Recent Articles from Derek Hawkins
Illinois Workers’ Occupational Diseases Act
Candice Martin, representing herself and her deceased husband Rodney Martin's estate, sued Goodrich Corporation and PolyOne Corporation, Rodney's former employers.
National Firearms Act-Sentencing Guidelines
The Seventh Circuit upheld the ruling of the Southern District of Illinois, which determined that a tin can containing energetic powder, sealed with adhesive, and equipped with a fuse qualifies as a "destructive device" under the National Firearms Act.
Indiana Unclaimed Property Act
Gerlach alleged that Indiana officials violated her Fifth Amendment right to just compensation under the Takings Clause.
Sentencing Guidelines
The Seventh Circuit upheld a 240-month prison sentence imposed on Herbert Holder, a repeat offender convicted on three counts of distributing methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm,
Sentencing Guidelines
Seymour, a member of the Latin Dragon Nation street gang pleaded guilty to a charge under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
First Amendment Retaliation Claim
Schlemm, an inmate, had filed a First Amendment retaliation claim against Brendan Pizzala, Jay Van Lanen, and Michael Donovan. Schlemm's claim stemmed from allegations against him regarding the theft of sage from the chapel of the Green Bay Correctional Institution, which resulted in a conduct report being issued against him.
Slip and Fall
Plaintiffs Terri and Louis LoBianco appealed a district court's summary judgment favoring Bonefish Grill, LLC. Terri LoBianco had suffered a slip and fall at a Bonefish Grill restaurant in Skokie, Illinois, resulting in a dislocated hip and necessitating four surgeries.
“Stigma-Plus” Procedural Due Process Violations
Suzy Martin owns and leads Smart Elevators Co., a certified minority- and woman-owned elevator service and repair firm. Initially, the company primarily served the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago.
9 killed in western Wisconsin traffic crash involving a semitruck and a van
An investigation is ongoing.
Man charged in Wisconsin sports bar killings pleads not guilty
Routt remains jailed in Walworth County on $2 million cash bond.
Trump supporters hoping to oust Wisconsin leader say they have enough signatures to force recall
Backers of an effort to oust Wisconsin Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos from office over his opposition to former President Donald Trump announced Sunday that they’ve collected enough signatures to force a recall vote.
Wisconsin Senate panel votes to fire regents who voted against limiting UW diversity initiatives
Senate Republicans have fired 13 Evers appointees thus far by refusing to confirm them.
Legal News
- Milwaukee County District Attorney, UWM police address Jewish threats
- With GOP convention over, Milwaukee weighs the benefits of hosting political rivals
- Secret Service head resigns as Congress formally investigates
- Milwaukee Police Department issues statement regarding video release policy
- GOP convention sets the stage for the Democratic convention in Chicago, activists and police say
- Survey: Harris has enough delegates to be nominee
- Outside the RNC, small Milwaukee businesses and their regulars tried to salvage a sluggish week
- Biden called to resign immediately after the president announces he won’t seek reelection
- Biden drops out of 2024 presidential race, endorses Harris
- Local PA cops allegedly thought Trump’s would-be assassin was Secret Service
- Biden-Lead Secret Service admits agency denied past requests by Trump’s campaign for tighter security
- Class action filed against Walgreens
Case Digests
- Ineffective Assistance of Counsel; Double Jeopardy; Sentencing
- Ineffective Assistance of Counsel; Sexual Assault-Prosecutorial Misconduct
- Contract-Negligence
- Criminal Law; Juvenile Law; Discovery
- Family Law; Child Support; Property Division First paragraph(s)
- Ineffective Assistance of Counsel- Exclusion of Evidence of Witness Bias
- Postconviction Relief-Sentencing-Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
- 14th Amendment – Due Process
- Criminal-Sentencing Guidelines – Enhancement
- Bankruptcy-Tax
- Civil Rights – 14th Amendment-Jury Instructions
- Contract; Foreclosure and Property