We successfully obtained discretionary review and argued in the Illinois Supreme Court for Wisconsin Central in case that reversed the appellate court and upheld the right of the railroad to assert a counterclaim for property damage in a FELA case. Ammons v. Wisconsin Central, Ltd., 2019 IL 124454.
Railroad Counterclaim for Property Damage in FELA Case
Win for Illinois Legislative Leaders in Constitutional Litigation
We successfully represented Speaker of Illinois House and President of Senate in a constitutional challenge to actions by the Governor withholding salaries from members of the Legislature. Cullerton v. Quinn, No. 13 CH 17921, 2013 WL 5366345 (Ill. Cir. Ct., Sept. 26, 2013), mot. for direct appeal allowed, No. 116704 (Oct. 16, 2013), appeal dismissed (Dec. 17, 2013).
Lawyers
Mayor Rahm Emanuel
We acted as trial counsel and appellate counsel for then-candidate Rahm Emanuel in the litigation challenging his qualifications to run for Mayor of Chicago. Objectors to his candidacy claimed that he did not satisfy the City's one-year residency requirement because he had been living temporarily in Washington, D.C. while working as Chief of Staff to the President of the United States. The case was tried before a Hearing Officer of the Chicago Board of Elections and then was appealed to the Cook County Circuit Court, the Appellate Court, and the Supreme Court of Illinois. The Supreme Court of Illinois unanimously reversed the Appellate Court, and affirmed the Hearing Officer's recommendation that Mr. Emanuel was qualified to run for Mayor. Maksym v. Board of Elections Commissioners, 242 Ill. 2d 303 (2011). Four weeks later, he was elected Mayor. Michael Forde also advised the Emanuel campaign and transition team on a broad range of legal and other issues.
Successful Appeal Reversing $12 Billion Judgment that had been entered Against Philip Morris
We were co-counsel for Philip Morris in its successful appeal to the Supreme Court of Illinois of a record $10 billion judgment rendered in a Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practice Act case, Price v. Philip Morris, 219 Ill. 2d 182 (2005), and again in its successful appeal in the Illinois Supreme Court from an order reinstating the $10 billion judgment as post judgment relief.
