St. Louis Associate Jasmine Jacobs recently authored an article on navigating bias in law as a Black woman for the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis’ (BAMSL) bimonthly publication, St. Louis Law Journal. Ms. Jacobs serves as Section Chair for the organization’s “Minorities in the Legal Profession.”

Chicago Associate Alexa Bradley will co-host an upcoming webinar presentation on Human Rights Issues in the New Administration on January 10, 2025 at 12:15 PM CT. This presentation is hosted by the Chicago Bar Association’s (CBA) Human Rights Committee.

New York Partner Nathan Sheffield is serving as production counsel for the upcoming off-Broadway revival of Lia Romeo’s play “Still,” which features veteran television actors Melissa Gilbert and Mark Moses in the lead roles. 

Chicago Partner Scott C. Bentivenga has been named membership chair of the Illinois Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Mr. Bentivenga will serve in his new leadership role for the 2025-2026 term.

Fort Lauderdale Partner Sean P. Shecter recently spoke with Law360 for an article detailing white collar enforcement issues that are expected to be at the forefront in 2025 as the White House changes hands. 

The article, titled "5 Big Questions for White Collar Enforcement in 2025," details five areas where the federal government's white collar enforcement practices could shift after President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House in late January.

On December 30, 2024, Charlotte Partner Jeremy Stephenson obtained summary judgment victory and dismissal with prejudice of all claims against client in suit brought under Americans with Disabilities Act in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.

Dallas Partner Mark Cronenwett secured a decision from the Amarillo Court of Appeals affirming a summary judgment that Lewis Brisbois obtained for a mortgage servicing client. 

The dispute concerned whether a mortgage borrower presented a fact issue on whether its servicer, which allegedly orally promised not to foreclose for 60 days, was estopped to deny the agreement when it nevertheless conducted a non-judicial foreclosure sale. 

Days after obtaining an Appellate Division victory affirming a “no cause” jury verdict, Newark Partner Afsha Noran and Managing Partner Colin Hackett obtained a second appellate court victory affirming a trial court's dismissal of a complaint against another firm client, a general contractor.

The team had previously obtained summary judgment at the trial level on the grounds plaintiff could not establish a prima facie case against the client. The plaintiff appealed the grant of summary judgment and dismissal of her claim to the Appellate Division.

Newark Partner Afsha Noran and Managing Partner Colin Hackett recently obtained a ruling by a New Jersey Appellate Division panel affirming a unanimous "no cause" defense verdict obtained on behalf of a nationwide housing developer and manager.

In this case, the plaintiff and her two minor children brought suit against the firm's client. They appealed a unanimous no-cause jury verdict rendered in May 2023 that found the defendants not liable for mold exposure in their apartment. The plaintiffs argued that several trial errors, including improper jury instructions, a confusing verdict sheet, and prejudicial remarks by defense counsel led to an unjust result. However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court's decision, concluding that there was no miscarriage of justice and that the trial court properly exercised its discretion in handling the case.

Chicago Associate Alexa Bradley will present at an upcoming webinar on Illinois’ Genetic Information and Privacy Act (GIPA), hosted by the Chicago Bar Association’s (CBA) Biometric Information and Privacy Law Committee on January 2 at 12:15 p.m. CT.