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This artist sketch depicts White House counsel Pat Cipollone speaking in the Senate chamber during the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday. Dana Verkouteren via AP

For senators, being silent jurors is hard

A widespread struggle with attention late Tuesday and early this morning as arguments in the abuse and obstruction trial stretched past midnight is a challenge anyone who’s served on a jury might understand, but senators try not to complain, given the enormous political stakes of the impeachment trial during the 2020 election year.
By Laurie Kellman
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Oak Park Democrat Harmon takes top Senate position

When Sen. Donald F. Harmon was sworn in as the 39th Senate president on Sunday, Sangamon County Associate Judge Rudolph M. Braud Jr. instructed the newly minted leader to raise his right hand.
By Timothy Eggert and Sarah Mansur

Springfield Dispatch

With law courses complete, Deputy Gov. Mitchell looks ahead

Earning a J.D. was an early goal for Illinois Deputy Gov. Christian L. Mitchell, who completed law school last month.
By Sarah Mansur

Law Firm Leaders

Attorney blends chemistry, law into interesting career brew

Caryn C. Borg-Breen, co-founder of Green, Griffith, Borg-Breen LLP, didn’t see herself using her chemistry background to pursue a legal career.
By Sarah Mansur

Class certification denied in 'Empire' JTDC suit

Two juvenile detainees suing Cook County for placing them in lockdown to film the TV show “Empire” will have to pursue their lawsuit alone for now after Chief U.S. District Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer denied them class status.
By Jessie M. Molloy

AG Raoul files amicus brief to halt courthouse arrests

The state’s top attorney is supporting a lawsuit that seeks to block federal agents from making civil immigration arrests inside and around state courthouses.
By Sarah Mansur

‘Frivolous’ lawsuit against Costco, Melrose Park officials dismissed

A federal judge last week dismissed a suit brought by a man who sued more than three dozen defendants after he was ticketed by police for leaving a Costco store without paying for the shrimp he allegedly ate.
By Jordyn Reiland

Ex-student’s claims against foreign veterinary school tossed again

A federal judge has turned away an ex-student of a Caribbean veterinary school who claimed he was misled into enrolling and kicked out for exposing cheats.
By Andrew Maloney

Courts & Cases

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Contributors

Trial Notebook

Garmisa

Court OKs divvying up ADA work claim

Brigid Ford’s principal argument on appeal to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals from partial summary judgment and a jury verdict in her hostile-work environment case under the Americans with Disabilities Act against the sheriff’s office in Marion County, Ind., was that the district judge erred by divvying up her ADA claim into two episodes.
By Steven P. Garmisa

Lawyers' Forum

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Home ownership, dividing asset can be difficult during divorce

After handling numerous short sales and loan modifications over the past 12 years, I have come to the conclusion that none is as trying as those between divorcing parties.
By Erica Minchella

Federal Courts

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$30M FTCA med-mal award put on hold over comparative fault

Today’s case looks at whether the judge in a bench trial in a Federal Tort Claims Act medical-malpractice action properly determined the plaintiff’s own comparative negligence or whether a remand was necessary in order to do so.
By Jay S. Judge

Cotter’s Corner

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Roberts’ role during impeachment is source of curiosity

Last week, we took a look back at the Warren Court and the large influence that it had on a variety of areas. The week before, we looked back on the prior decade. We return to the present day with a variety of historical events and a number of continuing discussions about the court.
By Daniel A. Cotter

Opening Statement

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Broadway-bound ‘Lehman Trilogy’ a sharp retelling of financial history

Recently, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to see a film presentation on the Northwestern University campus of the National Theatre of Great Britain’s live production of “The Lehman Trilogy” which is scheduled to open for a limited engagement on Broadway March 7 at the James M. Nederlander Theatre in New York City.
By Julian J. Frazin

Sports Marketing Playbook

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Top 10 sports marketing developments in the last decade

As the year 2020 ushers in a new decade, it’s evident that the past decade has seen numerous game-changing developments in sports and sports marketing, including unprecedented evolution in communication, technology and analytics to promote athletes, teams, leagues and brands.
By Douglas N. Masters and Seth A. Rose

Opening Statement

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Brazen ‘Dance Nation’ doesn’t find the rhythm at Steppenwolf

American theater, television and film audiences have held great and somewhat salacious interest in watching high school girls compete for athletic championships, academic or talent scholarships and the attention of the best-looking schoolmate.
By Julian J. Frazin

Lex Sportiva

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Ex-NFL players’ health-care scheme indictment a warning to all

On Dec. 6, the Department of Justice filed charges against 10 former NFL players alleging they operated or assisted in a fraudulent scheme that resulted in defrauding $3.9 million from the NFL’s health-care benefit program for retired NFL players. If the alleged scheme articulated in the indictments is found to be true, it is likely those involved will face prison time.
By Timothy Liam Epstein

Opening Statement

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Theater productions that have ‘three criteria’ in harmony

If there is anything I have learned from writing this column for the past 30 years, it’s that there are at least three basic criteria by which one can judge the merits of a production of a play or musical.
By Julian J. Frazin
All Contributors

Social Scene

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Clifford Law Offices hosts wellness seminar

Clifford Law Offices partner Erin Clifford spoke Thursday on “Sane Lawyering: Building Hardiness in the Provision of Legal Services” at a lunchtime program at her firm’s office. The program was sponsored by the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago and provided wellness advice on how to help someone or their colleagues excel personally and professionally. Photo courtesy of Clifford Law Offices.
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Ropes & Gray holds #MeToo panel

Ropes & Gray LLP hosted a panel on Wednesday to explore legal issues surrounding workplace sexual misconduct. Laura G. Hoey, managing partner of the firm’s Chicago office, moderated the discussion. On the panel were Boston-based partner James P. Dowden and New York-based partner Joan McPhee, who together led the U.S. Olympic Committee’s independent investigation into the abuse of gymnasts. Also on the panel were Boston-based partner Megan Bisk in the firm’s labor and employment group and Harlan A. Loeb and Patrick Hillman from the public relations firm Edelman.
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Novack and Macey volunteers help at GCFD

On Saturday, volunteers from Novack and Macey LLP’s Women’s Initiatives Group repacked food for distribution at the Greater Chicago Food Depository. The group is co-chaired by partner Rebekah H. Parker and associate Hannah B. Griffin.
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Salvi II speaks at Colorado seminar

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard Chicago Managing Partner Patrick A. Salvi II delivered a speech Dec. 13 at the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association’s Depositions: the ABC’s from VIPs seminar in Denver. Salvi’s speech was entitled “Expert Depositions: How to Attack Damages Experts,” was one of several presentations providing plaintiff’s attorneys with skills to use in auto, medical malpractice, products, employment, civil rights and other cases. Photo courtesy of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard

Special Publications

Women in Law - December 2019

Women in Law - December 2019

Chicago Lawyer applauds women in law

This special supplement from December lists some of the top women lawyers in the city.
40 Under Forty 2019

40 Under Forty 2019

Law Bulletin Media announces the Class of 2019

Success at any age is impressive. But to achieve it at an early age is even more of a feat. Congratulations to 40 Under Forty honorees for 2019.
Law Day 2019

Law Day 2019

Freedom and the First Amendment

Features on anti-BDS laws, Illinois FOIA, and state legal bills, as well as bar leader letters.
See all special publications

Career Center

Career Center Job Listings

Photo gallery with Top Stories

This artist sketch depicts White House counsel Pat Cipollone speaking in the Senate chamber during the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday. Dana Verkouteren via AP
Jan
22
Wed

For senators, being silent jurors is hard
Newly sworn-in Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, left, shakes hands with 7th Circuit Associate Judge Rudolph M. Braud Jr. after taking the oath of office, along with Gov. J.B. Pritzker, second from right, in the Illinois Senate at the Illinois State Capitol Sunday.
Jan
20
Mon

Oak Park Democrat Harmon takes top Senate position
Mailboxes for various departments line a hallway as detainees walk through the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Ga., last week. The rural town is about 140 miles southwest of Atlanta and next to the Georgia-Alabama state line. The town’s 1,172 residents are outnumbered by the roughly 1,650 male detainees that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said were being held in the detention center in late November.
Jan
17
Fri

Study finds chaos in immigration courts
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill this morning. On Wednesday night, the House formally delivered articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the U.S. Senate.
Jan
16
Thu

Pelosi warns Senate not to be Trump’s ‘henchmen’ in trial
In a suit stemming from the massive class-action case against the NFL over former players’ concussions, a litigation finance company sued a Florida attorney in Chicago federal court alleging he helped secure loans for several ex-athletes who won’t actually be eligible for compensation from the league’s proposed 10-figure settlement.
Jan
15
Wed

Litigaton financier sues lawyer over loans to NFL players
Last month, Illinois Deputy Gov. Christian L. Mitchell completed his law school degree requirements through Loyola University Chicago School of Law’s weekend J.D. program. Mitchell notes that his desire to become a lawyer stems from when his aunt, Donna Gist, had her first-degree murder conviction thrown out in 2000.
Jan
14
Tue

With law courses complete, Deputy Gov. Mitchell looks ahead