Steve Korris News
Assistant state AG replaced in discrimination suit; Sanctions for discovery violations remain unpaid
EAST ST. LOUIS – Assistant Illinois attorney general Thomas Ewick, whose misconduct in a suit against Chester mental health hospital cost the state in cash and strategy, was removed from the case.
Gilbert reschedules trial in security guard's suit alleging excessive force
BENTON – Madison County jurors found Brian Schell of Highland didn’t resist arrest and now jurors in U.S. district court must decide whether deputies acted appropriately when they tasered him.
O'Fallon high school student alleges wrongful expulsion following confrontation with bullies
EAST ST. LOUIS – O’Fallon Township High School expelled tenth grader Zariah Anthony for alleged "mob action" after bullies attacked her, according to a suit her mother Niesha Anthony filed.
Rosenstengel denies dismissal in suit alleging student suffered discrimination by SIUE faculty over Christian faith
EAST ST. LOUIS – Art therapist Maggie DeJong adequately pleaded that former chancellor Randall Pembrook of Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville and others violated her right of free speech, Chief U. S. District Judge Nancy Rosenstengel ruled on March 20.
Former law partner claims David Cates concealed settlements worth millions
EDWARDSVILLE – David Cates of Swansea concealed settlements worth millions when he and partner Ryan Mahoney of Glen Carbon signed a separation agreement, Mahoney’s counsel Thomas Rosenfeld told Circuit Judge Sarah Smith on March 23.
Sierra Club seeks closure of Prairie State power plant, alleging it operates unlawfully; Rep. Meier says electricity rates would 'skyrocket'
BENTON - Sierra Club sued to shut down the Prairie State coal burning power plant near Marissa in federal court on March 22, and Illinois State Rep. Charlie Meier (R-Highland) responded by saying a plant closure could lead to increased electricity rates.
Yandle presides over trial in suit alleging prison brutality
BENTON – Attorney general Kwame Raoul pulled three lawyers off a prison brutality case in three months and replaced them with two fresh lawyers as a March 27 trial date approached.
Fifth District affirms St. Clair County jurisdiction for Georgia residents over incident in northern Illinois
MOUNT VERNON – Plaintiffs from Georgia can sue Cottrell Inc. of Georgia in St. Clair County over an incident that happened in Illinois 230 miles from Belleville, Fifth District appellate judges ruled on March 14.
Alton law firm sues AI legal provider Do Not Pay for infringing on rights of properly licensed lawyers
BENTON – Robot lawyers harm real lawyers, the Miller King firm in Alton alleged on March 15 in a complaint for injunction against artificial intelligence provider Do Not Pay.
Customer service rep settles suit alleging she was terminated after catching COVID-19
BELLEVILLE – Ashley Howe of Marion County and FW Logistics of St. Clair County settled her claim that she lost her job for catching COVID-19.
Second Amendment Law Center opposes gun ban in amicus brief, challenges 14th Amendment argument
EAST ST. LOUIS – Supporters of Gov. Pritzker’s gun law committed serious error by claiming the Fourteenth Amendment changed the Second Amendment’s meaning, according to the Second Amendment Law Center.
Jayne Conroy seeks appointment as class counsel in Ohio train derailment case
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Jayne Conroy of Simmons Hanly Conroy in Alton and colleagues from Colorado and Delaware applied for appointment as interim class counsel in train disaster litigation at U. S. district court on March 15.
Woman appeals declaratory judgment for insurer in dispute over $6.7 million award
BENTON – Bailey Watson, who obtained a $6.7 million judgment for injuries she suffered when a wood chipper ran over her, plans to appeal an order finding Atain Specialty Insurance doesn’t have to pay it.
Video game writer settles defamation suit against Belleville woman
BENTON – Computer game writer Chris Avellone of California and Karissa Barrows of Belleville settled his defamation suit against her.
Jurors return defense verdict in crash suit; Plaintiff attorneys previously complained of jury bias
BENTON – Jurors at a highway crash trial in U. S. district court needed only 48 minutes to reach a verdict against plaintiff Teresa Neville of Madison County.
Dugan denies dismissal for former Casino Queen owners in pension fraud suit
EAST ST. LOUIS – U. S. District Judge David Dugan denied stacks of motions to dismiss pension fraud claims against former Casino Queen owners on March 6 and March 8.
Everytown for Gun Safety files amicus brief supporting gun ban; Attorneys donated to Democrat justices set to hear legislation challenge
EAST ST. LOUIS – National group Everytown for Gun Safety moved on March 9 to file a brief as friend of U. S. district court in favor of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s law regulating semi automatic weapons and "high capacity" magazines.
Default judgment sought in suit alleging unlicensed boxing matches at East St. Louis bar
BENTON – Joe Hand Promotions, which licenses broadcast rights for boxing matches, moved for default judgment on March 8 on a claim that Da Beno bar in East St. Louis showed matches without licenses.
Cahokia Heights residents want to hold city liable for pollution
EAST ST. LOUIS – Cahokia Heights residents suing for clean water want U.S. District Judge David Dugan to hold the city liable for pollution so he can focus on remedies.
St. Clair County jurors award patient $500,000 in medical malpractice trial
BELLEVILLE – St. Clair County jurors awarded $500,000 to Darren Vines on a malpractice claim against surgeon Aaron Greenspan on Feb. 27, half for disability and half for pain and suffering.