12 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • AUGUST 2020
COVER FEATURE
ATTORNEY BOB SULLIVAN REFLECTS
Equality before the law is among the
most sacred rights of the American
citizen. Among those most highly
regarded for protecting those rights
is trial lawyer Robert Sullivan, of the
New York City and Long Island-based
law firm Sullivan Papain Block McGrath
Coffinas & Cannavo, P.C.
Sullivan has a plethora of experience
defending the rights of everyday people
in court. He started his legal career
in 1974 clerking for Harry H. Lipsig,
a legendary trial lawyer. Bob was
immediately recognized as a talented,
up-and-coming attorney who would
soon become one of the state’s top trial
“I would like to think that my career has really
made a positive impact on individual lives.”
lawyers and a partner at the firm in just
two years.
In more than 40 years of practice, he’s
had as much impact on his clients as on
the law itself. He has tried more than
300 cases involving people seriously
injured by reason of the negligence or
wrongdoing of others.
“It’s never lost on me the impact that
these cases can have on people’s lives,”
said Sullivan. “Corporate greed knows
no bounds, and many people would
have no recourse or power against it
if not for the law. A person’s lawyer is
their voice, their advocate, and their
gladiator.”
While Sullivan is known for the many
victories that have brought his clients
many millions of dollars in compensation
for the damages they have suffered,
he is perhaps best known for his work
on behalf of September 11, 2001 first
responders and survivors who
were killed or have been diagnosed
with illnesses related to
the terrorists’ attacks and its
aftermath.
In the wake of that awful day,
Bob Sullivan and his firm
represented 363 injured
firefighters and the
families
of fallen firefighters in the 2002-04
September 11th Victim Compensation
Fund, obtaining more than $265 million
in awards for absolutely no fee, thus
forgoing more than $25 million in legal
fees.
“We are on the side of the angels,” said
Sullivan. “After September 11, there was
nothing to do other than help, and our
firm was first in line to help the men
and women who lost their spouses,
daughters, sons, brothers, sisters,
moms and dads, in that tragic terrorist
attack. Everyone served the country
in their own way — our way was to
make sure that these families had a
voice,” continued Sullivan.
And in the years since, Bob Sullivan
has developed into the
“firefighter’s lawyer,” while
representing firefighters
and fire officers, and other
first responders, who
have since been stricken
with illnesses resulting
from their exposure to
toxins during the rescue
and recovery efforts
that ensued. He and
his firm represent
thousands of active
and retired
New York City
firefighters in a
myriad of cases,
including injuries
suffered
on the job.
“It’s really gratifying to be able to
change people’s lives for the better,”
Sullivan said. “Helping first responders
who get hurt while on the job is a
gratifying way of giving back to those
who have given so much,” he continued.
The Long Island Press asked Mr. Sullivan
some
questions
a b o u t
the highlights of his distinguished
career.
What have been your most fulfilling
cases? The most fulfilling cases of my
career involve representing the family
members of firefighters who have
made the ultimate sacrifice in service to
others. Securing justice for their loved
ones is something I take great pride in.
Whether it was the Waldbaum's fire,
the Father's Day fire, Black Sunday, or
9/11, my firm's mission was to ensure
that the memory of these firefighters
was honored and that the families
were protected. While we knew that
we could never make them whole again
and could not ease the grief they felt, we
hoped to provide comfort and peace of
mind knowing that we would not stop
until they received the compensation
that they deserved. It isn't hard to pick
a jury when you are on the side of the
angels.
What are you
most proud of
throughout
your career?
I am proud of
being able to
not only try
successful
Robert Sullivan has been practicing law for more than four decades. (Photo by Matthew Kropp)
/LONGISLANDPRESS.COM
