Appellate Law

Our Appellate Law Practice is unique with many successful published appeals (over 90). Our litigation experience and appellate expertise is valued because of our expertise in establishing a “trial record”. However, our appellate practice has never been limited to cases only tried by the firm.

Cases

Established precedent extending the statute of limitations for minors in filing wrongful death suits arising from medical malpractice. Dachs v. Weiss Memorial Hospital, 509 N.E. 2d 489 (1st I11.App. 1987).
Represented Captain of tug-boat who complained to Coast Guard about safety violations on the boat and who was then fired by his employer. Case was appealed and Appellate Court held the Cause of Action existed. Case settled after remand. Zucculo v. Hannah Marine Corp., 387 Ill. App. 3d 561, 900 N.E.2d 353 (Ill. App. Ct. 1st Dist. 2008).
Four homeowners sued developers for fraud due to ground settlement of homes of over 10 inches resulting in widespread damage. At trial, Plaintiff was awarded in excess of $2,000,000; including compensatory damages, Attorney fees and punitive damages. Note from jury received 10 minutes after deliberations started, asking if they could award Attorney fees and punitive damages. Case was affirmed on appeal. Linhart v. Bridgview Creek Dev., Inc., 391 Ill. App. 3d 630, 909 N.E.2d 865 (Ill. App. Ct. 2009) appeal denied, 223 Ill. 2d 561, 919 N.E.2d 353 (2009).
Represented Truck Insurance Exchange in successful trial and appellate decision upholding a jury verdict which specifically found the insured guilty of arson, false swearing and refusal to cooperate with the insurer’s investigation of claim. Kafka v. Truck Insurance Exchange, 19f.3d 383 (7th Cir. 1994).
Established precedent allowing innocent insured to recover under property insurance policy, despite fraud of co-insured. Miceli v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 518 N.E. 2d 357 (1987).
Established precedent which for the first time, allows plaintiffs in medical negligence case to sue fictitious John Doe, where identity of named defendant is unknown. Bogseth v. Emanuel, 655 N.E. 2d 888 (1995).
Successfully represented African-American factory worker discharged because of his race and won largest individual award of compensatory and punitive damages for race discrimination in Illinois at that time. Hunter v. Allis-Chalmers, 797 F.2d 1417 (7th Cir. 1986).
Represented University of Illinois in successful trial and appellate decision involving claims of age discrimination by rejected medical school applicant. Cannon v. The University of Health Sciences, 710 F.2d 351 (7th Cir. 1986).
Established precedent establishing standards in medical negligence cases for naming respondents in discovery and defendants. Shanklin v. Hutzler et al., 294 N.E.2d (1st I11. App.1997).
Represented Attorney (now, Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County) in precedent-setting ruling by Illinois Supreme Court which established ethical guidelines for lawyers making gifts or loans to judges. In re Corboy, et al., 528 N.E.2d 694 (1988).