was lead lawyer in the biggest building collapse cases in the Philadelphia region – the 2013 Salvation Army building collapse and the 2003 Tropicana parking garage collapse in Atlantic City, served as a leader of the team and was on the ground in Miami within hours of the collapse.

Not only did the attorneys work tirelessly to obtain a settlement for victims and their families, but their work led to legislative change. The Florida legislature passed new laws to better protect residents, requiring regular inspection of the structural integrity of residential complexes and the timely repair of any deterioration.

About the Award

The Steven J. Sharp Public Service Award recognizes plaintiffs and the attorneys of plaintiffs whose cases help tell the story of the American civil justice system.

This award is named for Steven J. Sharp of Richland, Oregon, a brave man who lost both arms at the age of 17 because of a defective tractor hay baler. The tractor manufacturer knew one person had been mangled, and another decapitated, by this defectively designed product. Yet, company executives did nothing, even though a small seventy cent part would have fixed the problem.

At the time of Steven’s case, legislation was pending that would have barred him from taking his case against the manufacturer to court. He spoke out to show lawmakers how legislation to limit access to the courts would deprive people like him of justice. Steven’s case had a positive effect on Capitol Hill and ultimately helped convince President Clinton to veto this unfair legislation.