The Cook County Record News
Class action accuses Northwestern Business College of illegally withholding student transcripts over unpaid tuition
Illinois made it illegal in 2022 for colleges and universities to withhold student transcripts over unpaid fines, tuition or other forms of student debt
Baker McKenzie most widely ranked firm in 2023 World Trademark Review 1000
Baker McKenzie retains its position as the most widely ranked firm in the World Trademark Review 1000 (WTR 1000), which lists the world’s leading trademark professionals.
IL state officials oppose injunctive relief from 'assault weapons' ban in southern district court; County officials support plaintiffs
Illinois state officials have responded in opposition to requests for preliminary injunction from the Protect Illinois Communities Act in southern district court, arguing that semi-automatic weapons and high-capacity magazines are not protected as “arms” under the Second Amendment. Specifically, they argue that while the weapons regulated by the law are widely owned, they claim the weapons are not used for self-defense but are commonly used in mass shootings.
Smollett wants appeals court to agree his prosecution for lying to cops about his alleged assault hoax was illegal, politically motivated
Convicted actor Jussie Smollett said a Cook County judge should never have appointed special prosecutor and his deal with Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx satisfied the demands of the law
'Recipe for increases in crime': Chicago cops warn IL Sup Ct cash bail abolition tramples courts, cops, favors criminals
The Chicago Fraternal Order of Police union filed a brief backing the constitutional challenges to the provisions in Illinois' SAFE-T Act abolishing cash bail. They warn Illinois should expect much more crime if the state is allowed to abolish cash bail, an action the police argue is unconstitutional
Chicago Police Supt. David Brown resigning, taking job at Texas law firm
DALLAS - Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown will resign his position on March 16 and return to Texas to work at a personal injury law firm.
Barnes & Thornburg Intellectual Property Attorneys Recognized In World Trademark Review 1000
Ten Barnes & Thornburg attorneys earned recognition in the 2023 World Trademark Review 1000 (WTR 1000).
Lake County judge rejects dance studio owner's defamation claim vs Buffalo Grove LGBTQ activist
The judge found Facebook comments posted by local activist Carolyn Pinta attacking dance teacher Louise Taitz for "hate" speech that leads to LGBTQ suicide, and encouraging people to take their business elsewhere could be "innocently construed" as protected opinion
Illinois Sheriff's Association seeks to file opposition to gun ban in federal court suits
EAST ST. LOUIS – Gun owners and dealers suing in U. S. district court for an injunction against Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s gun law found a friend in the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association.
Alejandro Caffarelli Named to Super Lawyers Top 100
The Firm is proud to have attorney Alejandro Caffarelli named as one of the 2023 top 100 Illinois lawyers in all practice areas by Super Lawyers, for the second consecutive year.
Illinois responds to state's attorneys attempt to throw out provision to end cash bail
(The Center Square) – Saying the plaintiffs’ “grab-bag of constitutional theories” should be rejected, the state of Illinois has responded to a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of ending cash bail.
Indiana insurance coverage counsel announce new law firm, website
Attorneys C. Anthony Ashford and Guy S. DiMartino are pleased to announce the formation of the law firm Ashford DiMartino, P.C.
BNSF: IL Supreme Court ruling means courts can choose not to order 'annihilative' payouts in fingerprint scan class actions
Lawyers for BNSF Railway are pushing to undo a $238 million verdict in favor of 45,000 truckers, who claim BNSF violated Illinois' biometrics privacy law by making them scan fingerprints to access rail yards. Plaintiffs, though, say the verdict should've been $807M
Judge says franchisors also liable in suits claiming biomertric scan violations; Ruling could make businesses more vulnerable to suits
A federal judge has ruled fast food franchise holder, McAlister's Deli, can't escape a class action lawsuit brought by workers who claim they were improperly required to scan fingerprints when punching the clock. The judge said the law isn't limited only to 'direct employers'
Benesch Names New Executive Committee Members
Benesch is pleased to announce that partners Michael Barrie, Manish Mehta and Stephanie Sheridan have been newly elected to the law firm’s Executive Committee.
Appeals court: Rockford nurse can only get $2,500 from her lawsuit win, even though county health department violated her abortion conscience rights
An Illinois appeals panel has ruled a nurse, who left her Winnebago County job because she would not refer females for abortions, did not deserve a larger award in her lawsuit against the county, because judges said she could have accepted a similar county post that did not involve abortion referrals
Appeals panel OKs sanctions vs Gurnee school board member who sued parents over false claims of racist Facebook posts, threats
The judges said Renea Amen, a school board member who also 'labels herself a civil rights attorney' 'used her status as a public official to intimidate ordinary citizens' who merely wished to do 'the most encouraged of American activities: getting involved in their communities'
Locke Lord’s Mia Lorick Selected as 2023 LCLD Fellow; Sky Emison and Nasar Khan Named to Pathfinder Program
Locke Lord Houston Partner Mia Lorick has been selected as a member of the 2023 Fellows Program for the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), and Chicago's Sky Emisonand Los Angeles' Nasar Khan have been named to LCLD’s Pathfinder Program. Both programs aim to identify, train and advance the next generation of leaders in the legal profession.
Pritzker, Raoul: No 'fundamental right' to own, sell 'assault weapons' in IL, ask IL high court to toss TRO
Gov. JB Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul have asked the Illinois Supreme Court to immediately vacate a temporary restraining order upheld by a state appeals court, which had ruled the state ban on "assault weapons" trampled the state constitution
IL courts, reform advocates agree: Time is now for IL Supreme Court to rein in lawmakers' constitutional 'lapses'
A flurry of lawsuits ask the Illinois Supreme Court to follow through on its longstanding threat to stop allowing lawmakers to police themselves in deciding whether they have followed the Illinois state constitution when passing sweeping new laws, like the so-called "assault weapons" ban