News from February 2024
ERISA Preemption and Employee Benefit Claims: Recent Court Decisions, Causes of Action, Plan Administration on February 28, 2024
Litigation attorney Chelsea McCarthy will co-lead a Strafford webinar guiding counsel on Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) preemption rules and their effects on litigating employee benefit claims.
Locke Lord’s Carolyn Blessing, Jennifer Kenedy and Andrea Verney Kerstein Recognized as Notable Women in Law by Crain’s Chicago Business
Locke Lord Chicago Partners Carolyn Blessing, Jennifer Kenedy and Andrea Verney Kerstein have been selected by Crain’s Chicago Business as 2024 Notable Women in Law honorees.
Reed Smith’s Jennifer Yule DePriest named ’Notable Woman in Law’ by Crain’s Chicago Business
Jennifer Yule DePriest, managing partner of Reed Smith’s Chicago office, has been named a “Notable Woman in Law” by Crain’s Chicago Business, the firm announced.
Julie Proscia Named Crain's Chicago Business Notable Women in Law Honoree
Congratulations to Julie Proscia who has been named by Crain's Chicago Business a Notable Woman in Law for 2024!
Martha C. Nussbaum to Be Honored with Norman Maclean Faculty Award
Martha C. Nussbaum, Ernst Freund Distinguished Service Professor of Law and Ethics, appointed in the Law School and the Philosophy Department, is one of two University of Chicago scholars named a recipient of this year’s Norman Maclean Faculty Award.
Class action accuses Danone Water of containing microplastics
Danone Waters of America is facing a class action lawsuit that alleges the company misled consumers by labeling its products as "Natural Spring Water," when in fact they allegedly contain microplastics.
CVS says Redbox must remove its kiosks after contract expired
CVS Pharmacy has filed a lawsuit against Redbox Automated Retail LLC, alleging that the DVD rental company has refused to remove its kiosks from CVS stores despite the expiration of their contract.
Counties say Supreme Court decision chastising forced home sales over unpaid property tax bills shouldn't apply in IL
A group of Illinois counties, including DuPage, Lake, Kane and Will, argued that a class action lawsuit over "equity theft" should be tossed, despite a U.S. Supreme Court decision that appears to declare sales of entire homes to satisfy delinquent property tax bills to be unconstitutional takings
Family Office Tax Webinar Series: Compensation Strategies on February 27, 2024
Taxes can have a significant impact on family offices, influencing decisions around structure, investing and overall planning strategies.
Law School Clinic Helps Bring $50M Affordable Housing Development to West Side Neighborhood
Vacant lots in Chicago’s West Side will soon be transformed into a new six-story building containing 78 units of affordable and market rate rental housing, thanks in part to the work of faculty and students in the Law School’s Housing Initiative Transactional Clinic.
Loyola University Chicago Names Douglas W. Woods, PhD as Provost and Chief Academic Officer
Loyola University Chicago announced that Douglas W. Woods, PhD has been appointed as Provost and Chief Academic Officer, effective July 8, 2024.
BFKN Represents Client in Successful Chapter 15 Recognition
BFKN’s Bankruptcy & Creditor Rights Group represented, as co-counsel with Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones, Nexii Building Solutions Inc.
Judge invalidates 'Bring Chicago Home' real estate sales tax hike referendum
The judge said the referendum supported by Mayor Brandon Johnson in the name of fighting homelessness was illegally placed on the ballot. Supporters said the decision was racist 'voter suppression' and vowed appeal. Opponents say the referendum is a backdoor property tax increase with no safeguards on how the funds would be spent
Judge shuts down ex-Palatine HS teacher's First Amendment suit vs D211 over anti-BLM Facebook posts
A federal judge said the speech rights of teacher Jeanne Hedgepeth are trumped by student's feelings and the school district's need to minimize disruption that may be caused by unpopular opinions expressed by teachers.
Class action says BMO not applying extra customer loan payments to principal, forcing higher costs
BMO Bank has been accused in a class action lawsuit of improperly applying borrowers' payments towards future payments or interest-only, instead of the principal amount.
Man charged in child porn ring sues Jones Lang LaSalle for firing him after newspaper article published
A former employee of Jones Lang LaSalle, Norris N. Stauffer, has filed a lawsuit against JLL alleging wrongful termination and violation of his rights, because he had only been charged with a crime, and not tried or convicted at the time he was terminated.
Lawsuit claims Henyard smeared ex-Dolton building chief, falsely accusing her of fraud, forgery, theft
The lawsuit against Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard becomes latest to accuse the scandal-plagued official of misconduct, this time for allegedly sending campaign mailers that included known false accusations against former Dolton building department director Samysha Williams.
Class action accuses Forsage of allegedly misclassifying drivers, improperly deducting from their pay
The lawsuit alleges the company violated Illinois state wage law
Lurie hit with privacy class action over cyberattack
Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago is facing a class action lawsuit for allegedly failing to protect the private information of its patients during a cyberattack that started on January 31
Court fight erupts over ownership of Mr. Beef, restaurant that inspired 'The Bear'
The brother of longtime Mr. Beef proprietor, Joseph Zucchero, has filed suit against his niece and nephew, claiming they have wrongly devalued his ownership interest in the iconic Italian beef food stand following the death of their father last year. One of the defendants, Lauren Zucchero, said the lawsuit was "sad and unjust."