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...
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...
Navigating the Appellate Process in Civil Rights Cases
The appellate process in civil rights cases is critical for ensuring justice is upheld when trial court decisions are in question. By working with an experienced appellate attorney, individuals can challenge outcomes that may have infringed upon their guaranteed rights.
Civil Rights Violations and Grounds for Appeal
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...
The Short Life Span of a Schedule A Case
Out of the 155 cases filed in the Northern District of Illinois during the three-year time period from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022, the claimant prevailed 75 percent of the time on default judgment or consent judgment, and the claim defendant prevailed zero percent of the time. The requested injunctive...
The Slow Trend Towards More In-Person Court Hearings
While some vestiges of Covid-19 remain, things in the judicial world have largely returned to normal. One noticeable laggard has been in-person status hearings. In the Northern District of Illinois federal court, judges are slowly transitioning to more in-person hearings for daily court calls. A review of the profile pages of the Northern...
Tribute to Seventh Circuit Judge Illana Rovner
Last week, Seventh Circuit Judge Illana Rovner took senior status. She had been an associate judge on the Seventh Circuit since 1992. Prior to that, she was a district court judge on the Northern District of Illinois for almost a decade. A member of what could be described as the Court's "old guard,"...
How to Build a Strong Record for Appeal in Commercial Litigation
In commercial litigation, building a strong record for an appeal is an important but often overlooked step. This process involves strategic planning to ensure that every piece of evidence and argument presented during the trial is accurately recorded. A well-prepared record can be the key to success in the appellate court, where...
The Role of Appellate Attorneys in Criminal Appeals: Advocating for Defendants
Criminal appeals are legal processes where a defendant seeks a higher court's review of a lower court's decision, primarily to address errors made during the trial. These appeals are not about re-trying the case, but rather examining whether legal mistakes occurred that affected the trial's outcome. The role of appellate attorneys...