Illinois

Chicago Grad & BigLaw Alum Admits Altered Grades; 3-Year Suspension Sought

Ironically, it was telling the truth about his law school grades that got Loren Friedman into trouble. When he circulated his resumé, via a legal recruiter, to law firms in Illinois in 2007, he attached a copy of his University of Chicago Law School transcript. Seeing the proliferation of C…

Apr 22, 2009 8:51 PM CDT

Judge Turns Down Blagojevich’s ‘Get Me Out of Here’ Show Request

A federal judge in Chicago has refused a request by the former governor of Illinois to travel to Costa Rica to appear on a reality TV show, suggesting he may not understand the reality of the federal charges against him. U.S. District Judge James Zagel turned down the request by…

Apr 21, 2009 4:58 PM CDT

Chicago Lawyer Convicted of Bringing Contraband into Jail

It wasn’t just legal papers that a Chicago lawyer reportedly intended to hand to an inmate in a Cook County lockup last year. Attorney Nathan Billmaier, 35, had 4 ounces each of illegal marijuana and and contraband tobacco, six Ecstasy tablets and 40 matches interspersed with legal papers, authorities said…

Apr 17, 2009 11:19 PM CDT

Treadmill Desks Gain Traction at Chicago Law Office

Last year, in an effort to lose 40 to 50 pounds, Texas lawyer Ross Robinson paired a $700 low-speed treadmill with his stand-up desk. Less than a year later, the Winstead partner is 40 pounds lighter, reports the National Law Journal in an article reprinted in New York Lawyer (reg.…

Apr 17, 2009 9:35 PM CDT

Two Smaller Chicago Firms Find Prosperous Marriage During Downturn

We’ve reported that some midsize law firms and boutiques are benefiting from the financial downturn, and now two Chicago-based firms have joined forces in a bid to woo cost-conscious general counsel away from expensive BigLaw firms. Trial and appellate boutique Crisham & Kubes merged with Schuyler Roche, a full-service 40-lawyer…

Apr 15, 2009 6:19 PM CDT

Blagojevich’s Reality Show Dream Needs Federal Judge’s OK

Anyone who thinks Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich plans to hole up with his lawyers to plan his defense on federal corruption charges should think again. Instead the impeached governor has plans to star on an NBC reality show, I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here, the Chicago Tribune…

Apr 15, 2009 12:31 PM CDT

George Will Urges Supreme Court to Consider Gambling Takings Case

Columnist George Will is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to restore some bite to the takings clause by accepting an Illinois case on the transfer of money from riverboat casinos to horse-racing tracks. The levy by the Illinois legislature will take more than $100 million from the state’s four most…

Apr 13, 2009 3:15 PM CDT

Sen. Burris’ Legal Bills Top $500K

Fighting allegations of wrongdoing related to his appointment to Barack Obama’s former Senate seat is proving mighty costly to Roland Burris. While on a tour of Southern Illinois, Burris said that his legal bills have topped $500,000, the Belleville News Democrat reports. Burris hasn’t said whether he intends to run…

Apr 9, 2009 2:10 PM CDT

Schiff Axes Parties, Cuts Other Costs, But Avoids Layoffs

There won’t be many parties at Schiff Hardin this year. But, due to its diversified practice and lack of long-term debt, the 400-attorney Chicago-based national law firm is in a strong position and expects to avoid layoffs, its managing partner says. An early retirement program for staff aged 60 and…

Apr 8, 2009 7:36 PM CDT

Ex-Gov of Illinois, 5 Others, Charged in Alleged Obama Senate Seat Scam

Federal prosecutors in Chicago today unveiled a much-awaited indictment not only against impeached former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich but his brother and four other aides and associates. Among other allegations, the indictment in the political corruption case accuses Blagojevich of attempting to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by now-President…

Apr 2, 2009 10:20 PM CDT

Mom of 2 Boys Apparently Slain By Dad Blames Ill. Court, Seeks Name Change

When a family court judge in Illinois told Michael Connolly to get a job, find a home of his own and stop harassing his wife, he did just that. For months he behaved as the judge required and was rewarded with unsupervised visits with his two sons, Jack, 7, and…

Apr 2, 2009 1:10 AM CDT

‘Lawyer of Love’ Columnist Files Sex Harassment Suit Against Playboy

A Chicago lawyer who posed nude for Playboy and wrote its “Lawyer of Love” column has filed a sexual harassment suit against the magazine. Lawyer Corri Fetman claims in her $4.5 million suit that she lost her writing gig with Playboy after rebuffing the sexual advances of an executive there,…

Mar 31, 2009 1:05 PM CDT

Suburban Chicago Lawyer Accused of Asking Priest to Help Cover Stolen Firm Cash

A suburban Chicago lawyer has been accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from his former law firm and asking a priest to use church funds to cover some of the missing cash. The lawyer, Steven Gustafson of Naperville, Ill., was charged with theft up to $500,000, forgery, financial…

Mar 26, 2009 1:15 PM CDT

Chicago-Based Arnstein & Lehr Acquires 7-Lawyer Fla. Firm

Following up on a previously announced plan of Florida expansion, Chicago-based Arnstein & Lehr is acquiring a seven-lawyer Coral Gables firm. All of the attorneys at Fieldstone Shear & Denberg will be joining Arnstein, and Ronald Fieldstone, David Shear and Michael Denberg will be joining as equity partners, according to…

Mar 24, 2009 8:46 PM CDT

Burris Legal Bills Could Hit $400K; Embattled Senator Plans Defense Fund

An embattled U.S. senator from Illinois who is fighting efforts to force him from office, following allegations that he misrepresented his dealings with now-impeached ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich, expects that his legal bills could hit $400,000. So Sen. Roland Burris is seeking the Senate Ethics Committee’s okay to set up a…

Mar 20, 2009 1:22 AM CDT