Illinois

Pro Se Inmate Scores 7th Circuit Win, Says His Own Lawyer Was Targeted by the Feds, Too

A pro se prison inmate has notched a federal appeals court victory in a drug and weapons case, winning a ruling from the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that a trial judge erred by not looking more carefully at a claimed conflict of interest on the part of…

Aug 17, 2010 5:47 PM CDT

Two Counts Down, 22 to Go in Blagojevich Trial

Jurors have met for 12 days to debate the political corruption charges against former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. During that time, they’ve reached agreement on just two out of 24 counts. Jurors indicated today that they are deadlocked on 11 counts and haven’t deliberated 11 others dealing with wire fraud,…

Aug 12, 2010 6:08 PM CDT

Recruiter Sees ‘Uptick’ in Chicago Hiring, Expects More Firms to Open There

Legal recruiter Gary D’Alessio is bullish about Chicago’s legal market. D’Alessio, president of Chicago Legal Search, tells the National Law Journal that law firms in the city are hiring more associates and lateral partners. He says the firms acted after thousands of layoffs last year that left them short-handed. “I’ve…

Aug 12, 2010 1:04 PM CDT

Despite Improving Economy, Brinks Hofer Axes 18

Only yesterday, Crain’s New York Business reported that the pace of law firm layoffs slowed down significantly last month. But while the bloodletting of recent months and years may have slowed from a gush to a relative trickle, it hasn’t been totally shut off. This week, Chicago-based Brinks Hofer Gilson…

Aug 11, 2010 9:42 PM CDT

In 11th Day of Deliberation, Is Jury Nearing a Verdict in the Blago Case?

In the 11th day of deliberation over the guilt or innocence of the impeached former governor of Illinois in a political corruption case, a federal jury in Chicago, it appears, might be near a verdict on some of the 24 counts. Defendant Rod Blagojevich returned to court late in the…

Aug 11, 2010 9:09 PM CDT

Leech Tishman Firm Taps Seyfarth Partner to Open Chicago Office, Its 1st Outside Pittsburgh

A 40-attorney Pittsburgh firm has opened a second office, tapping a former Seyfarth Shaw partner to head its new Chicago outpost. Pete Fuscaldo, who serves as managing partner of Leech Tishman Fuscaldo & Lampl, says the firm wanted a Chicago office to service existing clients with Midwest operations, the Pittsburgh…

Aug 11, 2010 7:13 PM CDT

Ill. to Pay Only 40% of its Share of Salaries for State’s Attorneys, Public Defenders

As Illinois struggles to pay its bills, counties there will only receive 40 percent of state monies allotted for state’s attorneys, public defenders, and assessors. The state funds come from fines and fees collected from various county offices. The Illinois Department of Revenue notified counties in July that state payments…

Aug 9, 2010 6:49 PM CDT

Ex-Kaye Scholer Partner Indicted in Bankruptcy Fraud Case

A former partner of Kaye Scholer has been indicted for bankruptcy fraud for not disclosing his involvement with a major creditor before he left the law firm in 2005. Stephen Garcia, now 48, allegedly failed to disclose, as required, his considerable involvement with New York City-based Albert Fried & Co.,…

Aug 5, 2010 6:36 PM CDT

After 40 Years on the Job, Prosecutor Plans to Try to Take It Easy

For 40 years, Colin Simpson has worked as an assistant Cook County state’s attorney in the Chicago area. Half of that time, he was the supervising prosecutor at the Maybrook courthouse in Maywood. But being the top dog there didn’t translate to special perks for Simpson: He arrived first, left…

Aug 4, 2010 10:18 PM CDT

Partying and Sexual Encounter Lead to Proposed Suspension for 2 Ex-BigLaw Associates

An Illinois hearing board has recommended short suspensions for two former BigLaw associates for their conduct during a long day of partying in Wisconsin that ended with a sexual encounter and allegations of rape. The hearing board report recommends a 60-day suspension for Stephan Addison, who formerly worked at Seyfarth…

Aug 4, 2010 1:23 PM CDT

Examiner’s Report Goes Easy on Brown Rudnick for Botched Redaction

The law firm Brown Rudnick is unlikely to face serious sanctions for botching an attempt to keep confidential information out of a complaint filed on behalf of some creditors in the Chicago Tribune’s bankruptcy proceedings. A report filed by bankruptcy examiner Kenneth Klee concludes it is “implausible” that Brown Rudnick…

Aug 4, 2010 12:30 PM CDT

Judge Pleads Guilty in Reckless Driving Case, But His Lawyer Blames Mechanical Problems

A suburban Chicago judge pleaded guilty to misdemeanor reckless driving and apologized today, after an alleged hit-and-run encounter with a parked vehicle on June 29, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. “I deeply regret my conduct in this matter and intend to rededicate myself to the principles and values in my life…

Aug 3, 2010 11:40 PM CDT

Vet Lost Home After Lawyer Drafted Trust Rather Than Will, Ethics Complaint Says

A lawyer in suburban Chicago has been accused in an ethics complaint of helping a couple swindle an elderly veteran out of his home. Lawyer Gary R. Williams is accused of creating a living trust that gave control of the assets belonging to Angelo Biondo to the World War II…

Aug 3, 2010 4:08 PM CDT

Convicted of Theft, Ex-Lawyer Is Now an Advocate for Others with Background Issues

Back when his income of over $100,000 a year seemed like chicken feed, attorney Michael Sweig decided to leave his law firm and hang out his own shingle. The result was disastrous. A major client didn’t pay a legal fee, and Sweig turned to the firm’s trust account for operating…

Aug 2, 2010 5:01 PM CDT

7th Circuit Cites ‘Unreasonable Fury’ of Chief District Judge as Reason for His Mid-Trial Removal

Putting an end to speculation about why a chief federal district judge was suddenly removed from an ongoing criminal trial in Chicago, the federal appeals court that axed him earlier this week explained today in a written opinion that it acted because of the jurist’s “unreasonable fury” against prosecutors. Responding…

Jul 30, 2010 7:30 PM CDT