Robert A. Clifford and Clifford Law Offices are longtime supporters of the Camillus House, a nonprofit organization providing housing assistance, treatment assistance, and other specialized services and resources to underprivileged and homeless individuals and families in South Florida.
As Founding Trustee sponsors, Bob and his wife, Joan, are proud supporters of the mission of the Camillus House and have contributed to the organization’s fundraising efforts over the years. Their support continues in 2024 with their sponsorship of the Camillus House spring fundraiser “The Auction: Uncork & Unwind,” on Saturday, April 27 at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel.
The event will feature Pulitzer Prize-winning Humorist Dave Barry and James Beard Award-Winning Chef Michelle Bernstein and will include a caviar reception and a live auction.
To learn more about the Camillus House, or to purchase tickets for the event, click here.
Clifford Law Offices is proud to sponsor Kerfuffle!, the annual benefit event supporting the Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts). The fundraising event will take place on May 2, 2024, from 5:30 to 10:00 pm at Morgan Manufacturing.
Kerfuffle! will feature performances by the next generation of writers, dancers, musicians, actors, and artists, showcasing the talents of hundreds of scholar-artists from across Chicago. All proceeds from the event directly support ChiArts’ dance, creative writing, music, theater, and visual arts conservatories.
As Chicago’s first and only pre-professional public arts high school, ChiArts nurtures new generations of scholar-artists through an “intensive pre-professional training in the arts, combined with a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum.” The school encourages all students to grow as creators and thinkers who enrich society through the arts. ChiArts seeks to instill the core values of creativity, community, integrity, humility, balance, and perseverance in all students.
Clifford Law Offices is a longtime supporter of ChiArts, the growth and development of educational programs, and public access to the arts throughout Chicago. Erin Clifford, partner at Clifford Law Offices and former Chicago public school educator, serves on the ChiArts’ board of directors.
To learn more about ChiArts or to purchase tickets for Kerfuffle!, click here.
Erin Clifford, Director of Marketing and Business Development at Clifford Law Offices, will be speaking at the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA) Ethics and Professionalism webinar on April 16, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
Erin will speak on self-care strategies for busy lawyers, offering a half-hour credit for mental health/substance abuse. Other topics covered during the three-hour program include ethical considerations behind attorney advertising and dealing with co-counsel.
A partner at the firm, Erin is also a Corporate Wellness Consultant and National Certified Counselor holding a master’s degree from Northwestern University in Mental Health Counseling with Academic Distinction.
To register, please click here.
For further information, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell).
National Hellenic Museum’s
The Trial of Pericles
Wednesday, April 17
7 p.m. at the Harris Theater
Nationally renowned attorneys to argue ancient Greek case regarding voting rights, including Katerina Alexopoulos (U.S. Department of Homeland Security), Patrick M. Collins (King & Spalding), Tinos Diamantatos (Morgan, Lewis & Bockius), Sarah F. King (Clifford Law Offices), James C. Pullos (Clifford Law Offices) and Patrick A. Salvi II (Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard)
Judges include Ret. Circuit Court Judge Anna H. Demacopoulos, Circuit Court Judge Anthony C. Kyriakopoulos, and U.S. District Court Judge Lindsay C. Jenkins
Jurors include Democratic nominee for Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke and President-Elect of the Chicago Bar Association John C. Sciaccotta
CHICAGO (April 10, 2024) — The National Hellenic Museum (NHM) is proud to announce the prominent attorneys, judges, and jurors for The Trial of Pericles on Wednesday, April 17 at 7 p.m. at the Harris Theater (205 E. Randolph Street, Chicago). Bringing together nationally renowned attorneys in a contemporary courtroom setting, The Trial of Pericles continues NHM’s exploration of how the ancient Greeks grappled with timeless controversies that continue to influence modern society. At this dynamic live event, prosecutors and defense attorneys present an ancient case regarding citizenship, voting rights, and Pericles, the great hero of Athenian democracy—with audience members casting their votes to decide the final verdict. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the NHM website.
The prosecution team for the Trial of Pericles includes attorneys Katerina Alexopoulos (U.S. Department of Homeland Security), Patrick M. Collins (King & Spalding LLP), and Tinos Diamantatos (Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP). Presenting the defense of Pericles will be Sarah F. King, (Clifford Law Offices PC), James C. Pullos (Clifford Law Offices PC), and Patrick A. Salvi II (Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard PC).
Judges presiding at the Trial of Pericles are Hon. Anna H. Demacopoulos (Ret. Circuit Court Judge, State of Illinois), Hon. Anthony C. Kyriakopoulos (Circuit Court Judge, State of Illinois), and Hon. Lindsay C. Jenkins (U.S. District Court Judge, Northern District of Illinois).
The April 17 event will be emceed by award-winning Chicago media personality and NHM Trustee Andrea Darlas. Prominent jurors at the Trial include: Justice Eileen O’Neill Burke (Ret.), Democratic Nominee for Cook County State’s Attorney; Steve Cochran, Host of the Steve Cochran Show on WLS AM 890; 34th Ward Alderman Bill Conway; Professor Nicholas Doumanis, Professor and Illinois Chair in Hellenic Studies at the University of Illinois Chicago; Themistocles P. Frangos, Officer of the Hellenic Bar Association; Professor Zoi Gavriilidou, Visiting Professor at the University of Chicago; Shia Kapos, Reporter for POLITICO; Cannon Lambert of Karchmar & Lambert, P.C. and Past President of the Cook County Bar Association; Commander Melinda Linas, 14th District Commander of the Chicago Police Department; John C. Sciaccotta of Aronberg Goldgehn, President-Elect of the Chicago Bar Association; Kristofer Swanson, Vice President and Practice Leader of Forensic Services at Charles River Associates; and Consul Georgia Tasiopoulou of the Greek Consulate General in Chicago.
The role of Pericles will be played by Judge Paul Lillios (Ret.) and the role of Olympia, a non-Athenian wife and mother in Athens serving as a witness for the prosecution, will be played by Judge Megan Goldish.
Tickets for the National Hellenic Museum’s The Trial of Pericles on Wednesday, April 17 at 7 p.m. at the Harris Theater (205 E. Randolph Street, Chicago) are now on sale for $100, with student tickets available for $50 with proof of ID. Attorneys who attend this event will qualify for 1.5 hours of continuing legal education (CLE). For more information and to purchase tickets, click here or call 312-655-1234.
The National Hellenic Museum recognizes and appreciates the support of its Lead Sponsors for The Trial of Pericles, as well as the generosity of all the sponsors who helped make this event possible. Lead Sponsors for this event are Calamos Investments; Clifford Law Offices; The Jaharis Family Foundation; The James A. Regas Family; and Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard.
The Trial of Pericles event co-chairs are NHM Trustees Konstantinos Armiros, counsel at Saul Ewing LLP, and Judge Anna Demacopoulos (Ret.).
The Trial of Pericles is nearly 2,500 years in the making. In 451 B.C.E., Pericles changed the Athenian Constitution to restrict citizenship to those born to two Athenian parents. He said this action was necessary to protect Athens from foreign influence, while many others saw this as tyrannical because citizens lost their civil liberties, including the right to vote. Some speculated Pericles would have faced trial for his actions had he survived the Great Plague of Athens. Now, the National Hellenic Museum brings together top litigators to argue the case and determine whether Athens’ revered statesman truly attacked democracy.
The dynamic NHM Trial Series highlights the enduring relevance and value of Greek thought and history and supports the mission of the National Hellenic Museum. It has grown both in reputation and following since its inception in 2013. In 2016, NHM’s The Trial of Antigone was broadcast on WTTW TV (PBS Chicago), and in May 2017 it was nominated for a Midwest regional Emmy. Subsequent NHM Trial Series events have also aired on public television and received regional Emmy nominations. Since 2017, the annual event has been qualified by the Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission (IARDC) for continuing legal education (CLE) credit. Attorneys attending the event can register for CLE credit on-site.
About the National Hellenic Museum
The National Hellenic Museum has a mission to share Greek history, art, culture, and the Greek American story. NHM preserves the Hellenic legacy and makes this rich heritage relevant today through its extensive collection of more than 10,000 physical artifacts, hundreds of oral histories, exhibitions, educational programs, and special events. Originally founded in 1983 and located in Chicago’s historic Greektown neighborhood since 2011, the museum provides lifelong learning for the community and sparks inquiry and discussion about the broader issues in our lives and society. Regular museum hours are Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
On April 10, Sarah F. King, partner at Clifford Law Offices, joined the Rufus Williams Show on WVON (1690 AM) morning radio to speak about the upcoming mock Trial of Pericles, an event sponsored by the National Hellenic Museum. She was joined by Patrick Collins of King & Spaulding LLC whom she will be squaring off against in the mock trial on April 17 at the Harris Theater.
King and James C. Pullos, partner at Clifford Law Offices, will represent Pericles along with a team of outstanding Chicago lawyers who will argue the case for and against the great hero of Athenian democracy before a panel of celebrated judges. Audience members will cast their votes to decide the final verdict: hero or tyrant?
Attorneys who attend this event qualify for 1.5 hours of continuing legal education (CLE).
The event begins at 7 p.m. at the Harris Theatre, 205 E. Randolph St., Chicago. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the Museum at 312-655-1234.
Click here to listen to the full interview.
Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices in Chicago, has been named one of America’s Top 200 Lawyers in Forbes’ inaugural list of 2024. Clifford is among only eight personal injury attorneys in the nation selected to the list, and the only personal injury attorney from Illinois.
In making its selection, Forbes’ editors stated they rated thousands of lawyers through a multi-layer process and highlighted “the finest practitioners in the profession—lawyers with stellar track records in their specialties, those who have broken barriers to emerge as leaders in their fields, and attorneys most respected by peers and clients.”
In selecting Clifford to this “power list,” Forbes wrote, “Clifford chairs Clifford Law Offices, a litigation boutique that has won major cases for clients harmed by wrongful conduct for over four decades. Clifford’s cases range from aviation to personal injury, medical negligence, and mass torts. A specialist in airline crash litigation, one of his most high-profile cases was as lead counsel on the Ethiopian Boeing 737 Max8 tragedy.”
“I’m humbled to be selected to Forbes’ list of those who have had unparalleled passion for what we do,” Clifford said. “I have the same passion as the day I started, and I am privileged to have so many put their trust in me over the years when they have complex legal issues that seem insurmountable. I work for fairness and justice for all my clients.”
Forbes said about their selection process that the lawyers named, “All share reputations for integrity, records of excellence—and Forbes’ recognition as the best in the business.”
For further information, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell).
Kevin P. Durkin, partner at Clifford Law Offices, traveled to Mexico with the Chicago Bar Association and CBA President Ray J. Koenig III for the association’s 2024 CLE Abroad in Mexico.
The educational trip included continuing legal education programming on comparative law topics and various tours and cultural experiences. Mr. Durkin, an established personal injury and aviation attorney with extensive experience in international litigation, was the moderator for the program’s session titled Comparing the U.S. & Mexican Legal Systems on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.
Known for his exemplary results stemming from high-profile cases, Kevin Durkin has obtained many record-breaking settlements and verdicts throughout his career including a $35 million verdict in the highly publicized case of the internationally acclaimed violinist, Rachel Barton, who was severely injured when a Chicago commuter train dragged her for more than 300 feet. In addition, he has been involved in nearly every major commercial airline crash of the last four decades, often serving as lead counsel.
To learn more about the Chicago Bar Association and its programs, click here.
Kevin P. Durkin speaks at the Chicago Bar Association’s Continuing Legal Education Program in Mexico on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.
Clifford Law Offices filed a lawsuit against NASCAR, various construction companies involved in the 2023 Chicago street races, as well as the Chicago Park District on behalf of an electrician who was killed during construction of the 2023 summer event.
Kevin P. Durkin, partner at the firm, along with co-counsel Daniel L. Clayton of Nashville, Tennessee, filed the case in Cook County Circuit Court in Chicago on behalf of the family of Duane Tabinski, 53, who was electrocuted June 30, 2023, as he worked to put together necessary audio components near Grant Park as part of the activities. Duane was retained by NASCAR as a contractor to work on the event’s race stage and racetrack, and to provide the speakers and microphones for the announcers and grandstands near Buckingham Fountain.
The complaint, filed on March 19, alleges that NASCAR, the Chicago Park District, and others in charge of the construction were negligent in their failing to take proper safety precautions to protect Tabinski. The lawsuit was filed by his widow, Kristin Tabinski. Duane, founder of his own audio company out of Nashville, Tennessee, also left behind two children.
“This was a horrible tragedy for the Tabinski family. What happened last summer in the course of the setting up of the NASCAR race in Chicago was entirely preventable and it cannot happen again,” Durkin said. “There was a terrible lapse in safety that led to the unfortunate death of Duane Tabinski.”
The lawsuit claims NASCAR failed to properly maintain a safe condition, failed to inspect the premises, and failed to comply with industry standards related to the event’s production. The lawsuit also names United Rentals, the company that provided the electrical equipment for the event; Four Lead Productions, an event services provider; Malo Communications Services, an electrical company; and McGuire Scenic, a set design company. The Chicago Park District is named for negligence by engaging in willful and wanton misconduct in its failure to ensure both Four Lead and NASCAR provide proper staging and production of the event.
Chicago is expected to hold a second NASCAR street race July 6-7, 2024, on what appears to be the same 2.2-mile course.
For further information, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell).
Boeing’s top executive will step down this year amid a broader shakeup of the airplane manufacturer’s top leadership announced on March 25, 2024. Still, it is disappointing that it took CEO David Calhoun to leave because of the MAX9 door mishap. He told the press that the Alaska Airlines door plug flying off in January was a “watershed moment.”
“Two Boeing MAX8 planes crashed within five months while Calhoun was at a top executive spot at the company, yet it takes the sloppy design of a different aircraft — grounded in greed — to lead him to want to leave early,” said Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner of Clifford Law Offices in Chicago and Lead Counsel in the federal litigation pending in the 2019 crash in Ethiopia. “The watershed moment should have been when nearly 400 people died in the Boeing Max 8 disasters years ago. Taken seriously, it is likely that the Alaska Air debacle could have been averted, and the company would be on the way to healing itself, and ensuring the safety of the flying public. The families knew that the culture of profit over safety would not change when Calhoun took over in January 2020 because he was raised on that principle.”
Calhoun, 66, has served on Boeing’s Board of Directors since 2009. Its Board of Directors changed company bylaws in 2021 to extend the retirement age to 70 to allow Calhoun to take over until April 2028.
This latest announcement comes on the heels of a tumultuous five-plus years, with most travelers losing faith in the 108-year-old plane manufacturer. It also was announced that effective immediately the CEO of the commercial airline unit, Stan Deal, is leaving to be replaced by Boeing’s chief operating officer Stephanie Pope. Boeing Chairman of the Board Larry Kellner also is stepping down. He will be succeeded as chair by Steve Mollenkopf, who has been a Boeing director since 2020 and will lead the board in picking a new CEO, Boeing announced.
“This exodus is just a start. As the victims’ families of the Boeing crash have stated, the company needs a complete cleanout. Competent people who value safety must be running that company to send a message throughout the entire industry that it is serious about making planes that are safe. All Boeing workers must take pride in what they are doing with the lives of every passenger in their hands. That simply isn’t the case as dozens of whistleblowers and previous employees have complained,” Clifford said. “Boeing must come to terms that the MAX aircraft must be totally re-certified. Boeing engineers must work on the latest state-of-the-art design of a new plane instead of retooling a plane that has been in the air for 50 years for the purpose that the FAA conducts less scrutiny. There’s just too much wrong with that aircraft.”
For further information or to speak to Robert Clifford, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell).
