News from July 2024
Plaintiff accuses law firm of improper fee collection in medical malpractice settlement
A recent appellate court decision upheld an award granting attorney fees and costs despite no signed retainer agreement between Janet Bedin and O'Connor Law Group in relation to a medical malpractice suit involving her late mother’s estate.
Chicago drops first version of lawsuit vs Glock, refiles new complaint in Cook County, also accusing gun shops
The lawsuit is the first of its kind under a new Illinois state law designed to make gunmakers pay for allegedly making Chicago's gang-related gun violence problems worse. Specifically, the new lawsuit accuses Glock of allegedly making it too easy to modify Glock semiautomatic pistols into fully automatic "machine guns"
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes Two Lateral Attorneys
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP recently welcomed two lateral attorneys, including one partner and one associate, to its Chicago office.
NAWL 2024 Annual Meeting on July 24-25
Shareholder Lorie Skjerven Gildea is a panelist for the "Navigating the Legal Profession: From Judicial Clerkships to Career Insights" workshop on July 25, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. CT.
Rebecca Bush Joins Amundsen Davis as Lead of Employee Benefits, Executive Compensation & Tax Service Group
We are excited to announce that Rebecca Bush has joined us as a partner and leader of the firm’s new Employee Benefits, Executive Compensation & Tax Service Group in our Milwaukee office.
Soros-backed State's Attorney exonerates more than 250 since 2016 with city surpassing $300 million in payouts over the last decade
Most exonerations are based not on new evidence indicating innocence, but on extraordinary claims that police tortured suspects, fabricated evidence and colluded with prosecutors to win guilty verdicts.
Pakistani Muslim Attorney Sues Activist Website Over Alleged Harassment
Kinza Khan has filed a lawsuit against Wayne Levinson and Canary Mission over allegations of harassment and doxing following an incident in Chicago last year.
Tenants Allege Severe Negligence Against Landlords Leading To Personal Injuries
Tenants Stacy Young and Inez Young have accused landlords Uday Shankar and Shanku Shankar of severe negligence leading to health issues due to poor apartment maintenance. The case highlights alleged violations under Chicago Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance but faces procedural challenges in court.
Children's Hospital Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Massive Data Breach
A recent lawsuit filed against Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago highlights serious allegations regarding a significant data breach affecting over 792,000 patients' sensitive information. Filed on July 11, 2024 by Keren Gelfand on behalf of her children and others similarly situated, the complaint accuses the hospital of failing to implement adequate data security measures and delaying notification about the breach for nearly five months.
Former Employee Alleges Severe Racial Discrimination Against Auto Parts Manufacturer
Joshua James has filed a lawsuit against Brake Parts Inc., claiming severe racial discrimination and harassment during his employment from June 2022 to January 2024. The complaint details multiple instances where HR failed to address racially charged incidents adequately and seeks various forms of compensation through federal statutes violations.
Shareholders Caryn C. Lederer and Matthew J. Piers Speak on Election Law at Honorable John F. Grady Teachers Institute
Caryn C. Lederer and Matthew J. Piers served as faculty for the 2024 Honorable John F. Grady Teachers Institute, speaking on the role of courts in U.S. elections and HSPRD’s Illinois ballot challenge to Donald Trump’s candidacy for president.
Lewis Hamilton Named Dior’s Latest Brand Ambassador & Guest Designer
Christian Dior has signed British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton as its newest brand ambassador and guest designer for a new lifestyle capsule collection.
Amtrak and BNSF Railway Accused of Negligence Leading to Train Derailment
A recent lawsuit filed by Tammy Kamrud accuses Amtrak and BNSF Railway Company of negligence leading to a catastrophic train derailment near Joplin, Montana in September 2021. The plaintiffs seek compensatory damages for physical injuries and emotional trauma sustained during the incident.
Plaintiff sues homeowner over severe injuries caused by collapsing ceiling
A woman has filed a lawsuit against a homeowner after being severely injured by falling drywall at his residence due to water damage he allegedly neglected to address. The plaintiff seeks over $75,000 in damages for medical expenses and pain suffered.
Visually-Impaired Plaintiff Sues Online Retailer Over Website Inaccessibility
A visually-impaired plaintiff has filed a class action lawsuit against an online retailer alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) due to its inaccessible website. Filed in July 2024 in Illinois federal court by ESLIMERARI RAMOS against KAILAS INTERNATIONAL INC., doing business as PAGODA RED, the suit seeks both injunctive relief and damages.
Bike Rental Company Sues Software Partner Over Alleged Contract Breach
Go.Play.Everywhere LLC has filed a lawsuit against its long-time software partner Checkfront Inc., along with Rezdy LLC and Regiondo following a merger between these companies. The suit alleges breach of contract and unfair competition practices that jeopardize GPE's business operations.
Former Executive Accused of Breaching Non-Compete Agreement by Joining Competitor
Surge Staffing LLC has filed a lawsuit against former Executive Vice President Heather O'Brien for allegedly breaching her non-compete agreement by joining competitor SURESTAFF, LLC. The complaint seeks monetary damages and injunctive relief to prevent further misuse of confidential information.
CTA seeks to toss $3M verdict awarded to woman convicted of murdering, dismembering landlord
The Chicago Transit Authority has appealed a jury's verdict in favor of Sandra Kolalou for injuries she claimed she sustained in a bus accident, but who later was convicted of murdering and dismembering her landlady. The CTA says the trial judge wrongly went to "great lengths" to ensure jurors never learned of Kolalou's charges and jailing
Admiral at the Lake senior living facility can't escape biometrics class action over worker face scans
Appeals panel shoots down the legal strategy from the owners of the senior living center and rejected their contention the class action should be disallowed because the named plaintiff is merely a "figurehead" who knows next to nothing about the lawsuit he is supposedly leading
BFKN Named Best Midsize Law Firm in Chicago in 2025 Vault Rankings
BFKN is proud to announce that Vault, an industry leader renowned for providing law firm research to potential job candidates, has recognized the firm once again in 2025.