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A bowl of cat food. Two owners of cats with health problems have another shot at their class-action suit against PetSmart and Hill’s Pet Nutrition, after a federal appeals panel reversed its earlier dismissal. They allege the Prescription Diet line of food is sold at a higher price and seemingly required a veterinarian’s prescription, when it’s actually a nonprescription product. – Pixabay photo/Crepessuzette via public domain

High-stakes quibble over high-end kibble

A federal appeals court on Tuesday revived a dismissed class-action lawsuit against Hill’s Pet Nutrition and PetSmart over a line of expensive cat food branded as prescription-only that is “not materially different” from regular cat food.
By David Thomas
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Passenger challenges rideshare immunity

The state law regulating rideshare services is coming under constitutional scrutiny in the wake of an alleged sexual assault.
By Andrew Maloney
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House speaker’s ex-chief fueled ‘bullying’ culture

A legislative watchdog has substantiated harassment claims against a former top Democratic aide, though other harassment and retaliation claims could not be proven.
By Adrianna Pitrelli

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

Amicus Curious

Fox Rothschild attorney serves as dealmaker in cannabis boom

When William Bogot spoke with the Daily Law Bulletin, he’d just helped engineer what could be the largest legal cannabis deal in American history.
By Andrew Maloney

$1.6M award for train conductor after crash

A federal jury awarded $1.6 million to a train conductor who sustained shoulder and back injuries after he was injured as the passenger in a rear-ended company van on his way to work.
By Jordyn Reiland

Abortion provider gets preliminary injunction to operate clinic

A federal appeals court on Thursday cleared the way for a South Bend, Ind., clinic that provides medicinal abortions to continue operating — at least for now.
By Patricia Manson

Transgender inmate’s suit nixed by split panel

Qualified immunity shields Wisconsin prison officials from a lawsuit accusing them of violating the constitutional rights of a transgender inmate whose request for sex-reassignment surgery was denied, a divided federal appeals court held.
By Patricia Manson

Former Mandell Menkes attorneys launch boutique firm

Three Mandell Menkes LLC attorneys have launched a new boutique firm — and they are bringing over some high-profile clients.
By Sarah Mansur

Courts & Cases

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Contributors

Trial Notebook

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Woman can keep bonus despite debt

Every year Jennifer Brown worked for Caterpillar Inc. she received a bonus under the company’s short-term incentive plan, or STIP. So when Brown petitioned for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in central Illinois on Aug. 17, 2018, the trustee calculated the appropriate pro rata share and requested a turnover order for 62.7% of that year’s bonus, based on the “sufficiently rooted in the prebankruptcy past” standard used by the U.S. Supreme Court in Segal v. Rochelle.
By Steven P. Garmisa

Legal History

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August 23

See if you know what happened on this day in Legal History with Karen Conti.
By Karen Conti

Opening Statement

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Fairy tales don’t get lost in ‘Woods’ at Writers’ Theatre

You might say that the musical “Into the Woods,” with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a Tony Award-winning book by James Lapine, is a fairy tale for adults.
By Julian J. Frazin

Opening Statement

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At Windy City Playhouse, an inadvisable ‘Recommendation’

Immersive theater, where a staged production interacts with the audience, is an age-old tradition.
By Julian J. Frazin

Sports Marketing Playbook

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Edgy sponsorship deals featuring outspoken athletes are trending

An increasing number of U.S. athletes and sponsors are teaming up to embrace hot-button social justice issues and actively court controversy, following the high-profile trail blazed by Nike and former National Football League quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
By Douglas N. Masters and Seth A. Rose

Lex Sportiva

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ADA standards may put MLB parks in a bind

Fans in wheelchairs often face added difficulty when searching for a perfect seat at the ballpark. With fewer handicap accessible seats near the front row or infield, standing spectators frequently block the view of the action on the field.
By Timothy Liam Epstein

Time-out

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NBA labor contract appears to be paper thin

At the conclusion of every case, I remind my clients of their essential responsibility of ensuring the enforcement of their settlement contract or judgment. I emphasize to them the notion that without enforcement, rules are just words on a piece of paper.
By Amy N. Schiller
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Social Scene

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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.
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Autopsy on Epstein

New York City medical examiner personnel leave their vehicle and walk to the Manhattan Correctional Center where financier Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide Saturday in New York while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. Story on page 3. AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews
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Acting FBI director Andrew McCabe listens on Capitol Hill in Washington in 2017, while testifying before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on major threats facing the U.S. McCabe, a frequent target of President Donald Trump’s ire, sued the FBI and the Justice Department on Thursday over his firing. The lawsuit says the firing was part of Trump’s plan to rid the bureau of leaders he perceived as disloyal to him.
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Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. Chicago managing partner Patrick A. Salvi II (left) was presented with the American Association for Justice’s 2019 Wiedemann & Wysocki Award July 28 at the association’s PAC M-Club Luncheon. Salvi is pictured with his wife Julianna, son Patrick Salvi III, mother Lindy, daughter Victoria, and father Patrick Salvi. The Wiedemann & Wysocki Award recognizes association members committed to the association’s Political Action Committee and the principles of the civil justice system. Photo provided by Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard

Special Publications

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.
Women in Law

Women in Law

Meet the Class of 2019

A special supplement to Chicago Lawyer lists some of the top women lawyers in the city.
Forty Under 40

Forty Under 40

Here's the Class of 2018

Congratulations to Forty Under 40 honorees for 2018.
See all special publications

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Photo gallery with Top Stories

A bowl of cat food. Two owners of cats with health problems have another shot at their class-action suit against PetSmart and Hill’s Pet Nutrition, after a federal appeals panel reversed its earlier dismissal. They allege the Prescription Diet line of food is sold at a higher price and seemingly required a veterinarian’s prescription, when it’s actually a nonprescription product.
Aug
23
Fri

High-stakes quibble over high-end kibble
A ride share car displays Lyft and Uber stickers on its front windshield in this 2016 file photo. The 1st District Appellate Court this month accepted an appeal from a Lyft passenger that was allegedly attacked by her driver. She seeks a ruling that rideshare services should be subject to vicarious liability for drivers’ actions in the same way common carriers owe a duty to passengers.
Aug
22
Thu

Passenger challenges rideshare immunity
An investigation into the workplace culture of Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan’s office found his former chief of staff contributed to a widespread culture of bullying throughout the Capitol system. Madigan is pictured at the Illinois Democratic County Chairs' Association brunch in Springfield on Aug. 14.
Aug
21
Wed

House speaker’s ex-chief fueled ‘bullying’ culture
The former location of the Long Grove Apple Haus in downtown Long Grove in 2012. The new owner of the building sued the confectionary business that operated the bakery, alleging it owned use of the “Apple Haus” mark after purchasing the property.
Aug
19
Mon

Judge: Buyer of historic building didn't inherit trademark
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, in her role as chair of the Cook County Democratic Party, addresses reporters after the party announced its slate of candidates for the March 2020 primary on Friday at the IBEW’s South Side headquarters.
Aug
19
Mon

Cook County Dems complete slate for judicial, county posts
Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot addresses the audience Thursday after receiving the Woman of Vision Award given by Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP. The event was held at the old Stock Exchange Trading Room at the Art Institute. Lightfoot said women should increasingly take a larger role in leadership positions.
Aug
16
Fri

Lightfoot gets award, called visionary