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PC1 11-29-21,ph01
Actor Jussie Smollett and family members arrive Monday at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse. Smollett is accused of lying to police when he reported he was the victim of a racist, anti-gay attack in downtown Chicago nearly three years ago. He is charged with felony disorderly conduct, a class 4 felony. – AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

Lawyer: Jussie Smollett ‘a real victim’ of attack in Chicago

Jussie Smollett “is a real victim” of a “real crime,” his attorney said Monday, rejecting prosecutors’ allegation that he staged a homophobic and racist attack in Chicago after the television studio where he worked didn’t take hate mail he had received seriously.
By Don Babwin and Sara Burnett
districts-11-24-21,ph01

Pritzker signs new Illinois congressional map into law

Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Illinois’ new congressional district map into law Tuesday, formalizing political boundaries drawn to help Democrats in next year’s midterm elections, when Republicans are well positioned to win control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
By Sara Burnett
PC1 11-18-21,ph01

Kyle Rittenhouse cleared of all charges in Kenosha shootings

KENOSHA, Wis. — Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted of all charges Friday after pleading self-defense in the deadly Kenosha shootings that became a flashpoint in the debate over guns, vigilantism and racial injustice in the U.S.
By Michael Tarm, Scott Bauer and Amy Forliti

How I Did It

Attorney David Pritchard now explores big themes as author

Most in the Chicago law scene know the name David J. Pritchard — but perhaps not as a meditative author. Now retired from law, Pritchard has written a book about consciousness, drawing on experiences including decades of medical casework.
By Grace Barbic

DuPage deputy who killed teen must face lawsuit

A federal appeals court held Monday that it lacks jurisdiction to consider whether qualified immunity shields a DuPage County sheriff’s deputy from a lawsuit filed by the estate of a 17-year-old he shot to death.
By Patricia Manson

What are the charges in the Jussie Smollett trial?

The twists, turns and oddities of the legal saga surrounding Jussie Smollett’s claim in 2019 that he was the target of a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago have culminated in an actual trial, which entered its first full day of testimony Tuesday.
By Michael Tarm

Inmate’s case over discovery materials revived

A federal appeals court held Monday that a judge erred when he threw out a lawsuit accusing Wisconsin prison officials of losing or destroying an inmate’s legal materials without giving him an opportunity to amend the action.
By Emma Oxnevad

Ill. House Democratic leader Greg Harris to retire

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois House Democratic Leader Greg Harris said Monday he will not seek reelection in 2022 and will step down from the General Assembly after eight terms in office.
By Peter Hancock

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Contributors

Trial Notebook

TNB-11-30-21,ph01

Bank must defend its accounting in overdraft penalty case

Wanda Sue Butcher alleged South State Bank violated a federal rule (“Regulation E”) when she signed up for “overdraft protection” by failing to disclose that it used an accounting technique (“the available balance bookkeeping method”) as an excuse for routinely slapping overdraft fees on customers who actually had enough money in their accounts to pay for transactions.
By Steven P. Garmisa

Employment Law

Bryan Johnson-11-30-21,ph01

Blackhawks’ response to abuse claim shows need for better crisis strategy

A sexual assault scandal has rocked the Chicago Blackhawks, one of the NHL’s Original Six. Kyle Beach, a former Blackhawks player, alleges that he was sexually assaulted by a team video coach during the 2010 Stanley Cup playoff run.
By Bryan Johnson

Realty Check

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Paying real estate tax obligations when there is no escrow to cover the costs

When a residential property is free of liens, there is no longer a lender to assure that an escrow is in place to pay real estate taxes and insurance. If you are dealing with clients who may have paid off their mortgages and home equity lines of credit, you may want to check to make sure that your clients are paying their real estate taxes and maintaining insurance.
By Erica Minchella

Cotter’s Corner

Daniel Cotter-11-29-21,ph01

The SCOTUS drip: Opinions will trickle out till summer brings the usual torrent

The Supreme Court resumes hearing oral arguments Monday, and the biggest case this week is Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the abortion case out of Mississippi.
By Daniel A. Cotter

Opening Statement

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Fan favorite ‘Love, Actually’ tickles as on-stage farce

“Love, Actually” is a 2003 romantic comedy about the ups and downs of eight different but interrelated couples in London.
By Julian J. Frazin

Opening Statement

frazin-11-19-21,ph01

Pre-Broadway ‘Paradise Square,’ now in Chicago, needs shaping

Chicago has played host to many pre-Broadway theater openings and become the launching pad for a number of Broadway’s biggest hits.
By Julian J. Frazin

Opening Statement

frazin-11-12-21,ph01

‘Remember This’ takes stage as antidote to historical lies

Today “the big lie” often refers to the former president’s refusal to accept the results of the last presidential election. Remember he also charged that the failure of his reality TV show to win an Emmy was only because balloting was supposedly rigged.
By Julian J. Frazin

Opening Statement

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Butler shines in ‘Fannie’ at Goodman’s Owen Theater

Ever since that day more than 400 years ago when they first arrived in America aboard slave ships from Africa, Black Americans have been the most maligned and oppressed of any group in this country.
By Julian J. Frazin

Sports Marketing Playbook

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College athletes sprint to cash in on name, image, likeness ventures

University of Miami Hurricanes quarterback D’Eriq King is showing what’s possible now that the National Collegiate Athletic Association has lifted its ban on college athletes making money off their own names and images.
By Douglas N. Masters and Seth A. Rose
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Social Scene

Social 11-30-21,ph01

Ropes & Gray volunteers at Food Depository

Elizabeth Madsen, from left, Kori Fahrner and Kacie Brinkman were among Ropes & Gray lawyers and staff who volunteered at the Greater Chicago Food Depository earlier this month. The group prepared 7,920 pounds of apples, 8,920 pounds of food and 14,033 meals, the firm said. The Food Depository benefits hundreds of food assistance programs across Cook County. Photo courtesy Ropes & Gray
PC1 11-23-21,ph01

Circuit Court of Cook County celebrates National Adoption Day

The Circuit Court of Cook County celebrated National Adoption Day at the Richard J. Daley Center on Friday. “It’s the end of uncertainty for these families and it is the beginning of a bond, a seal, that is forever, that is going to put these parents and these children together and enlarge all of their lives at the same time,” said Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans, right. Associate Judge Patrick T. Stanton, left, presided over a virtual adoption. Courts open the typically private proceedings to the public on the holiday to encourage others to consider adoption. Grace Barbic/Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
PC1 11-22-21,ph01

Kevin Conway accepts award at Lawyers for the Creative Arts event

Attorney Kevin Conway of Cooney & Conway accepts the 2021 Thomas Leavens Award for outstanding service to Lawyers for the Creative Arts at the group’s benefit lunch Nov. 11. More than 300 people attended the event at the Palmer House Hilton. Attorney-actor Ruth Kaufman and Perkins Coie LLP were also honored, as were several musicians and music-industry figures from Chicago. Photo by Rena Naltsas/Courtesy of LCA
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New Illinois attorneys sworn in

Illinois Supreme Court justices applaud in Springfield during Wednesday’s bar admission ceremony, held virtually for the 1,269 new attorneys in Illinois. Chief Justice Anne M. Burke, center, noted the new attorneys now “share in the grand history of the American legal system.” She quoted former Chief Justice Mary Ann G. McMorrow: “Let us never, ever forget simple humanity. …Let us never forget that the law is first and foremost about human beings and their problems.” Of the new attorneys, 1,024 are in the 1st District; 127 are in the 2nd District; 41 are in the 3rd District; 48 are in the 4th District; and 29 are in the 5th District. — Screenshot via BlueRoomStream

Special Publications

40 Under Forty 2021

40 Under Forty 2021

Law Bulletin Media announces the Class of 2021

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 2021.
Salute! Women in Law

Salute! Women in Law

The 2nd class for Salute! Women in Law

Meet the exceptional women in law recognized in our 2nd annual Salute! awards.
Return to Work

Return to Work

Heading back to the office

Court leaders share tips for success, and follow these steps to navigate the transition.
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Photo gallery with Top Stories

Actor Jussie Smollett and family members arrive Monday at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse. Smollett is accused of lying to police when he reported he was the victim of a racist, anti-gay attack in downtown Chicago nearly three years ago. He is charged with felony disorderly conduct, a class 4 felony.
Nov
29
Mon

Lawyer: Jussie Smollett ‘a real victim’ of attack in Chicago
Illinois State Reps. Avery Bourne, R-Morrisonville, and Tim Butler, R-Springfield, listen to testimony during a House Redistricting Committee hearing at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield Oct. 20. Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Illinois' new congressional district map into law Tuesday.
Nov
24
Wed

Pritzker signs new Illinois congressional map into law
Clyde McLemore, founder of the Black Lives Matter North Chicago chapter, left, argues with Patricia McCloskey, right, as her husband, Mark, center, gives an interview in front of the Kenosha County Courthouse during Kyle Rittenhouse's trial Tuesday. The McCloskeys became known for waving guns at protestors in their St. Louis subdivision last year. The jury found Rittenhouse not guilty on all charges Friday.
Nov
19
Fri

Kyle Rittenhouse cleared of all charges in Kenosha shootings
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 President John Catanzara speaks to reporters as he leaves a Chicago Police Board hearing in the Loop Monday.
Nov
17
Wed

Controversial Chicago police union president retires as cop
Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Steve Dickson, left, speaks with Nadia Milleron, seated center and Michael Stumo, seated left, and Andrew Appelbaum, seated right, before the start of a committee hearing on aviation safety last week. Milleron and Stumo lost their daughter, Samya Stumo, in the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737-Max plane.
Nov
11
Thu

Boeing agrees to allow families of Ethiopia crash victims to sue in U.S.
An Exam Corp Lab employee, right, wears a mask as she talks with a patient lined up for COVID-19 testing in suburban Niles last year. Millions of U.S. workers would have a Jan. 4 deadline to get a COVID vaccine under new requirements for workers at companies with more than 100 employees.
Nov
09
Tue

Government: Vaccine rule should remain while cases play out