News from 2024
Former Employee Alleges Racial Discrimination Against Major Travel Center Chain
Christopher Henson has filed a lawsuit against Pilot Travel Centers LLC d/b/a Pilot Flying J alleging severe racial discrimination and harassment during his tenure as a Maintenance Laborer from November 2023 until his termination in March 2024. The case outlines numerous instances of racial slurs and unfair treatment by supervisors leading up to his wrongful termination.
Former Employee Alleges Real Estate Firm Engaged in Tortious Interference
Bryan Younge has filed a lawsuit against his former employer Cushman & Wakefield alleging wrongful conduct leading up to his resignation in June 2016. His complaint includes claims of tortious interference by a former colleague Eric Lewis and negligent supervision by the company itself.
Property Management Company Cleared of Negligence Claims Over Parking Lot Fall
A Cook County court has dismissed a negligence lawsuit against a property management company after finding claims speculative regarding a plaintiff's fall on icy pavement. Rossmid Lopez-Arana alleged poor maintenance led to her injuries but failed to prove an unnatural accumulation of ice caused by pavement cracks.
Charities Accuse Trustee of Misappropriating Over $290K in Trust Funds
Shriners Hospitals for Children and the American Heart Association have accused Richard M. Ruggiero of misappropriating over $290K from a revocable living trust meant for charitable distributions following a benefactor's death.
Lawyers slated to get as much as $40M from $100M CDK car dealer class action settlement
Software maker CDK has reached a deal to pay $100 million to settle thousands of car dealerships' antitrust claims accusing CDK of inflating the cost of their Dealer Management Systems. Dealers have until Jan. 2025 to submit a claim for a share of about $60 million that could be left after lawyers are paid
Chicago off the hook for big payout for red light ticket refunds: Appeals panel
Unanimous ruling holds there is a time limit on seeking refunds even when the city illegally collected the fines. The ruling could allow the city to keep more than $200 million collected from red light camera tickets which the city improperly collected.
IL appeals court greenlights biometrics class actions vs eyewear sellers over 'virtual try-on' tool
An Illinois state appeals court has said federal judges were wrong to block potential big money class actions against online eyeglass sellers under Illinois' biometrics privacy law, saying an exclusion for 'health care' shouldn't apply to companies using 'virtual try-on' tools to sell non-prescription glasses
Bridging Disciplines: Northwestern Pritzker Law JD-PhD Alumni Redefine the Intersection of Law and Academia
In May 2024, Ryan Whalen (JD-PhD ’16), director of the University of Hong Kong’s Center for Interdisciplinary Legal Studies, helped organize the school’s first “Law &…” conference on interdisciplinary legal research.
Building Joint Ventures Using the Mentor-Protege Program on September 5, 2024
Join us at the City of Chicago's in-person 2024 Procurement Symposium, featuring stimulating discussions and a unique platform for business owners to showcase their enterprises at any stage of their entrepreneurial journey.
Patient Sues Pharmaceutical Company Over Alleged Hearing Loss Caused by Thyroid Eye Disease Drug
Linda Bailey has filed a lawsuit against Horizon Therapeutics USA Inc., claiming their drug Tepezza caused her permanent hearing damage. Filed on August 23, 2024 in Illinois federal court, the suit alleges that despite knowing about these risks early on, Horizon failed to warn patients or healthcare providers adequately.
Former Employee Alleges Disability Discrimination Against Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital
Jaclyn Diaferio has filed a lawsuit against Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital alleging multiple violations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The case includes claims of discrimination based on disability, failure to accommodate her condition properly at work leading up to wrongful termination after testing positive for THC due to prescribed medication.
Former Employee Alleges Racial Discrimination Against Landscaping Company
A former automotive technician has filed a lawsuit against Mariani Enterprises alleging racial discrimination and harassment by his supervisor. The plaintiff seeks compensatory damages for emotional distress among other forms of relief.
Retired Teacher Sues Evanston/Skokie School District Over Pension Miscalculation
A retired teacher has filed a lawsuit against Evanston/Skokie School District 65 for failing to accurately calculate her sick days needed for a full pension after early retirement taken to care for her terminally ill husband. The plaintiff seeks compensatory damages among other reliefs due to alleged gross negligence by district officials.
Local Resident Accuses Popular Restaurant Chain of Disability Discrimination
Lois White has filed a lawsuit against Rock Bottom Group LLC alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act due to accessibility barriers at their Orland Park location.
Illinois ban on carrying concealed weapons on transit unconstitutional, judge says
A Rockford federal judge particularly called a legal theory advanced by Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx that government can ban guns on all public property "breathtaking, jawdropping, and eyepopping" for the harm it could deliver to constitutional rights everywhere
Generative AI Best Practices for Law Firms on September 4, 2024
Kristina Bakardjiev, J. Michael Coburn, Jeffrey Klamut, and Joseph F. Rich will speak on the panel "Generative AI Best Practices for Law Firms" at the 2024 EPIC Law Firm Group Best Practices Forum in Chicago, Illinois.
Summer Experiences: Ally Swartzberg, ’25, Summer Associate, Proskauer Rose LLP
lly Swartzberg, ’26, followed her interest in sports law to New York City this summer where she worked as a summer associate for Proskauer Rose LLP, a law firm that focuses on legal work in the sports industry.
Assistant State's Attorney Sues Cook County Over Alleged Racial And Age Discrimination
Nancy Adduci has filed a lawsuit against Kimberly Foxx and Cook County alleging racial and age discrimination after being demoted from her role as Director of the Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU). The case raises serious questions about employment practices within one of Illinois' most prominent prosecutorial offices.
Former Employee Alleges Racial Discrimination Against AGI Cargo
Brandon Brown has filed a lawsuit against AGI Cargo LLC alleging racial discrimination during his tenure as Ramp Lead from March 31st until July end this year . The complaint includes claims about unfair treatment ,harassment ,and retaliation following protected activity.
Former Employee Alleges Severe Sexual Harassment Against Fence Company
Alexis Lane has filed a lawsuit against Peerless Enterprises alleging severe sexual harassment by her manager and discriminatory practices related to her pregnancy. Filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on August 23rd, Lane seeks various forms of relief including back pay and compensatory damages.