Illinois Lawyer Blog

The hits just keep on coming for former all-American boy Lance Armstrong and his team. Back in 2004, Armstrong was America’s hero, riding his bike for the U.S. Postal team and winning the Tour de France. According to published reports, Armstrong’s salary in 2004 was $4.5 million. Yes, $4.5 million to ride that bike. And, his agreement provided that… Read More

Meredith Rodriquez had an interesting story in the Chicago Tribune on a lawsuit recently filed by a former college football player. The allegations rise disturbing questions about how players are coached and the equipment they use. Nathaniel Irvin filed suit in the Circuit Court of Cook County claiming that he suffered brain damage as a result of poor coaching… Read More

Saw an article yesterday by Patricia Manson in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin that might keep patent infringement lawyers up at night. In 2007 Inventor Daniel Henderson made some statements to the US Patent and Trademark Office[PTO] concerning certain wireless technology. Based upon those statements Raymond Niro, Paul K. Vickrey, David J. Mahalek and Paul C. G… Read More

This story out of California didn’t get much play in the press, for whatever reason. Ms. Rosario Juarez was hired by AutoZone in 2000 as a Customer Service Representative at a store just south of San Diego, California. In April of 2001 she was promoted to Parts Sale Manager. In October, 2004, she was promoted to Store Manager. In September of 2005, Juare… Read More

Saw an article by Chris Gayomali at fastcompany.com that ruined my day. Gayomali wasdiscussing a recent report from Forrester, amarket research firm. The report, entitled “Facebook has Finally Killed Organic Reach. What Should Marketers Do Next?”, written by Nate Elliott. Elliot’s report examined what social relationship[read media] strategie… Read More

For ages it has been nearly impossible to hold an employer responsible when one of it’s employees sexually assaults a third party while that employee is supposed to be working. The legal principle is that employers are not liable for the acts of their employees if those acts are outside the scope of employment. And of course, sexual assault is ALWAYS out… Read More

Saw a VERY interesting article by Patrick M. O’Connell in the Chicago Tribune the other day about some wacky behavior in Park Ridge. 400 West Talcott, LLC [“Talcott”]is a Chicago-based real estate developer. Talcott wanted to put a four story condominium building in Park Ridge. The project had to be approved by the Park Ridge Planning and Zon… Read More

The Family and Medical Leave Act[“FMLA”]is terrific legislation – and provides that under certain circumstances, an employee can take up to 12 weeks off per year[unpaid] without the threat of job loss. But when a worker gets hurt at work, sometimes employers use FMLA as a sword instead of a shield. I see this quite a bit – an employee g… Read More