News from February 2023
Untrustworthy Prosecutors
State's Attorneys must disclose witnesses’ credibility problems—but what happens when they themselves aren’t telling the truth?
Jury awards $99K to CTA electrician who claimed agency did little to address complaints of racial discrimination, harassment
The electrician claimed he was subjected to nearly two years of alleged mistreatment from co-workers, including allegedly finding a noose hanging at a job site, after he complained about alleged discrimination from his foreman
IL sues 3M, other companies over 'forever' PFAS chemicals; Lawsuit follows path made by California lawsuit against some of same defendants
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has allowed a group of private attorneys from plaintiffs' law firms to join in the action, as the state seeks potentially big payout from the companies
Foley Named a 2022 ‘Highly Recommended Law Firm’ by BTI Consulting Group
Foley & Lardner LLP has been named one of BTI Consulting Group’s 27 highly recommended law firms for 2022.
Casten’s proposal to strip SCOTUS of constitutional review authority is ‘crackpot,’ universally ridiculed idea
U.S. Rep. Sean Casten has proposed rewriting the U.S. Constitution to essentially make it all but impossible for courts to strike down laws that violate the U.S. Constitution and citizens' rights, writes Mark Glennon, of WirePoints
White County judge grants restraining order for 1,690 plaintiffs in gun ban challenge
White County Circuit Judge Scott Webb granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) for roughly 1,690 gun owners and gun shops, mirroring the Fifth District Appellate Court’s finding that the Illinois weapons ban violates the Equal Protection clause of the Illinois Constitution.
IL Supreme Court: Biometrics class actions can include claims over five years, not just one
The decision turned back another effort by businesses to limit the reach and impact of the state's stringent biometrics privacy law, which has been used to target thousands of businesses with massive class actions, primarily over employee fingerprint scans when punching time clocks
Federal judge reduces legal fee award in securities suit vs Stericycle from $11M to $7.7M
Law firm had existing agreement with both lead plaintiffs for lower percentages than initially awarded
Business Litigators Ranked Among Illinois Super Lawyers
Five Shook business litigators are ranked among the 2023 Illinois Super Lawyers. T
Class action accuses Harley-Davidson of using its warranty to hog the motorcycle repair parts market
The lawsuit asserts Harley-Davidson has violated federal law by allegedly threatening to void customer warranties on their motorcycles if they repair their bikes using aftermarket parts, rather than "genuine" branded Harley-Davidson parts
10 Chicago Reed Smith lawyers included in 2023 Super Lawyers lists
Reed Smith announced that five of its lawyers were named Illinois Super Lawyers and five others were named Rising Stars by Super Lawyers, which is published by Thomson Reuters.