Bethany Krajelis News
Lawyers voice support for $32 million in fees in proposed atrazine settlement; Approximately $8.4 million sought in litigation expenses
Tillery It looks like the proposed $105 million settlement over atrazine may reach the final fairness hearing in October without facing any objections.
Ruth makes it clear that Philip Morris labeling case will not end with him
Tillery While Madison County Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth didn't immediately issue a ruling on a motion that has the potential to reignite the decade-old lawsuit over cigarette labeling, he did make a few things clear at Tuesday's hearing on the matter.
7th Circuit vacates Herndon's judgments over Alton lawyer's claim for attorneys' fees
Herndon A panel of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has vacated U.S. District Judge David Herndon's judgments in a case over attorneys' fees.
Ruth hears arguments over petition in cigarette labeling case; Declines to issue immediate ruling
Lombardi After a nearly eight-hour hearing today, Madison County Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth declined to immediately rule on a petition seeking relief from the dismissal of a $10.1 billion verdict over "light" and "low tar" cigarette labeling.
Suit against Burkart seeks proceeds from jury verdict
Former clients of Hamel attorney Tom Burkart have filed a lawsuit against the circuit judge candidate in an attempt to recover proceeds from a jury verdict they won more than a decade ago.
Fifth District reverses Madison County ruling over electric service contracts
Stewart A Highland business had the right to change its electric delivery service from Ameren to a municipally-owned utility after its contract with the utility giant expired, the Fifth District Appellate Court held this month.
Circuit clerks grapple with space crunch for document storage; hope e-business policy will soon be created
Nelson Throwing away old court documents isn't as easy it sounds for county circuit clerks.
Hearing set for Tuesday in decade-old case over 'light' and 'low tar' cigarette labeling
Ruth Madison County Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth will hear arguments next week over a petition seeking relief from the Illinois Supreme Court's dismissal of a $10.1 billion verdict in the class action lawsuit brought against Philip Morris in 2000.
Herndon assigned to handle recently-created MDL over Pradaxa claims
Herndon U.S. District Judge David Herndon has been assigned to handle multi-district litigation over Pradaxa, a blood thinning medication alleged to have caused serious and fatal bleeding in users throughout the nation.
ABA panel discusses Obamacare opinion; attorneys say Medicaid ruling will have biggest impact
Phillips When the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision over President Obama's healthcare reform package in June, attorneys had to flip through nearly 200-pages to find out exactly how the court ruled.
Keefe named interim dean at SLU; plans to continue his practice
Keefe Belleville attorney Tom Keefe Jr. has been named interim dean of St. Louis University Law School, a one-year position he plans to take on in addition to his law practice.
ARDC recommends denial of former Madison County judge's request for reinstatement
A review board of the Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) has recommended the denial of a former Madison County judge's request for reinstatement to the practice of law, saying he has not come to grips with the harm of his misconduct.
Napp outraises, outspends Burkart in Madison County circuit judge race
Napp Madison County Associate Judge Kyle Napp raised about 23 times more money than her Republican opponent, Thomas Burkart, during the same three month period in their race to be circuit judge, records show.
ABA panel discusses class action lawsuits and their bad repuation
Karon CHICAGO - After the rule governing federal class actions was adopted in 1938, a constitutional lawyer who co-authored a treatise on federal practice and procedure commented that the rule made a "bold attempt" to encourage class action lawsuits.
Benjamin talks about Caperton; says there is 'no magic bullet' to judicial independence
Quince and Benjamin CHICAGO - Shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision in Caperton v. Massey, West Virginia Justice Brent Benjamin said attendants of a local judicial gathering asked him for his take on the court's blockbuster ruling.
Bar groups weigh in on forum issue before Illinois Supreme Court
Gavin The statewide bar groups for plaintiffs and defense lawyers have offered the Illinois Supreme Court their two cents on forum non conveniens, a long-debated doctrine that sits at the crux of a St. Clair County case currently pending before the high court.
Herndon denies motions to dismiss in Pradaxa cases; MDL ruling expected soon
Herndon As plaintiffs across the nation wait to find out whether Multi District Litigation will be set up to handle lawsuits over Pradaxa, U.S. District Judge David Herndon continues to move forward with the complaints filed in his court.
Fairmount Park sues insurance company for defense in horse manure contamination complaint
Druley An environmental contamination complaint over horse manure and trash dumped on land purchased for the development of a St. Clair County subdivision has spurred an insurance coverage dispute in federal court.
Quinn signs law to improve safety of Illinois judges
Madigan Illinois judges will soon be able to request the removal of their personal information from websites and other documents available to the public.
Widow sues husband's former employers over asbestos negligence
Matthews The widow of a man who died after developing mesothelioma has sued her late husband's former employers under the Jones Act, claiming that they failed to provide him with a safe place to work.