7th Circuit Court

Why Dan Webb Isn’t Representing Ill. Gov: Alleged Unpaid $500K Legal Tab

As a stunning federal corruption case was unveiled this week against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, many wondered why he is being represented by a well-regarded Chicago attorney rather than a nationally known big-name white-collar criminal defense lawyer such as, say, Winston & Strawn’s Dan Webb. The answer to that question…

Dec 11, 2008 9:30 PM CST

More Drama Over Ill. Gov’s Alleged Attempt to Barter Obama’s Senate Seat

A stunning federal criminal corruption case announced yesterday against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich had a chorus of politicans, including President-elect Barack Obama, calling by the end of the day today for him to resign from office, reports the New York Times. As discussed in earlier ABAJournal.com posts, Blagojevich allegedly sought…

Dec 11, 2008 12:16 AM CST

Fed’l Case Against Ill. Gov Creates Unusual Issues for Judges & Lawmakers

As officials in Illinois struggle to cope with an unusual situation following the arrest of Gov. Rod Blagojevich in a federal political corruption case yesterday, the state’s attorney general is suggesting that the Illinois Supreme Court could play a key role in determining whether he should continue in office. Lisa…

Dec 10, 2008 5:37 PM CST

Illinois AG Calls for Governor to Resign, Promises ‘Legal Steps’ If He Won’t

In a stunning day for those who follow Illinois politics, the state’s governor was arrested at his home in Chicago today and charged in a political corruption case. Then, by early this afternoon, the state’s attorney general, Lisa Madigan, was calling for Gov. Rod Blagojevich to resign immediately, according to…

Dec 10, 2008 12:58 AM CST

Police Bribed Judge to Get Search Warrant, Ex-Chicago Cop Testifies

Testifying for the government yesterday in a federal corruption trial against his former partner, an ex-Chicago police officer said cops routinely participated in a number of illegal acts. Among them: allegedly bribing an unnamed judge to issue a bogus search warrant, after the judge “asked for it,” testified ex-cop Richard…

Nov 20, 2008 9:49 PM CST

Lawyer Pal Helped Feds Prosecute Chicago Pol (and Attorney) Ed Vrydolyak

Ed Vrdolyak, an attorney and former longtime Chicago alderman, thought he was talking to a friend when he discussed a dubious 2004 real estate deal with fellow attorney Stuart Levine in 2006. But in fac,t newly unsealed records in a federal court case against Vrdolyak show that he was talking…

Nov 18, 2008 7:44 PM CST

Judge Allows Jones Day Suit Over Web Posts About Attorney Home Purchases

A controversial federal trademark infringement suit by the Jones Day law firm against an Internet news site that publicizes home purchases by individual attorneys has survived a motion to dismiss. “But in a partial victory for the local real estate news company, the judge, John Darrah of Chicago, said that…

Nov 14, 2008 6:36 PM CST

Neo-Nazi Held Without Bond in Alleged Online Threat to Federal Jury Foreman

A white supremacist who is accused of posting information on the Internet soliciting harm to a federal jury foreman pleaded not guilty today in federal court in Chicago. William White, 31, a resident of Roanoke, Va., will be held until at least Dec. 5, when a detention hearing is scheduled…

Nov 12, 2008 6:45 PM CST

Illinois ‘Choose Life’ License Plates Not Required, 7th Circuit Says

Overruling a federal trial judge, the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has held that the state of Illinois is not required to issue “Choose Life” license plates sought by individuals who oppose abortion. “The three-judge panel said a decision by Illinois lawmakers not to authorize the ‘Choose Life’…

Nov 7, 2008 5:51 PM CST

Chicago Attorney and Ex-Alderman Ed Vrdolyak Pleads in Kickback Case

A well-known Chicago attorney who is a former longtime city alderman has pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit mail fraud. The case, which involves a claimed kickback paid to put a real estate deal on a fast track, was to have gone to trial this week. “Edward Vrdolyak said he…

Nov 4, 2008 9:07 PM CST

Posner Targets Lawyer’s Remark about Wives and Clothes Dryers (Take Our Poll)

Updated: A lawyer’s remark during oral arguments that appeared to suggest only women wash and dry clothes apparently didn’t go over too well with Judge Richard Posner of the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The lawyer, Clinton Krislov of Krislov & Associates in Chicago, was representing plaintiffs in…

Oct 30, 2008 2:43 PM CDT

Judge Orders Ungaretti & Harris to Give Up Bankruptcy Fee

A federal judge in Chicago has ordered Ungaretti & Harris to disgorge more than $376,000 in bankruptcy fees because it failed to get periodic approval for the interim payments. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly said Ungaretti should have filed interim fee applications with the bankruptcy court every 120 days, but…

Oct 24, 2008 2:31 PM CDT

Judge Orders Shutdown of Huge Spam Ring Accused of Selling Viagra

A federal judge in Chicago has issued a temporary injunction barring operations of a huge spam network that is accused of selling the active ingredient in Viagra in a pill touted for male enhancement. The operation may have been responsible for sending billions of illegal spam messages, the Federal Trade…

Oct 15, 2008 2:00 PM CDT

Nonprofits Oppose Jones Day Trademark Suit Over Associate Home Purchase Posts

The Electronic Frontier Foundation and Public Citizen have filed an opposing amicus brief in federal trademark litigation brought by Jones Day over a website’s postings about home purchases by two of the law firm’s associate attorneys. The posts should be considered news reporting, as well as an allowable fair use…

Sep 19, 2008 9:46 PM CDT

Smith Gambrell Quotes Easterbrook in Answer to Malpractice Complaint

Smith, Gambrell & Russell has answered an $80 million bankruptcy trustee’s malpractice complaint by quoting an opinion by Judge Frank Easterbrook questioning the litigation judgment of some bankruptcy trustees. Trustee William Perkins claims the law firm and its former counsel, C. Gladwyn Goins, failed to prevent the founder of a…

Sep 12, 2008 6:20 PM CDT