Illinois

Anticipated Revenues Drop for Law Firms and a Job-Hunting Law Grad

Veronique Tousignant knows firsthand about the tight job market. A 2007 graduate of Chicago-Kent College of Law, she has sent out 200 résumés. But her only legal work is as a law clerk for Chicago firm Kameli & Associates. Tousignant hit the job market as the subprime meltdown was affecting…

Aug 18, 2008 1:59 PM CDT

Lawyer Posts Addresses of Alleged Pedophile Priests on Website

A Minnesota lawyer for victims of pedophile priests has posted addresses and some phone numbers of alleged Chicago abusers on his website. Jeffrey Anderson of St. Paul told the Chicago Sun-Times that he posted information about nine men yesterday to protect the public. Anderson represented victims in a $12.7 million…

Aug 15, 2008 12:11 PM CDT

Baker & McKenzie Breaks $2B; Firm’s Revenue Rises 20%

Despite the struggling U.S. economy, Baker & McKenzie has had a banner year. For the fiscal year that ended in June, it booked total global revenue of $2.19 billion, breaking the $2 billion—and the 1 billion pound—barrier for the first time. Last year, the megafirm, which got its start in…

Aug 14, 2008 4:21 PM CDT

Wachtell Still #1, Vault Survey Says

For the sixth straight year, Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz ranks as the top law firm in the country according to the latest Vault survey. Cravath Swaine & Moore retains the No. 2 spot, and among the rest of the top 10, only one name is different than last year,…

Aug 12, 2008 10:33 PM CDT

Chicago Archdiocese Strikes $12M Accord With Sex Abuse Victims

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago and lawyers for victims announced today they have agreed to a $12 million settlement for victims who claim they were sexually abused by priests. The settlement covers victims of former priest Daniel McCormack and 10 other priests or former priests, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Aug 12, 2008 3:53 PM CDT

New Website Sells Restaurant Reservations

There are laws against reselling tickets. But offering restaurant reservations online to the highest bidder may be entirely legal. A 10-day-old Internet venture, which has created a new website to do just that has attracted customers and critics, reports the Chicago Tribune. However, despite unhappiness on the part of some…

Aug 8, 2008 8:48 PM CDT

Pre-Law Program Aims to Be National Model

Illinois’ Bradley University announced this week that it is opening a pre-law center to improve law school prospects for undergrads who aspire to join the legal profession. The university intends to hire a full-time director in September, preferably a lawyer looking for a career change, and have the center fully…

Aug 7, 2008 1:11 PM CDT

Ill. to Use GPS to Enforce Protective Orders

A new bill signed into law today by the governor of Illinois sets the stage for the state’s judges to use GPS satellite tracking to enforce protective orders. Sparked by the murder of a real estate broker by her ex-boyfriend earlier this year, the legislation is intended to provide an…

Aug 4, 2008 7:46 PM CDT

Legal Threat Results in One Less Billy Goat

A billy goat curse may be extending beyond the Chicago Cubs. It’s also apparently afflicting the owner of a California tavern who says he’ll change his establishment’s name to avoid a legal fight. Billy Truby, owner of Billy Goat’s Tavern in Mount Shasta, says he decided to change the name…

Aug 1, 2008 1:31 PM CDT

Motorist Killed Motorcyclist to Avoid Making Accident Report, Police Say

When Fredrick Griffin allegedly rear-ended a motorcyclist in suburban Chicago last week, he initially tried to get away without filing an accident report, police say. But when that tactic didn’t work, he subsequently killed the accident victim, authorities charge, in order to try to escape responsibility for the accident, reports…

Jul 31, 2008 4:25 PM CDT

Proposed Illinois Bill Would Ban Street-Crossers from Text-Messaging

Seeking to save pedestrians from themselves, Illinois lawmakers have been considering a new law that would ban them from walking and text-messaging or, apparently, otherwise using a cell phone while crossing city streets. Under House Bill 4520, which was introduced early this year by state Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago), pedestrians…

Jul 28, 2008 8:59 PM CDT

US Attorney, DOJ Blast Conditions at Cook County Jail in Chicago

Conditions at a Chicago jail run by Cook County are so substandard that prisoners are at risk of physical abuse and even death, a federal prosecutor and the Department of Justice say in a report released yesterday. Long criticized as overcrowded and understaffed, the huge facility is also characterized by…

Jul 18, 2008 4:21 PM CDT

Cross on House Brings $80K Tax Break

For George Michael, a cross placed on the side of his $3 million lakefront mansion in suburban Chicago resulted in a tax break of almost $80,000. But now officials in Lake Bluff, where it is located, say he owes $115,000 in fines for failing to get the village’s permission to…

Jul 17, 2008 7:43 PM CDT

Prosecutor’s Relationship With Cop Gets Her Suspended

A veteran prosecutor in suburban Chicago has been suspended without pay for a month, starting yesterday, after her boss learned of her alleged undisclosed relationship with a police officer who has testified in her cases. John Barsanti, who serves as Kane County state’s attorney, says he learned two weeks ago…

Jul 16, 2008 6:14 PM CDT

Fla. Law Firm Has Filed About 70 Fraud Suits Against Lenders

Some borrowers who say their lenders hid the true terms of their onerous loans are suing for fraud. One law firm that is eager to help is the Affirmative Defense Group in Margate, Fla. Lawyer Frank Ingrassia says the firm has filed about 70 such suits on behalf of borrowers…

Jul 10, 2008 11:08 AM CDT