Dee Thompson News
Thompson Coburn law firm ranked best in country in railroad law, copyright law by U.S. News
BELLEVILLE – U.S. News & World Report has named the firm of Thompson Coburn as the best firm in the nation for railroad law. Best Lawyers also gave the firm the highest ranking in railroad law.
State AGs speak up in Janus case to preserve collection of union fees from non-union workers
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Several friend-of-the-court briefs have now been filed with the U.S. Supreme Court in the lawsuit brought by Mark Janus, an Illinois state government employee who feels union dues should not be taken from his paycheck since he is not a member of a union.
District court dismisses driver's case against Caseyville police officer
BENTON – A lawsuit against a Caseyville police officer over claims the officer lacked probable cause to stop a driver in 2013 has been dismissed. That driver, subsequent to the arrest, had been charged with driving under the influence and impersonating a police officer.
Couple's collision suit against Canadian tractor-trailer driver reinstated after they receive notice he was served
BENTON – An Illinois couple who filed suit against a Canadian citizen because of an automobile accident that was dismissed in December 2017 has now had their case reinstated.
Northern Illinois University College of Law eliminates out-of-state tuition fees
DeKALB – Starting in the fall of 2018, students at the Northern Illinois University (NIU) College of Law will not be charged out-of-state tuition premiums.
Attorney Amy Blaisdell honored for role in U.S. Supreme Court case
ST. LOUIS – Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale law firm officer Amy L. Blaisdell has received the 2018 Missouri Lawyer’s Award “...for her role in a high-profile U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld an exemption in federal law for church-affiliated pension plans,” the firm announced in a press release Dec. 19.
Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale launches diversity fellowship for first-year law students
ST. LOUIS – The law firm of Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale PC announced the launch of the Greensfelder Diversity Fellowship “for first-year law students who have demonstrated a commitment to diversity,” according to the firm’s press release issued Dec. 15.
Yandle grants dismissal of state law claims in retirement benefits dispute
EAST ST. LOUIS - District judge Staci Yandle granted OSF Healthcare's motion to dismiss state law claims in a class action over retirement benefits.
Fifth District affirms order requiring insurer to cover costs of suit for Iowa law firm
MOUNT VERNON – Does a professional liability insurance policy have to cover the actions of an attorney acting as agent for a company other than his law firm? An Illinois appellate court says yes, it does.
Court dismisses Supervalu Inc. as defendant in slip-and-fall case
BENTON – Supervalu Inc. has been dismissed as a party to the lawsuit filed by Eddie Hobson, who claims she fell at the Save-A-Lot store and was injured.
Southern District Court removes two defendants in racketeering, wire fraud suit between brothers
EAST ST. LOUIS – A motion to dismiss in a business dispute between two brothers has been partially granted in a dispute involving a cash lending business.
Taxpayer Federation of Illinois president: 'Legitimate concern' state's middle class could see tax increase from federal bill
CHICAGO – The Democrat-controlled Illinois legislature passed a state income tax increase on all working Illinoisans in July and experts say it could hurt the middle class in addition to the impact on the middle class that's expected to occur if the tax bill currently in Congress passes.
Supreme Court justice: Bias study results 'provide critical insights'
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Supreme Court announced Nov. 6 that the Supreme Court Committee on Equality has concluded a study examining how factors like poverty, gender, race and legal representation affect outcomes in civil and family law cases.
Granite City firefighter not entitled to full line-of-duty disability pension, court rules
MT. VERNON — The Fifth District Appellate Court has ruled that a career firefighter’s back condition was not solely the result of his firefighting duties, so he is not entitled to a line-of-duty disability pension.
Court sides with defendant that damage awards in Kaskaskia Engineering case 'premature'
BENTON – The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois has issued a ruling in a case filed by an engineering firm against a former employee who started a competing company.
Judge grants motion to compel additional depositions of doctors in Yaz case
EAST ST. LOUIS – Litigation continues in the case of a young woman whose use of an oral contraceptive allegedly caused injuries, with the judge in the case ordering two doctor’s depositions to be limited in time and scope.
Illinois Judges Association seeks to help teens stay away from alcohol and drugs with video
BELLEVILLE – St. Clair County Chief Judge Andrew J. Gleeson believes it’s vital to reach teenagers before they end up in his courtroom, and that’s why he is encouraging his fellow judges to promote a new video put out by the Illinois Judges Association (IJA) called “7 Reasons to Leave the Party.”
Former Alton police officer convicted of theft loses fight to order internal affairs investigation
MOUNT VERNON – Former Alton Illinois police officer Mickey Dooley, convicted of theft 10 years ago, has lost his chance to get his former employer to do an internal investigation into the allegedly false evidence that sent him to prison.
Dooley loses appeal regarding sexually violent status at Fifth District
MOUNT VERNON – A man who had been convicted of molesting children, has lost an appeal at the Fifth District Appellate Court that challenged an order that found him to be a sexually violent person with commitment to a secure facility.
Fifth District Appellate Court upholds decision to award workers' compensation payout to ex-wife
MT. VERNON — Chad Toeniskoetter recently lost his appeal to the Illinois Fifth District Appellate Court and will have to pay part of his workers' compensation and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) award to his ex-wife for child support.