Illinois Lawyer Blog

The September 20, 2010 Crain’s Chicago Business did an article on how some former Chicago big firm lawyers, having been downsized, are now starting their own firms. The article goes into detail about where the particular lawyer had formerly practiced, what led to his or her departure, and the trials and tribulations these lawyers face as they learn to pr… Read More

A very intriguing case with local implications is about to unfold next week in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A group of 31 people that lived or had businesses in McHenry County, Illinois is suing Rohm and Haas Chemicals, a subsidiary of Dow Chemical. The plaintiffs are alleging that for over 50 years, Rohm and Haas spilled, leaked and dumped toxic chemicals into… Read More

Something else that was overlooked by the Chicago-area news outlets… A federal jury in Winnebago County, Illinois recently hammered Chrysler in a religious and ethnic harassment case. Otto May, a Cuban-born Jew, had worked at the Belvidere, Illinois Chrysler plant for 22 years as a pipefitter. During that time he had been repeatedly harassed because of h… Read More

In the very near future I will be filing a lawsuit on behalf of an elderly client who lives in the City. The complaint will allege that one day, my client was sitting on his front porch, alone, enjoying a summer evening, listening to the ballgame. Then for no reason, my client’s neighbor, a much younger man, suddenly rushed over, grabbed my client and be… Read More

Didn’t see much coverage of this in the local press, probably because of the Blago insanity. But this week a Cook County jury awarded $30.4 million dollars to Geraldo Solis, who suffers from bronchiolitis obliterans, or “popcorn lung disease”. Popcorn lung disease typically affects workers exposed to substances used in the manufacture of micr… Read More

Trial attorneys have taking a beating of late. The media, late night talk show hosts, Republican hacks/flacks… This video, forwarded by another Illinois lawyer is a great rebuttal. Enjoy! A World Without Lawyers – Watch more funny videos here Read More

Saw on Twitter that the California legislature had approved a $20 million dollar settlement to the family of Jaycee Dugard[pictured above] the woman kidnapped as a child and held captive for 18 years by paroled sex offender Phillip Garrido. While being held, Dugard lived in a backyard shack on Garrido’s property. Additionally Garriodo fathered two childr… Read More

Interesting opinion recently issued by the Second District of the Illinois Appellate Court. The facts are tragic. In Bell v. Hutsell, Daniel Bell and Ross Trace, both under 21, were invited to a private residence for a party. The party was at the home of Jeffrey and Sara Hutsell, and hosted by their son, Jonathan, an 18 year old high school student. A number o… Read More