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Jury Awards $79.8 Million to Family of Young Girl Killed in Chicago Police Chase

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Chicago, Illinois — A Cook County jury has awarded almost $80 million to the family of a 10-year-old girl who tragically died during a police chase in Chicago in 2020, marking a significant verdict in a city grappling with issues around policing and public safety. The decision came after the city acknowledged its responsibility for the incident that took the life of Da’Karia Spicer. Deliberations were focused solely on determining the compensation amount, which far exceeded the city’s suggested range of $12 million to $15 million. After considerations and final statements, the jury decided on … Read more

Case Documents at Risk: Court Weighs Attorney’s Right to Hold Client Files Over Unpaid Bills

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Denver, Colorado — Challenges often arise when clients and their lawyers disagree on fees, especially when the disagreement escalates to the point where a client wants to change representation and the lawyer refuses to release case documents until unpaid bills are settled. This legal gray area concerning an attorney’s right to retain client papers as a lien for unpaid fees recently came under scrutiny in a Colorado Court of Appeals case, adding new layers to an already complex issue. Under Colorado law, attorneys are permitted to claim a lien on client documents that have come … Read more

Callie Schwarzman Returns to Prison for Probation Breach After Prior Manslaughter Conviction

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Baltimore, Md. — A Maryland woman previously convicted in the deaths of two family members is facing prison time again after violating her probation terms. Callie Schwarzman, 28, was returned to custody following an incident where she was caught shoplifting, a clear breach of the conditions set when she was released early on probation. Schwarzman had been initially imprisoned following a tragic accident in 2019 where she struck and killed Deborah Limmer, 60, and her 5-year-old granddaughter, Delaney Gaddis, in Timonium. The accident occurred as Limmer was pushing Gaddis in a stroller along a sidewalk. … Read more

Oakland Airport Expansion Faces Legal Hurdles Over Environmental and Health Concerns

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Oakland, Calif. — The proposed expansion of Oakland International Airport, which would be its first significant renovation since the 1960s, is facing legal hurdles as two lawsuits challenge the initiative. The Stop OAK Expansion Coalition, along with Communities for a Better Environment, have filed suits alleging that the project does not comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), particularly concerning potential health impacts on nearby communities. Dr. Paul English, a former epidemiologist with the California Department of Public Health and member of the Stop OAK Expansion Coalition, voiced concerns that the addition of new … Read more