Two young lawyers mowed down by Lizzie Grubman sued the publicity princess and her dad for $35 million yesterday as Southampton officials continued a bid to shut down the nightclub where the carnage occurred.
The joint suit by Leslie Arnold and Shari Goldsmith came a day after fellow crash victim Adam Wacht sued Grubman and her father for $30 million. Lawsuits from at least some of the 13 other victims are expected.
Arnold and Goldsmith claim Grubman, 30, recklessly and negligently caused their injuries when she ran them over with the her father’s 2001 Mercedes-Benz SUV last Saturday at the Conscience Point Inn.
Arnold is a lawyer at the firm of King & Spalding, while Goldsmith is a lawyer at Rosenman & Colin. Both women, who live in New York City, are originally from Jericho, N.Y., and graduated together from Emory University law school last year.
Arnold is asking for $10 million for her injuries while Goldsmith wants $5 million. They want an additional $20 million in punitive damages.
“Our clients . . . and their families would like to thank everyone for the concern and compassion they have shown during this most difficult time,” said their lawyer, Robert Marcus, who filed the suit in state Supreme Court.
“Despite their devastating injuries and resultant disabilities, they hope that one day they will be able to once again do those things we all take for granted.”
In Southampton, town fathers continued a months-old effort to buy the property where the super-trendy Conscience Point Inn stands and turn it into a public marina.
Southampton Supervisor Vince Cannuscio told The Post he is still as ready as ever to make what the town calls a “strategic purchase.”
“An offer will be made soon,” Cannuscio said.
The club’s neighbors have long complained of noise and mobs of people.
Property owner Klaus Kirstein could not be reached for comment.
Meanwhile, Wacht hired new lawyers after being upset that his prior lawyer sued Grubman so quickly and for such a large amount of money, Anthony Gair, one of his new lawyers, told The Post.
He said the amount of money being sought by Wacht might be reduced in the future.
Gair said Wacht, 37, felt victimized a second time when Grubman’s camp yesterday said his suit “shows what this is all about: the money.”
“This case is not about money,” Gair said. “This is about an innocent person suffering serious injuries as a result of somebody else’s outrageous conduct.”
“He is very, very badly hurt,” said fellow Wacht lawyer Howard Hershenhorn.
Lawyers for Grubman, who also faces criminal charges including assault, could not be reached for comment.
Now, it’s a laughing matter
Those who were injured at Conscious Point last Saturday morning may not find them funny, but jokes about the Lizzie Grubman scandal are flying fast and furious on the Internet. Here are a few:
Do you know why the party ended early at Conscience Point?
The guests were feeling pretty run down.
Did you hear what Lizzie did on the weekend?
She crashed some party.
Did you hear they raised the cover charge at Conscience Point?
It costs an arm and a leg to get in now.
Did you hear what the latest Hamptons drink is?
The Lizzie Wallbanger.
Why does Lizzie Grubman hope she gets beat up if she goes to prison?
So she can continue seeing stars.