Cozen-9-19-19,ph01 — Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies lobbyists Patrick L. Carey (left), Darren Collier (center) and John F. Dunn (right) pose together at Cozen O’Connor’s office earlier this month. The law firm’s government relations subsidiary added the three professionals who each previously worked with Cozen colleague Patrick G. Martin during his time with McGuireWoods Consulting. – Photo provided by Cozen O’Connor/Andrew Collings

Cozen O'Connor adds three lobbyists in Chicago

Since Cozen O’Connor’s lobbying arm expanded to Chicago more than a year ago, the law firm’s subsidiary has added four lobbyists to its government relations team, including John F. Dunn, Darren Collier and Patrick L. Carey earlier this month.

By Sarah Mansur

Asian bar leader Zhao aims to raise profile

A recent study, “A Portrait of Asian Americans in the Law,” revealed Asian Americans make up nearly 5% of lawyers in the country but remain woefully underrepresented in leadership positions throughout the profession.

By Sarah Mansur

Judge OKs suit against defunct racetracks’ directors

It’s off to the races for a bankruptcy trustee, who got the go-ahead to seek $20 million he alleges was misappropriated by the directors of two defunct horse-racing tracks.

By Patricia Manson

Amicus Curious

Chicago attorney led legal effort in $725M forced-buyout dispute

When biotech pioneer Dr. Wayne Ryan was forced out of the multimillion-dollar company he founded and led for decades, there was bound to be a legal dispute.

By Andrew Maloney

In Chambers

In juvenile court, Ramirez rewards good schoolwork

When Cook County Circuit Judge Cynthia Ramirez took the bench in the court’s Juvenile Justice Division five years ago, she didn’t want to just hear cases. She made it her goal to create a courtroom “theme” around the importance of education.

By Jordyn Reiland

Law Firm Leaders

Ex-congressman returns to law with years of political know-how

Former U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, who recently joined Sidley Austin LLP as a partner, has only lost two elections during his 25-year career in elected office.

By Sarah Mansur

Judge: DOJ can’t withhold funds from ‘sanctuary’ cities

The Trump administration ran afoul of federal law and the U.S. Constitution when it tried to withhold grant money from so-called sanctuary cities, a judge ruled Thursday.

By Patricia Manson

$8.4M to mechanic exposed to asbestos

An Edwardsville law firm obtained a verdict of more than $8.4 million last month in St. Louis against Ford Motor Co. on behalf of a former mechanic exposed to asbestos in auto parts.

By Jordyn Reiland

Hospital patients can’t sue guard over hostage standoff

Two hospital patients trapped in their rooms after an inmate escaped and took hostages don’t have a case against the guard who unshackled the detainee, a federal appeals court held.

By Patricia Manson

Probationer’s social media ban argued before Supreme Court

The high court heard arguments Wednesday in a case brought by a convicted sex offender banned from social media as a result of his probation.

By Adrianna Pitrelli

CDLB People

Polsinelli P.C. elevated Chicago office managing partner Mary Clare Bonaccorsi to cross departmental litigation chair.

Lavelle Law Ltd. founding partner Kerry M. Lavelle will lead a discussion at a free Food Industry Legal Workshop on Oct. 24.

Lavelle Law Ltd. attorney Joseph V. Vito will speak at a free Food Industry Legal Workshop on Oct. 24.

In the News

Bid to ship case to new court fails

Trying to avoid the one-year deadline for removing a case to federal court based on diversity of citizenship, James Toomsen and Michael Wiarda relied on the exception for cases where the plaintiff “acted in bad faith in order to prevent a defendant from removing the action.”

By Steven P. Garmisa

Gorsuch book seems to say one thing, runs counter to reality

Supreme Court Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, with former law clerks, Jane Nitze and David Feder, has written a book, “A Republic, If You Can Keep It.” The title refers to a response from Ben Franklin to a question posited by citizens in Philadelphia following the creation of the U.S. Constitution.

By Daniel A. Cotter

Constitutional Convention began with enabling act

In 2019 and 2020, Illinois will be observing the semicentennial of the sixth Illinois Constitutional Convention and of its product, the 1970 Illinois Constitution. This is the first of three columns describing how the process of holding the convention and electing members of the convention came about.

By Ann M. Lousin

New social media marketing site spotlights lesser-known athletes

Athletes have been treated as bona fide celebrities for decades with marquee players achieving a similar level of fame as music and acting luminaries. Yet relatively few athletes hit this celebrity stratosphere and, in general, athletes tend to struggle more than other celebrities and influencers to build their own personal brands.

By Douglas N. Masters and Seth A. Rose

40 Under Forty 2019

Attorneys from across Chicago gathered Thursday night at Smith & Wollensky restaurant to celebrate Law Bulletin Media’s 20th annual 40 Under Forty class. Pictured toward the right is Kathryn L. Conway, an associate at Power Rogers & Smith LLP and one of this year’s honorees. Rena Naltsas

Sotomayor at Senn

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia M. Sotomayor visited Senn High School in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood on Wednesday for a discussion and signing for her new children’s book, “Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You.” The discussion was moderated by Abby M. Mollen, a partner at Bartlit Beck LLP. Pictured is Sotomayor (center) with several event attendees, including attorneys Claudia Elizabeth Castro and Anna M. Lozoya and Cook County Circuit Judges Beatriz Santiago, Rosa Maria Silva and Diana Rosario. Photo provided by Judge Beatriz Santiago

Professionalism pledge

U.S. District Judge Edmond E. Chang administers a professionalism pledge to first-year students at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law earlier this month. Each year, the state’s nine law schools host orientations on legal professionalism facilitated by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. Photo provided by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism

WBAI golf outing

The Women’s Bar Association of Illinois held its 24th annual WBAI Golf Outing Friday at Glenview Park Golf Club. The event drew 120 golfers including, from left, Betsy Nelson, WBAI President Corinne C. Heggie, Deane Brown and Annika Mitchell. The outing also featured a cocktail and dinner reception as well as raffle prizes such as signed Chicago Bears jerseys, boat cruises and hotel getaways.

Amicus Curious

In Chambers

Law Firm Leaders

Court Opinions

Case Summaries

Trial Notebook

Cotter’s Corner

Law and Public Issues

Opening Statement

Sports Marketing Playbook

Lex Sportiva

Opening Statement

Social Scene

40 Under Forty 2019

Sotomayor at Senn

Professionalism pledge

WBAI golf outing

Women in Law

Chicago Lawyer applauds women in law

Law Day 2019

Freedom and the First Amendment

Forty Under 40

Here's the Class of 2018

Associate

Associate Attorney

JOB POSTING-ATTORNEYS

Public Finance&Taxation Associate

Cozen O'Connor adds three lobbyists in Chicago

Asian bar leader Zhao aims to raise profile

Judge OKs suit against defunct racetracks’ directors

Amtrak derailment victims awarded $17M

Evans wins seventh term as chief judge

SCOTUS OKs enforcement of new asylum rule