Civil Rights
REPRESENTATIVE CASES
The firm is currently investigating discriminatory practices by lenders in the sale of subprime mortgages.
Freeport Settlement,. The Firm represents the Freeport African American Ministers for Change (“FAAMUC”), in their efforts to establish equitable treatment for students attending the Freeport School District, #145, in Illinois. This matter was settled prior to the case being filed in federal court in 1996, and the settlement period was extended up to June 2011.
Jaffee v. Redmond, 116 S.Ct. 1923 (1996). This was a civil rights case in which a jury found that a young African American man had been shot to death by the defendant police officer. The Supreme Court overturned the jury verdict in a landmark decision recognizing a federal psychotherapist-patient privilege. The case was retried in December 1996, and the plaintiff again prevailed.
Washington v. Eagle Food Co., (C.D. Ill. 1995). The firm was counsel for plaintiffs in an employment class action alleging race discrimination in promotions. The case was settled for back pay and policy reforms within Eagle to encourage and facilitate minority hiring and advancement.
Johnson, et. al., v. Board of Education of Champaign Unit School District #4, 188 F.Supp.2d 944 (C.D. Ill.). The Firm served as Class Counsel to Plaintiff African American students in a Consent Decree that incorporated two private settlements regarding student assignment, gifted and talented programs, discipline, special education, and other educational programs.
McFadden, et. al v. U-46 Board of Education. (N.D. Ill). Brought in February 2005, this lawsuit brought against the second largest public school district in Illinois involves discrimination claims in the areas of student assignment, gifted and talented programs, and services for English Language Learners. It is set for trial starting in late February 2011.