Johnson & Bell’s Board of Directors recently selected the following officers to oversee the firm’s operations: Robert M. Burke, President John A. Childers, Vice President Matthew L. Johnson, Vice President Sammi L. Renken, Vice President & Secretary Joseph B. Carini, Vice President & Security Officer Brian P. Gainer, Vice President & Treasurer Laura Johnson, Chief   Continue Reading »

On November 22, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division announced a final rule that increases the hourly minimum wage for certain federal contractors to $15 effective January 30, 2022.  According to the Department of Labor, this rule increases federal contracting economy and efficiency by boosting worker productivity, reducing turnover and absenteeism, and   Continue Reading »

We are very excited to introduce seven new Associate Attorneys who have joined Johnson & Bell.    Mallory G. Burney concentrates her practice in the areas of medical malpractice litigation, hospital liability defense, and long-term care litigation.  She represents hospitals, universities, physicians, nurses, and nursing homes in a wide variety of medical actions, including disputes   Continue Reading »

Johnson & Bell Shareholders, Ramses Jalalpour and David M. Macksey, and Associate Attorney, Adam J. Sedia, secured a Second District Appellate Court ruling affirming motion for summary judgment in favor of their client in a legal malpractice dispute. In this case, the plaintiffs, a real estate investment and management company and its owner, thought they   Continue Reading »

Recently, OSHA announced its Covid ETS for employers with 100 or more employees.  It’s important that contractors performing work under federal contracts understand that they are required to follow the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force issued COVID-19 Workplace Safety: Guidance for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors (the “Guidance”), rather than the OSHA ETS. The Federal contractor guidance outlines   Continue Reading »

On January 1, 2022, Illinois’ amended Freedom to Work Act (IFWA) will take effect. Non-compete agreements with employees earning less than $75,000 annually, as well as non -solicitation agreements with employees who earn less than $45,000 annually, are invalid and not enforceable. The Act also imposes strict pre-employment notice requirements and helps to insulate employees   Continue Reading »

In its recently released 2022 “Best Law Firms” rankings, U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers gave Johnson & Bell, Ltd. a Tier 1 ranking as a top litigation defense law firm.  According to the two publications, firms included in the 2022 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive   Continue Reading »

The Johnson & Bell trial team of Edward W. Hearn, Catherine Breitweiser-Hurst and Gregory D. Conforti successfully resolved a wrongful death trucking case where plaintiff asked the jury at closing for $12 million in damages. Johnson & Bell’s trucking client already had admitted liability for the accident and was defending this case solely on the   Continue Reading »

Last week, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) General Counsel, Jennifer Abruzzo, issued a memorandum providing guidance to all NLRB field offices on her position that certain Players at Academic Institutions are employees under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and are afforded all statutory protections.  In the memo, she advises that where appropriate, she   Continue Reading »

Several weeks ago, we reported that the First District Appellate Court had ruled in favor of our transportation client, allowing our client to transfer its case on forum non conveniens grounds from Cook County to Kane County, where an accident involving one of the company’s trucks and its driver occurred.  Following that ruling, the plaintiff   Continue Reading »