News from September 2022
Defamation lawsuit: Buffalo Grove Pride activist smeared reputation, harmed business of dance teacher for 'anti-trans' views
The lawsuit centers on Facebook comments made by activist Carolyn Pinta against the owner of a dance studio in Buffalo Grove claiming the dance teacher's opinions "cause suicide" and calling on people to not enroll their children at the dance studio
Appeals panel preserves $4M default judgment against R. Kelly
An appeals court won't overturn the $4 million award given in 2020 to a woman who accused singer R Kelly of child sexual abuse
Lawdragon names three Chicago Cozen O’Connor attorneys among the Top 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers
Lawdragon has named three Chicago members of Cozen O’Connor’s Labor & Employment Department to its 2022 list of the Top 500 Leading U.S. Corporate Employment Lawyers.
Judge OKs Google Photos face scans class action settlement; Claimants get $150 each, lawyers get $35M
The $100 million settlement ends a class action lawsuit brought against Google, accusing the company of illegally scanning the faces of Illinois residents appearing in photos uploaded to Google Photos.
Duane Morris Welcomes Employment Partners Gerald L. Maatman Jr. and Jennifer A. Riley in Chicago
Duane Morris Welcomes Employment Partners Gerald L. Maatman Jr. and Jennifer A. Riley in Chicago.
Turing Video can't escape biometrics privacy lawsuit over forehead temperature scanners
The company provided scanning devices to help businesses like supermarket chain Jewel-Osco detect Covid symptoms in their workers at the height of the pandemic. The lawsuit says the scans violated Illinois' biometrics privacy law
Chief judge, sheriff owe no duty to protect the public from criminals on electronic monitoring: Court filings
Cook County Chief Judge Tim Evans and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit seeking to hold them liable for the carjacking murder of Vietnam vet Keith Cooper in 2021, allegedly committed by two men who were on electronic home monitoring
Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP Represents High Haven in Social-Equity Challenge
Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP Represents High Haven in Social-Equity Challenge.
Judge says it's 'premature' to dump suit alleging CPS got Northwestern employee fired for criticizing Chicago public schools
A federal judge has decided it is too early for the Chicago Board of Education to try to toss a lawsuit by a former Northwestern University student teacher placement officer, who claims she was fired for criticizing the city's public schools.
Lawsuits: Smith & Wesson should pay for Highland Park shootings; Shooter allegedly influenced by marketing
The lawsuits build on the campaign to use such litigation to make gun manufacturers liable for the criminal actions of others using firearms the manufacturers have made
'White guy' protestor disrupts SAFE-T Act press conference called by DeVore, Black south suburban leaders, activists
The press conference was intended to draw attention to alleged racial discrimination risks faced by Black and brown Illinois residents under the SAFE-T Act. DeVore called on Gov. JB Pritzker and Attorney General Kwame Raoul to condemn the 'violence' that disrupted the press conference
Cozen O’Connor's Wermuth named one of Crain’s 2022 'Notable Women in Law'
Anna Wermuth, vice-chair of Cozen O’Connor’s national Labor and Employment Department, has been named to the 2022 list of Chicago’s “Notable Women in Law” by Crain’s Chicago Business.
Women in Law Conference on September 30, 2022
Women in Law Conference on September 30, 2022.
Father, son lose bid to turn suit over CPS Buddhist meditation program into religious freedom class action
Family sued over aspect of 'Quiet Time' program that featured Buddhist transcendental meditation and ran from 2015-2019 in certain Chicago Public Schools. Students were encouraged to participate, and the family said it violated their religious rights
Report: IL, Cook County courts driving 'nuclear verdicts' trend, leveling big costs on consumers, business, economy
A new report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Legal Reform said Illinois ranks sixth nationwide for jury verdicts totaling at least $10M
Unhappy client can sue lawyers over punitive damages award, court rules
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Clients who are ordered to pay punitive damages can sue to recover the money from their lawyers, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled, rejecting arguments state law and public policy protect lawyers from being subject to punitive damages awards.
Suzanne Saxman a Panelist for "State of Middle Market M&A in the US" at Mergers Alliance Chicago Conference on September 29, 2022
Suzanne Saxman a Panelist for "State of Middle Market M&A in the US" at Mergers Alliance Chicago Conference on September 29, 2022.
IL Supreme Court agrees Chicago can't be sued over alleged retaliatory rezoning of former Double Door property
Landlord who evicted popular venue alleged ex-Ald. Proco "Joe" Moreno's conduct and alleged threats cost him $9.6M
IL High Court says CTA not liable for death of trespasser in subway tunnel because trains 'obvious danger'
The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled the CTA doesn't owe money to family of man killed by subway train, because he was trespassing and should have known trains posed danger.
Pritzker threatens to sue TV stations that air political ad his lawyers say 'defames' the governor
The ad features Beverly Miles, a Black female Army major and "lifelong Democrat," who claims Gov. JB Pritzker attempted to "get her fired" from her job as a Veterans Administration nurse, allegedly in retaliation for her decision to run against him in the Democratic gubernatorial primary