Illinois

Meet Eduardo Leite: Brazil-Based Energy Lawyer Set to Lead Baker & McKenzie

In an unusual move for a United States-based law firm, Baker & McKenzie has appointed a Brazilian energy lawyer as its global chairman. Eduardo Leite will take up his position at the helm of the Chicago-based international megafirm at the end of October. He presently works out of the Sao…

Jun 3, 2010 5:19 PM CDT

Obama’s Chief of Staff Is Subpoenaed as a Defense Witness in Blagojevich Corruption Trial

The chief of staff for President Barack Obama has been subpoenaed as a defense witness in the upcoming political corruption trial of Rod Blagojevich, the impeached ex-governor of Illinois. Rahm Emanuel is a “critical” witness for Blagojevich in the federal case to be tried in Chicago starting tomorrow, says defense…

Jun 2, 2010 8:16 PM CDT

Lawyer Who Inflated Grades for Sidley Job Gets Three-Year Suspension

A lawyer who inflated his law school grades to get a summer associate position at Sidley Austin has been suspended from law practice for three years. The Illinois Supreme Court is requiring the lawyer, Loren Elliotte Friedman, to get a court order before he can be reinstated, the Legal Profession…

May 20, 2010 5:58 PM CDT

Lawyer Suspended Over DUI Arrests and Secret Sex Tapes

An Illinois attorney has had his law license suspended for two years over a combination of admitted misconduct, including two drunken-driving arrests and videotaping five women in sexual activities at his home without their consent, according to the State Journal-Register. Nick Burgrabe, 52, formerly worked as a Lincoln city attorney…

May 19, 2010 7:41 PM CDT

Ex-Law Partner Secreted Assets from Tennis Star Jimmy Connors, Suit Contends

A high-profile client has proven problematic for a small Illinois law firm. Two former partners are now embroiled in litigation over whether one manipulated the firm’s representation of tennis star Jimmy Connors for his own personal benefit, reports the Madison Record. In compensation for work performed for him by Brennan…

May 18, 2010 5:04 PM CDT

Blago Lawyer: ‘He’s a Celebrity Idiot’; Judge: Juror IDs Secret Until After Trial

To reduce the potential pressure on jurors to consider Internet material sent to them by outsiders about Rod Blagojevich, a federal judge in Chicago today said that juror identities will be kept secret from the public until after the former Illinois governor’s upcoming corruption-in-office trial is completed. At this point,…

May 17, 2010 10:13 PM CDT

CVS Sued for Death of Suspected Shoplifter Held in Chokehold by Employee

The family of a suspected shoplifter who died after a CVS employee held him in a chokehold has filed a wrongful death suit against the pharmacy chain and the worker, identified as a store manager. The suit claims Anthony Kyser, an unemployed barber, died when the manager kept him in…

May 14, 2010 12:47 PM CDT

Clash of Rights over an Allergy-Detecting Dog Leads to EEOC Complaint

The rights of an employee who uses an allergy-detection dog are at odds with those of another worker with asthma in a complaint pending with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Emily Kysel brought her specially trained, $10,000 golden-retriever to work at the city of Indianapolis until a co-worker reacted to…

May 14, 2010 11:15 AM CDT

Law Firm Trades Walls & Doors for Roof Deck, Coffee Bar, Comfy Sofas & Flat-Screen TVs

A 20-lawyer Chicago-based firm has traded its traditional offices for new space that eliminates many of the doors and walls that formerly divided many attorneys and staff. But those who work at Childress Duffy Goldblatt are reportedly singing the praises of their new 13,000-square-foot offices at 500 N. Dearborn, which…

May 13, 2010 5:15 PM CDT

$40 Bounced Check Led to $884K Theft Case Against Longtime Law Firm Office Manager

A 24-year employee of a Chicago law firm has been charged with felony theft after allegedly stealing almost $900,000 from Kelly Olson Michod DeHaan & Richter. Other employees at the nearly 140-year-old business law firm became suspicious of office manager Joan Sanchez after a $40 check bounced while she was…

May 12, 2010 7:03 PM CDT

Triple Vision for Attorney Dad About to See His 3 Kids, All 26, Earn DePaul JDs

Many a proud parent is watching a child graduate from law school this month after years of hard work and hefty expense. But for attorney Daniel Formeller it will be a scene played out in triplicate. All three of his 26-year-old triplets will earn their juris doctor degrees this weekend…

May 11, 2010 6:07 PM CDT

Suspected Shoplifter Dies in Employee’s Chokehold; No Charges Expected

A CVS employee in Chicago who tackled a suspected shoplifter and held him in a chokehold isn’t expected to be charged in the man’s strangulation death. The medical examiner ruled that the death of Anthony Kyser was a homicide, but police said the employee who restrained him won’t be charged,…

May 10, 2010 3:38 PM CDT

Judge Jails Courtroom Observer for Wearing Raunchy T-Shirt

Asked at the last minute to give a friend a ride to a suburban Chicago courthouse on Monday, 19-year-old Jennifer LaPenta got behind the wheel still dressed for the gym in a T-shirt and sweatpants. Her T-shirt, unfortunately, included a slogan that apparently did not go over well with Associate…

May 6, 2010 12:01 AM CDT

Foley Boosts Insurance & Reinsurance Practice With 7-Lawyer Lovells Group

Foley & Lardner has amped up its insurance and reinsurance litigation practice with the addition of a seven-lawyer group that formerly practiced in the now-shuttered Chicago office of Lovells. Headed by partners Gail Goering, Eric Haab and Neal Moglin, the group also includes counsel Kay Wilde, senior counsel Peter Steffen…

May 5, 2010 9:15 PM CDT

Restaurant Requires Liability Waiver for Drinkers of Super-Hot Cocktail

The owner of Mercadito probably doesn’t really believe anyone is likely to sue the Chicago restaurant over its super-hot cocktail, the Vato Loco. But in an apparent marketing ploy to promote the $12 drink as the “Hottest Cocktail on Earth,” those who order it must sign a liability waiver, reports…

May 5, 2010 8:26 PM CDT