Media Links

Hall v. Nalco Co.

Cheryl Hall was a sales secretary employed by Nalco. In 2003, she requested a leave of absence to undergo in vitro fertilization, (“IVF”). The first treatment was unsuccessful, and Hall tried again. In July, 2003, Nalco terminated her employment. Hall filed suit alleging that she was illegally fired in violation of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. A federal judge in Chicago dismissed her claim, but on appeal, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, reversed, holding that infertility treatments are covered under federal law.

• Wall Street Journal article
• Business Insurance article
• Chicago Daily Law Bulletin article
• Chicago Sun Times article
• Indiana Lawyer article
• The Northwest Indiana Times article

Ibarra v. Pactiv Corporation

Luis Ibarra, Sr. was an ironworker employed by Midwest Fence Corporation. When he attempted to position a gate that the company was installing at a jobsite, it came in contact with an overhead powerline. Mr. Ibarra suffered electrical burns over 60% of his body. He settled his personal injury case for $3.5 million.

• Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

Holomshek v. Father Joseph Fitzharris and The Archdiocese of Chicago

Robert Holomshek was an altar boy at St. Francis Xavier school in Chicago. He claimed that Father Joseph Fitzharris repeatedly sexually molested him when he was a child. The case settled for $875,000.

• Holomshek Chicago Sun Times Article July 7, 2007

Bondie v. Woodlawn Development Co.

Christine Bondie was a plumber employed by Woodlawn Community Development Corporation. She claimed that she was retaliated against after she gave a damaging deposition against her employer in a wrongful death case:

• CBS-2 Chicago
• WBBM Newsradio

Buffone v. Rosebud Restaurants, Inc.

Kristine Buffone was a hostess employed by Rosebud Restaurants, Inc. She was discharged after she announced that she was pregnant and went out on Family and Medical Leave. The jury returned a verdict of $380,000 in damages:

• WLS-7 Chicago

Stamm v. Prochnow

David Stamm went snowmobiling with three of his friends in Troy, Wisconsin. When Stamm, the leader, could not find the rest of his group, he went to a designated meeting spot to find his friends. One of his friends left the marked trail and jumped a hill, colliding into Stamm. Stamm suffered multiple fractures and other injuries. Stamm went to trial and obtained a net jury verdict of $570,000, a Wisconsin state record.

• AAJ Law Reporter

Pietrusynski v. McClier Corporation

Tim and Alan Pietruszynski claimed that they were fired after they testified in their brother's worker's compensation case. A trial judge dismissed their retaliatory discharge case and they appealed. The Illinois Appellate Court reversed, and held that their testimony in the worker's compensation case was protected activity and was actionable.

• Chicago Daily Law Bulletin

Swiech v. Gottlieb Memorial Hospital

Shirley Swiech was a 20 year employee of Gottlieb Memorial Hospital. She suffered from lupus and depression, and claimed that she was subjected to a hostile work environment because of her disability and was unlawfully constructively discharged from her job. A jury agreed and awarded her $1.45 million.

• AAJ Law Reporter, November, 2001
• Chicago Tribune article, February 28, 2001

Beckway v. Lieb

Peter Beckway was a Ph.D. candidate in English literature until his hand picked doctoral committee refused to allow him to complete his examinations for his degree. He sued for intentional infliction of emotional distress.

• Chicago Sun Times article