News from April 2024
Drew Moore, Zoe Spector Join Chicago Bar Leadership Program
Thompson Coburn associates Drew Moore and Zoe Spector have been selected to participate in the 2024 Chicago Bar Association Leadership Institute, a program intended to help emerging leaders in the legal profession build relationships and leadership skills.
Becker and Alasauskas Author Chicago Lawyer Magazine Article on Business Agreements
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP attorneys Jeffrey S. Becker and Amanda J. Alasauskas authored an article for The Chicago Lawyer Magazine, which highlights the importance of preparing solid business agreements between band members.
Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling hit with genetic privacy class action
Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling, a Niles-based bottler and distributor of Coke products, is facing a class-action lawsuit under Illinois's genetic information privacy law.
Judge says Harvey's financial situation makes it impossible to complete road project, rescinds contract
A Cook County judge ruled a road contractor already shorted $2M can't be forced to maintain "temporary" traffic signals in Harvey indefinitely. The judge rescinded the contract and ordered IDOT to take control of the traffic signals, despite falling short of normally required standards
Proposed statewide class action in Southern District court challenges constitutionality of tax deed foreclosures
EAST ST. LOUIS - Illinois counties violate the U.S. Constitution when they hold and sell liens on properties with overdue taxes, former homeowners and a business in East St. Louis alleged at district court on April 10.
IL Supreme Court says a corporation can sue people who allegedly disparaged them in emails to management
The state high court agreed that a corporation can be defamed in emails to executives and other employees. The court said the dispute between shipping logistics competitors FourKites and project44 is an example of instances in which such emails don't amount to a "corporation talking to itself"
Neal Gerber Eisenberg Expands Real Estate Practice with Addition of Chad Richman
Neal Gerber Eisenberg (NGE) is pleased to announce the addition of Chad Richman as a partner in the Real Estate practice group.
How Social Media is Changing Defamation Law
A Northwestern Pritzker Law panel discussion featured Northwestern alumni who served as counsel in the Carroll v. Trump and Freeman v. Giuliani cases.
Eric Posner Writes About Preserving Jobs in an AI Future
Recent discussions about the implications of artificial intelligence for employment have veered between the poles of apocalypse and utopia.
Unopposed Cook County judge candidates appointed by IL Supreme Court to Cook bench early
The new judges include a former Cook County Assistant State's Attorney who famously was blamed for Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx's handling of the police killing of Adam Toledo, and later authored a resignation later that blasted Foxx for failures of leadership
Judge nixes class action vs Abbott over baby formula shortage, says not obliged to maintain formula supply, prices
A federal judge in Chicago dismissed a class action vs Abbott Laboratories claiming the company wrongly profited from increased prices for baby formula sparked by a nationwide shortage that followed Abbott's shutdown of a Michigan plant over alleged bacterial contamination
McGuireWoods’ Public Finance Team Earns Top Rankings for Bond Transactions
McGuireWoods’ public finance team delivered another strong performance for clients in 2023, ranking among the top bond counsel in the Southeast United States and retaining its position as No. 1 bond counsel in Virginia, according to data published by The Bond Buyer, the daily newspaper of public finance.
Alasauskas to Serve as Guest Judge at the 2024 Biggest Mouth Competition at Columbia College Chicago
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Associate Amanda J. Alasauskas has been invited to be a guest judge at the 2024 Biggest Mouth Competition, which will take place at Columbia College Chicago on April 11, 2024.
Chicago Teachers Union contract demands about politics, bosses' power
A new leaked document shows Chicago Teachers Union's president may have not necessarily been joking when she said the next CTU contract would cost taxpayers "$50 billion and three cents," says the Illinois Policy Institute.
Judge: Title IX plaintiffs can use IL law to retroactively demand 'emotional distress' damages
The Illinois law, known as the Civil Rights Remedies Restoration Act, was enacted this year specifically to restore the ability of certain plaintiffs to use "emotional distress" claims to boost their potential payouts under civil rights lawsuits, in defiance of a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision to limit the ability to do so
Investing in Clinical Trial Site Management Organizations, Cros and Research Technology Vendors: Key Regulatory and Diligence Considerations on April 17, 2024
The pharma services space is abuzz with activity as funding rebounds, R&D activity grows and technology accelerates innovation.
Lansing park district sues Lansing Journal for trademark infringement
The Lan-Oak Park District has filed a lawsuit against The Lansing Journal LLC for alleged trademark infringement.
IL lawmakers advance law to limit 'annihilative' payouts faced by business under biometrics law
The Illinois State Senate approved SB2979, which would explicitly limit the amount of money trial lawyers and plaintiffs can demand businesses pay under the Biometric Information Privacy Act. The law has spawned thousands of lawsuits generating hundreds of millions of dollars in legal fees
Student claims CPS ignored sex assaults by ex-dean at Little Village H.S., part of culture of grooming, abuse at CPS
The lawsuit claims the male dean impregnated the student twice, and forced her to get two abortions despite being underaged. He allegedly claimed to be her parent to sidestep a parental notification law that Illinois lawmakers have since repealed. The suit claims other staff knew, but did nothing
New Trier wrongly refused requests for records to explain decision to cancel Holocaust Remembrance Day: Lawsuit
Education reform group Parents Defending Education has sued New Trier Township High School District claiming administrators violated Freedom of Information law by refusing to provide PDE with staff communications that may discuss the Holocaust or conflict in Gaza.