7th Circuit Case Commentaries

Seventh Circuit Clarifies Expert Testimony and Collective Knowledge in Drug Conspiracy Convictions

Date: Mar 30, 2005

Seventh Circuit Clarifies Expert Testimony and Collective Knowledge in Drug Conspiracy Convictions Introduction The case of United States of America v. Arturo Garcia Parra and Magdalena Correa (402...

Ensuring Due Process When Plea Records Are Missing: Insights from Dalton v. Battaglia

Date: Mar 24, 2005

Ensuring Due Process When Plea Records Are Missing: Insights from Dalton v. Battaglia Introduction Lawrence Dalton v. Deirdre Battaglia is a pivotal appellate decision by the United States Court of...

Affirmation of Legitimate Business Justifications in FLSA Retaliation Claims: Cichon v. Exelon

Date: Mar 22, 2005

Affirmation of Legitimate Business Justifications in FLSA Retaliation Claims: Cichon v. Exelon Introduction In the case of Michael C. Cichon v. Exelon Generation Company, L.L.C., 401 F.3d 803 (7th...

Affirmation of Qualified Immunity for Police Officers in Exigent Warrantless Entry: LEAF v. SHELNUTT

Date: Mar 19, 2005

Affirmation of Qualified Immunity for Police Officers in Exigent Warrantless Entry: LEAF v. SHELNUTT Introduction In the case of Larry J. LEAF, individually and as personal representative of the...

Seventh Circuit Upholds Dismissal of §1983 Excessive Force Claims Due to Lack of Individualized Evidence

Date: Mar 18, 2005

Seventh Circuit Upholds Dismissal of §1983 Excessive Force Claims Due to Lack of Individualized Evidence Introduction In the case of George Harper and Robert Padilla v. Lieutenant Albert, et al., the...

Establishing Reasonable Suspicion Through Evasive Behavior: Insights from United States v. Baskin

Date: Mar 18, 2005

Establishing Reasonable Suspicion Through Evasive Behavior: Insights from United States v. Baskin Introduction The case of United States of America v. Dustin C. Baskin (401 F.3d 788) presents a...

Ezell v. Potter: Solidifying the Scope of Adverse Employment Actions in Discrimination Claims

Date: Mar 17, 2005

Ezell v. Potter: Solidifying the Scope of Adverse Employment Actions in Discrimination Claims Introduction The case of Stephen Ezell v. John E. Potter, Postmaster General (400 F.3d 1041) adjudicated...

7th Circuit Upholds Denial of Preliminary Injunction in Video Game Copyright and Trade Dress Case

Date: Mar 16, 2005

7th Circuit Upholds Denial of Preliminary Injunction in Video Game Copyright and Trade Dress Case Introduction The case of Incredible Technologies, Inc. v. Virtual Technologies, Inc. d/b/a Global VR...

Lifetime Vesting of Retiree Benefits: Lou BLAND et al. v. FIATALLIS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Date: Mar 16, 2005

Lifetime Vesting of Retiree Benefits: Lou BLAND et al. v. FIATALLIS NORTH AMERICA, INC. Introduction Lou BLAND, Edward Hodgeman, Geraldine Rosato, Ervin Shores, and Richard Horcher, collectively...

Establishing Prima Facie Retaliation: Insights from Syed M.A. Hasan v. United States Department of Labor

Date: Mar 15, 2005

Establishing Prima Facie Retaliation: Insights from Syed M.A. Hasan v. United States Department of Labor Introduction The case of Syed M.A. Hasan v. United States Department of Labor (400 F.3d 1001)...

Exclusion of Umbrella Insurance Liability Due to Insolvency of Underlying Insurer: Premcor USA v. American Home Assurance Company

Date: Mar 10, 2005

Exclusion of Umbrella Insurance Liability Due to Insolvency of Underlying Insurer: Premcor USA v. American Home Assurance Company Introduction The case of Premcor USA, Inc., and The Premcor Refining...

Statute of Limitations and Waiver in Civil Litigation: Insights from Williams v. Lampe

Date: Mar 2, 2005

Statute of Limitations and Waiver in Civil Litigation: Insights from Williams v. Lampe Introduction Eulah Williams filed a lawsuit against John Lampe, a Cahokia Police Officer, and the Village of...

Applying Plain-Error Doctrine to Post-Booker Sentencing Guidelines: Insights from United States v. Paladino et al.

Date: Feb 26, 2005

Applying Plain-Error Doctrine to Post-Booker Sentencing Guidelines: Insights from United States v. Paladino et al. Introduction The case United States of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Robert D....

Enhanced Standards for Judicial Impartiality: Franklin v. McCaugtry

Date: Feb 25, 2005

Enhanced Standards for Judicial Impartiality: Franklin v. McCaugtry Introduction Franklin v. McCaugtry, 398 F.3d 955 (7th Cir. 2005), is a landmark decision by the United States Court of Appeals for...

Cerros v. Steel Technologies: Establishing Clear Standards for Hostile Work Environment Claims under Title VII

Date: Feb 24, 2005

Cerros v. Steel Technologies: Establishing Clear Standards for Hostile Work Environment Claims under Title VII Introduction The case of Tony CERROS v. STEEL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (398 F.3d 944)...

Seventh Circuit Clarifies Transfer of Choses in Action Against HUD Under Assignment Agreements

Date: Feb 23, 2005

Seventh Circuit Clarifies Transfer of Choses in Action Against HUD Under Assignment Agreements Introduction The case of William L. Centers v. Centennial Mortgage, Inc., and Matthew T. Kane (398 F.3d...

7th Circuit Affirms Law of the Case Doctrine in §2255 Motion Denial for Ineffective Assistance Claims - Fuller v. United States

Date: Feb 19, 2005

7th Circuit Affirms Law of the Case Doctrine in §2255 Motion Denial for Ineffective Assistance Claims - Fuller v. United States Introduction In Mark K. Fuller v. United States, 398 F.3d 644 (7th Cir....

Substantive Due Process and Qualified Immunity in School Discipline: Insights from Tun v. Whitticker & Platz

Date: Feb 17, 2005

Substantive Due Process and Qualified Immunity in School Discipline: Insights from Tun v. Whitticker & Platz Introduction Tun v. Whitticker & Platz is a pivotal case decided by the United States...

Establishing Facility Staff Liability for Race-Based Negligence under §1983

Date: Feb 17, 2005

Establishing Facility Staff Liability for Race-Based Negligence under §1983 Introduction In the case of David Brown v. Timothy Budz et al., adjudicated by the United States Court of Appeals for the...

Academic Dismissal and Due Process: Insights from FENJE v. FELD

Date: Feb 16, 2005

Academic Dismissal and Due Process: Insights from FENJE v. FELD Introduction Paul Fenje, M.D., Plaintiff-Appellant, v. James Feld, M.D., Defendant-Appellee is a significant case adjudicated by the...