Seventh Circuit Win in RICO Conspiracy Appeal
This week, an appellate opinion was issued by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in United States v. Watkins, et al., Case No. 20-2048. I represented the Appellant Lloyd Dotson in this appeal of a jury trial finding of guilt against Mr. Dotson and a dozen other defendants for RICO violations. One of...
Trademark Protection: Safeguarding Your Brand in IP Litigation
Not all business owners realize they have a brand worth protecting until someone else infringes it. No matter the size of your company, you have a unique brand that deserves to be secured against those who would exploit your hard work. One area in which this is especially true is trademark law....
What to Expect From the Appellate Process in Intellectual Property Disputes
Parties who believe that a legal, factual, or procedural error took place during their intellectual property trials have the right to appeal. These cases are usually federal in nature and must follow a series of steps while meeting the requirements necessary for an appeal. Regardless of whether you are the...
The Importance of Intellectual Property Rights for Amazon Sellers
Amazon offers a platform for millions of sellers across the globe to offer products to enormous numbers of consumers. Even though this is true, many people who launch their first online business with Amazon fail to recognize the critical importance of intellectual property rights when selling products online. These rights can help...
Navigating the Appellate Process in Civil Rights Cases
Civil rights litigation can be highly complex. When the outcome of a trial does not seem to reflect the rights and protections the law guarantees you, filing an appeal can be a critical step in your pursuit of justice. For this reason, it’s imperative to understand the appellate process and what...
Trademark vs. Copyright: Understanding the Differences in IP Litigation
In the complex landscape of the intellectual property, or “IP”, law, there are two key pillars allowing people to protect ideas as property: trademarks and copyrights. Both are vital tools to protect innovation, creativity, and brand identity, but they operate in distinct ways. Trademarks and copyrights come with their own set...
Publication in Catholic University Law Review
I had the honor of being published in the latest volume of The Catholic University Law Review. The article explores the dynamic issues of prior restraint of social media platforms during COVID, most notably the Supreme Court decision of Murthy v. Missouri. The BlueBook citation is: Christopher Keleher, The Antidote of Free Speech: Censorship During the Pandemic, 73 Cath....
Is Your Federal Appellate Brief Appendix Complete?
A recent decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit highlights the imperative nature of attaching an appendix that adheres to the federal rules of appellate procedure. While federal appellate courts across the country enforce the appendix requirement, the Seventh Circuit is a stickler. The case, United States v. Harold...
What Are the Grounds for an Appeal in Federal Courts?
In the nuanced and complex landscape of federal litigation, understanding the grounds upon which you can pursue an appeal is critical. Whether it’s a civil or criminal case, finding a legitimate basis for appeal is critical so an appellate court can take a second look at your case. Appellate courts can’t re-try...
The Slew of Schedule A Cases in the Northern District of Illinois
A cursory glance at the daily calendar in the Northern District of Illinois reveals a recurring theme: "Schedule A" cases. Such matters are prevalent in the district court judges' court calls. In fact, the Northern District of Illinois is by far the most popular court for filing Schedule A patent infringement cases. These matters get...