Mistaken Post-Discharge Billing: Emotional-Distress and Punitive Damages Denied Absent Specific, Substantiated Harm; Post-Petition Utility Charges Survive Discharge Introduction In John Covington v....
Outdated Grievance Forms and “Non-Eergency” Determinations Do Not Excuse PLRA Exhaustion in Illinois 1. Introduction In Michael Reck v. Shana Clarkson (7th Cir. Jan. 23, 2026) (nonprecedential),...
Attempted Wire Fraud: “Benefit of the Bargain” and No-Actual-Loss Theories Do Not Defeat Liability; Intended Loss Includes Amounts Placed at Risk Introduction In United States v. Robert E. Carter...
“Caused in Whole or in Part” Additional-Insured Coverage Turns on Proximate Cause (Not Pleading Choices or Named-Insured Liability); Excess Duties Arise Only After Primary Exhaustion I. Introduction...
Leon Good-Faith Shields Evidence Where Nexus Is Thin; Dicta and Post-Search Precedent Do Not Defeat Reliance I. Introduction United States v. Ryan Douglas (7th Cir. Jan. 22, 2026) addresses...
“Caused in Whole or in Part” Additional-Insured Coverage Turns on Proximate Causation (Not Pleading Labels or the Named Insured’s Continuing Liability) 1. Introduction In Atlanta Gas Light Company v....
Illinois Right of Publicity Act: Single-Publication Accrual (No Discovery Rule) for Public Online Commercial Uses Introduction In Nicholas Giovannelli v. Walmart Inc., et al. (consolidated appeals...
Illinois Right of Publicity Act: One-Year Limitations Runs from First Publication (No Discovery Rule Absent Hidden/Inherently Undiscoverable Use) Introduction Nicholas Giovannelli, a U.S. Army...
Illinois Right of Publicity Act: One-Year Limitations Period Runs from First Publication (No Discovery Rule for Public Online Sales) 1. Introduction Case: Nicholas Giovannelli v. Stocktrek Images,...
Illinois Right of Publicity Act: Single-Publication Rule Controls Accrual; Discovery Rule Limited to Hidden or Inherently Undiscoverable Uses I. Introduction In Nicholas Giovannelli v. Walmart Inc.,...
Qualified Immunity for Nonmedical Jail Officers Who Defer to Medical Staff Absent Clear Notice of Inadequate Care (and Waiver of Unpreserved Monell Theories) Introduction In Nicholas Zemlick v. Brad...
Secondhand, Quoted Utterance of the N-Word by a Supervisor—Without More—Does Not Establish a Title VII Hostile Work Environment (Seventh Circuit) Case: Tonnette Jones v. Avik Das, No. 24-2166 Court:...
Rule 702 “Show-Your-Work” Gatekeeping: Unaddressed Expert Alternative-Design Opinions Require De Novo Review and Can Defeat Summary Judgment Without Product Testing I. Introduction Rebekah Hillman v....
Sentencing Courts May Consult Prior Presentence Reports (Including Reliable Hearsay) to Test § 3553(a) Mitigation Claims Case: United States v. Reiquon Gaines (7th Cir. Jan. 21, 2026) | Court: United...
Strict Enforcement of N.D. Ill. Local Rules 56.1 and 5.3 Can Decide Summary Judgment, Post-Judgment Motions, and Costs Introduction In Albert Thomas v. Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund, the Seventh...
No “Fraud Exception” to Rooker-Feldman in Eviction-Related Federal Suits; Claim Preclusion and Pleading Standards Narrow § 1983 and FHA Retaliation Theories Case: Tony Cole v. Joseph C. Faulkner, et...
Vacatur of Younger Abstention Stays After Conclusion of State Proceedings and Pro Se Litigants’ Duty to Verify AI-Assisted Citations 1. Introduction Solomon Jones v. Kankakee County Sheriff's...
No “Fraud Exception” to Rooker–Feldman in Eviction Collateral Attacks; Claim Preclusion as a Backstop Introduction Tony Cole v. Joseph C. Faulkner, et al. (7th Cir. Jan. 21, 2026) is a...
Strict Enforcement of Local Rule 56.1 (and Local Rule 5.3 Presentment) Can Drive Summary Judgment Outcomes in Employment Discrimination Cases Introduction In Albert Thomas v. Chicago Teachers'...
Pro Se Litigants Are Bound by Local Summary-Judgment Rules; Title VII Retaliation Still Requires Evidence the Employer Knew of the Protected Activity Case: Yumarcus Anderson v. American Foods Group,...