7th Circuit Case Commentaries

Privacy and Image Misappropriation in Documentary Filmmaking: Insights from Bogie v. Rivers

Date: Feb 21, 2013

Privacy and Image Misappropriation in Documentary Filmmaking: Insights from Bogie v. Rivers Introduction The case of Ann Bogie v. Joan Alexandra Molinsky Sanger Rosenberg a/k/a Joan Rivers,...

Enforcing the Absolute-Priority Rule: Competitive Bidding in Reorganization Plans Involving Insiders

Date: Feb 15, 2013

Enforcing the Absolute-Priority Rule: Competitive Bidding in Reorganization Plans Involving Insiders Introduction The case titled In the Matter of CASTLETON PLAZA, LP, Debtor. Appeal of EL–SNPR Notes...

Limits of Judicial Estoppel in Guilty Plea Agreements: Wells v. Coker

Date: Feb 13, 2013

Limits of Judicial Estoppel in Guilty Plea Agreements: Wells v. Coker Introduction The case of James Wells v. Jeff Coker addresses the crucial issue of whether a defendant is judicially estopped from...

Hawkins v. United States: Clarifying the Limits of Postconviction Sentencing Errors

Date: Feb 8, 2013

Hawkins v. United States: Clarifying the Limits of Postconviction Sentencing Errors Introduction Hawkins v. United States, 706 F.3d 820 (7th Cir. 2013), is a pivotal case that addresses the...

Exigent Circumstances and Use of Force: Insights from Fitzgerald v. Schaumburg Officers

Date: Feb 8, 2013

Exigent Circumstances and Use of Force: Insights from Fitzgerald v. Schaumburg Officers Introduction The case of Karen Fitzgerald, Plaintiff–Appellant versus Officer M. Santoro, Officer B. Cram,...

Enforcement of Voluntary Payments Provision in Insurance Contracts: West Bend Mutual Insurance Co. v. Arbor Homes LLC

Date: Feb 7, 2013

Enforcement of Voluntary Payments Provision in Insurance Contracts: West Bend Mutual Insurance Co. v. Arbor Homes LLC Introduction The case of West Bend Mutual Insurance Company v. Arbor Homes LLC...

Limits on Class Certification in FLSA Cases: Insights from DirectSat USA, LLC v. Espenscheid

Date: Feb 5, 2013

Limits on Class Certification in FLSA Cases: Insights from DirectSat USA, LLC v. Espenscheid Introduction In the case of Aaron L. Espenscheid, et al. v. DirectSat USA, LLC, et al. (705 F.3d 770), the...

Discovery Rule Applied to §1983 Deliberate Indifference Claims: Devbrow v. Kalu

Date: Feb 2, 2013

Discovery Rule Applied to §1983 Deliberate Indifference Claims: Devbrow v. Kalu Introduction Devbrow v. Kalu is a significant case adjudicated by the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh...

Refining the Standard for Excessive Force in Taser Use: Abbott v. Sangamon County

Date: Jan 30, 2013

Refining the Standard for Excessive Force in Taser Use: Abbott v. Sangamon County Introduction In Abbott v. Sangamon County, 705 F.3d 706 (7th Cir. 2013), Cindy C. Abbott and her adult son Travis...

Reasonable Suspicion and Protective Frisk in High-Crime Areas: Analysis of United States v. Patton

Date: Jan 30, 2013

Reasonable Suspicion and Protective Frisk in High-Crime Areas: Analysis of United States v. Patton Introduction United States v. Patton, 705 F.3d 734 (7th Cir. 2013), addresses the critical issue of...

Seventh Circuit Upholds Wisconsin Act 10's Restrictions on Public Employee Unions

Date: Jan 19, 2013

Seventh Circuit Upholds Wisconsin Act 10's Restrictions on Public Employee Unions Introduction The case of WISCONSIN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION COUNCIL, et al. v. Scott WALKER addresses the...

7th Circuit Establishes Enhanced Scrutiny for ALJs in Evaluating Treating Physicians’ Opinions in Social Security Disability Cases

Date: Jan 19, 2013

7th Circuit Establishes Enhanced Scrutiny for ALJs in Evaluating Treating Physicians’ Opinions in Social Security Disability Cases Introduction In Roddy v. Astrue, 705 F.3d 631 (7th Cir. 2013), the...

Classification of Successive Habeas Corpus Petitions under AEDPA: Insights from Suggs v. United States

Date: Jan 18, 2013

Classification of Successive Habeas Corpus Petitions under AEDPA: Insights from Suggs v. United States Introduction Suggs v. United States, 705 F.3d 279 (7th Cir. 2013), is a pivotal case addressing...

Rigorous Evaluation of Medical Evidence in Disability Claims: Hughes v. Astrue

Date: Jan 17, 2013

Rigorous Evaluation of Medical Evidence in Disability Claims: Hughes v. Astrue Introduction In Patricia L. Hughes v. Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, 705 F.3d 276 (7th Cir. 2013),...

Proper Procedures for Franks Hearings: Insights from United States v. McMurtrey

Date: Jan 11, 2013

Proper Procedures for Franks Hearings: Insights from United States v. McMurtrey Introduction The case of United States v. Mason S. McMurtrey (704 F.3d 502, 7th Cir. 2013) presents a pivotal...

Clarke v. United States: Reinforcing Defense Counsel Duties in Immigration Consequences

Date: Jan 10, 2013

Clarke v. United States: Reinforcing Defense Counsel Duties in Immigration Consequences Introduction The case of Lorna Clarke v. United States of America (703 F.3d 1098, 7th Cir. 2013) addresses the...

Work Product Immunity Affirmed in API v. EPA: A Comprehensive Analysis

Date: Dec 27, 2012

Work Product Immunity Affirmed in API v. EPA: A Comprehensive Analysis Introduction The case of Appleton Papers, Inc. v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), adjudicated by the United States Court...

Rejection of Undermined Treating Physician's Opinion in Disability Claims: Henke v. Astrue

Date: Dec 22, 2012

Rejection of Undermined Treating Physician's Opinion in Disability Claims: Henke v. Astrue Introduction In Helen E. Henke v. Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, 498 F. App’x 636 (7th...

7th Circuit Upholds HECK v. HUMPHREY: Limits on §1983 Damages for Denied Access to Court Resources

Date: Dec 18, 2012

7th Circuit Upholds HECK v. HUMPHREY: Limits on §1983 Damages for Denied Access to Court Resources Introduction The case Brian S. Burd v. Gail Sessler et al. (702 F.3d 429) adjudicated by the United...

Woolley v. Rednour: Establishing Standards for Effective Assistance of Counsel in Capital Cases

Date: Dec 15, 2012

Woolley v. Rednour: Establishing Standards for Effective Assistance of Counsel in Capital Cases Introduction Martin M. Woolley, the petitioner-appellant, was charged with multiple serious offenses,...