Cases
Selected Trial Experience: Kirkpatrick v. Pfizer, Inc. (U.S. District Court, Western District of Oklahoma). This case involved age discrimination claims brought by a former sales representative. After a week of trial, a directed verdict was entered for the defendant.
Harvey v. Wolfram, et.al. (Illinois Circuit Court of the 18th Judicial Circuit (DuPage County)). This case involved claims for breach of contract, fraud,
various forms of equitable relief brought by a former high level executive who asserted she had left a lucrative consulting career to become employed by one of the defendants based on assurances that she would be given an equity interest in the business,
that she was terminated to avoid the company's obligation in that regard. After a two
a half week trial, the jury returned a defense verdict on all counts.
Romano v. Gr
Victoria Casino (Illinois Circuit Court of the 16th Judicial Circuit (Kane County)). This case involved defamation
intentional infliction of emotional distress claims brought by a former employee against a casino
its Director of Human Resources. A verdict was rendered for both defendants.
Morgan v. Insight Communications (Urbana Human Relations Commission). This case involved race discrimination claims brought by a former employee against a cable
internet service provider. After a three week trial, the complainant settled for a nominal sum, significantly less than the amount dem
ed throughout the litigation to that point.
Atkins v. Gr
Victoria Casino (U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois). This case involved failure to hire on the basis of race claims brought by an unsuccessful applicant for a dealer position at a casino. Judgment was rendered for the defendant.
Fortier v. AT&T (Illinois Circuit Court of the 1st Judicial Circuit (Cook County)). This case involved breach of employment contract claims brought by a former Director of Human Resources, who was also an attorney responsible for corporate diversity issues. Directed verdict was entered for the defendant at the close of the plaintiff's case.
Schuster v. Shepard Motors (U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois). This case involved age discrimination claims brought by the former general manager of a large automobile dealership. The case settled for a nominal sum during the course of the trial.
Scalera v. Village of Oak Park (Illinois Human Relations Commission). This case involved claims of national origin
age discrimination brought by a former Public Works employee against a municipality. Judgment was rendered for the respondent employer.
Selected Class
Collective Action Experience: Miller, et al. v. Equinox (U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois). This action was brought against a chain of health clubs by a former membership advisor who asserted, on behalf of herself
others, that membership advisors did not receive commission as that term is defined under the Fair Labor St
ards Act
that, accordingly, they were non-exempt employees entitled to overtime. After plaintiffs filed their motion for class certification, Defendant pursued an aggressive defensive strategy. Plaintiff was forced to voluntarily dismiss the case, with no money paid by Defendant.
Allen, et al. v. Harrah's (U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana). This action was brought against a casino by approximately 60 table game supervisors who claimed they were not exempt employees
thus entitled to overtime
that they had been inappropriately subjected to
denied banked vacation
overtime. Defendant's motion for summary judgment was granted.
Ellis, et al. v. Gr
Victoria Casino (U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois). This action was brought by African American dealer applicants who claimed they were subject to racially discriminatory hiring practices. Defendant's motion to de-certify the class was granted. Almost all resultant individual claims concluded in summary judgment being granted to defendant. One individual claim was settled for a nominal sum
another was tied to a verdict for the defendant.
EEOC v. Village of Oak Park (U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois). This age discrimination claim was brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on behalf of firefighters who had been denied promotions. The case settled for a very nominal amount on the eve of trial.
Betts, et al. v. Sundstr
(U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Western Division). This case was brought by African American applicants
employees alleging failure to hire
to promote on the basis of race. Plaintiffs' motion for class certification was defeated.
Roman, Yepez, et al. v. Allegis, et al. (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Chicago District Office). This case was brought by a group of temporary workers alleging national origin discrimination resulting from an English only m
ate at a manufacturing facility. Protracted settlement discussions resulted in a favorable settlement for the temporary service provider before suit was filed in federal court.
