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A bottle of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey is displayed next to a Bad Spaniels dog toy. The Supreme Court is hearing a trademark dispute Wednesday between Jack Daniel’s and the manufacturer of the squeaking toy that parodies the liquor bottle. – AP Photo/Jessica Gresko, file

Supreme Court chews on Jack Daniel’s dog toy dispute

The Supreme Court is hearing a spirited dispute Wednesday between whiskey maker Jack Daniel’s and the manufacturer of a squeaking dog toy that parodies the liquor’s bottle and label.
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Supreme Court rules for deaf student in education case

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Tuesday for a deaf student who sued his public school system for providing an inadequate education. The case is significant for other disabled students who allege they were failed by school officials.
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In Trump probe, NYC grand jury hearing from final witnesses

A grand jury was hearing from final witnesses Monday in the investigation into Donald Trump as law enforcement officials accelerated security preparations in advance of a possible indictment and as fellow Republicans staked out positions in a criminal probe expected to shake up the 2024 presidential race.
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Supreme Court remembering Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a champion for women’s rights whose death ahead of the 2020 election allowed the Supreme Court to become more conservative, will be remembered during ceremonies Friday at the high court.

How I Did It

Chicago civil rights attorney pivots to launch Jamaican resort

Longtime civil rights attorney Dana L. Kurtz traded the courtroom for an ocean view when she left her practice in 2019 to launch a boutique hotel in Jamaica.

‘Visionary’ attorney Lowell Sachnoff dies at 92

Attorney Lowell Sachnoff was a man ahead of his time, according to a longtime friend and colleague.

Nursing home can’t arbitrate negligence suit in death, panel rules

A suburban nursing home cannot compel arbitration of a claim that it violated the Nursing Home Care Act in a negligence lawsuit filed on behalf of a deceased resident, a state appellate panel ruled.

Consumer fraud suit over Brach’s caramel candy tossed

A woman who maintains the label on bags of Brach’s Milk Maid caramels causes buyers to falsely believe the candy is made with fats from milk does not have a case for consumer fraud, a federal judge held.

House sends 41 bills to Senate as Friday legislative deadline looms

The Illinois House passed 41 bills to the Senate Tuesday ahead of a scheduled Friday deadline.

Courts & Cases

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Contributors

Trial Notebook

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Circuit court gives guidance on multidistrict litigation

Granting a district judge’s request for appellate guidance on whether special law-of-the-case and issue-preclusion rules applied in multidistrict litigation about an alleged conspiracy to fix prices in the drywall industry, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a pre-trial decision against the plaintiff in a “later-filed case.”

Mediation Memos

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Opening session can lay path to good mediation conclusion

The classic mediation format includes an opening or joint session. This is a time when all the parties meet one another and listen to the mediator give details about how the mediation is to proceed.

Insurance Matters

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Prior policy applications found relevant to claim for rescission

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, construing Illinois law, recently evaluated the pleading requirements for an insurer seeking to rescind an insurance policy.

Cotter’s Corner

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Independent state legislature case may be moot; trans rights in focus

The U.S. Supreme Court is back in session today, with two Navajo Nation water needs cases to be argued. Tomorrow, the court hears a Lanham Act case on foreign sales and also a case on the Federal Arbitration Act, topping off this week with the Jack Daniel’s trademark matter.

Opening Statement

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The Oscars weren’t what they used to be

Did you happen to watch the 95th Academy Awards? If so, you were joined by more than 18 million others — myself included. On the other hand, if you missed it, you didn’t miss much. Both the program and many of the selections were disappointing.

Opening Statement

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‘Reasons: A Tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire’ rocks Chicago

It has often been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Opening Statement

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Are movie theaters a dying breed?

The good news is that President Joe Biden recently announced his plans to end COVID-19 emergency declarations in May — making the pandemic an endemic. The bad news is that Chicago is still feeling the aftermath of enforced quarantines, mandatory masks and isolation. It may feel it for several more years.

Sports Marketing Playbook

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Beer brand shakeup, new partnerships highlight Super Bowl LVII commercials

This year’s Super Bowl had everything that’s necessary to keep football fans watching — a see-sawing score, a quarterback playing on an injured ankle and a controversial holding call in the game’s final minutes.

Opening Statement

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‘Fen’ brings the plight of English women laborers to the stage

When you enter the Abelson auditorium of the Court Theatre to view renowned British playwright Caryl Churchill’s play “Fen,” you can’t help but be astounded by its monstrous set.

Social Scene

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Women’s empowerment event returns

BatesCarey revived its event “Tea Talk: Women Empowering Women” last week for the first time since the pandemic began. Led by attorneys Abigail Rocap and Allyson Spacht, the firm hosted “Let’s Talk About Equality: Overcoming Obstacles to Women in Leadership.” Speakers included Julie Cutter, president of Women Helping Others; Mary Robinson, partner at Robinson, Stewart, Montgomery & Doppke, and Laura Zaroski, managing director of the Law Firms Group at Gallagher. Photo courtesy BatesCarey
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Wallach accepts Les Turner foundation award

Brian S. Wallach and Sandra Abrevaya, winners of the Harvey and Bonny Gaffen award, speak at the Hope Through Caring Gala benefiting the Les Turner ALS Foundation. Wallach is an attorney at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and former staffer for President Barack Obama who advocates for ALS treatments. Photo by Jean Lachat
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Attorney honored with memorial award

Hall Prangle & Schoonveld honored partner Amy Kane, who died in March 2022 after an illness, by creating a memorial award in her name. Shelley Doi-Taketa, a partner in the firm’s Salt Lake City office, was its first recipient. Shown at an event marking the occasion are Salt Lake City partner Tawni Anderson, from left, Chicago partner Eric Schoonveld, Doi-Taketa and Chicago partner Jennifer Ries-Buntain. Photo courtesy of Hall Prangle & Schoonveld
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CDEL honors volunteers

The Center for Disability & Elder Law celebrated its 2023 Winter Awards Benefit, “Light Up the Loop,” at Baker McKenzie in late February. Shown from left are award recipients Crofton Kelly, Addison Braendel and Stephen S. Phalen; CDEL Governing Board president Theresa Jaffe; Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough, recipient of the Impact Award; benefit chair Andrew Lillis; honorees Shane Kelly and Lisa Kistler; CDEL executive director Caroline Manley and benefit vice chair Terri Ahrens. Photo courtesy of CDEL

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