Firm News

The first trial begins Monday, April 7, 2025, in federal District Court in Chicago against the Boeing Corporation for the 2019 crash of a 737 MAX8 aircraft in Ethiopia on behalf of two victims who were among the 157 killed six years ago. The tragedy occurred on March 19, 2019, minutes after takeoff from the Addis Ababa airport in Ethiopia. U. S. Federal District Court Judge Jorge Alonso will begin jury selection Monday at the…

The 31st annual Clifford Tort Symposium, “Social Science and Civil Justice,” will be held at DePaul University College of Law on May 22-23. The program will examine how social scientists’ insights and procedures have influenced the civil justice system. With two dozen academics from around the country, the symposium will consider five key issues raised by social scientists, including what social science research teaches about decision maker prejudice and bias, as well as how judges…

Family Members of Crash Victims Expected to Attend 3/27/2025 Senate Aviation Subcommittee Hearing on Midair Collision Over the Potomac; Top Aviation Officials Expected to Testify Family members of victims of the January 29 midair collision of a commercial jet and military helicopter will be in attendance at the Thursday, March 27, 2025 US Senate aviation subcommittee hearing that will discuss the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) Preliminary Report on the matter. Attending will be Dailey…

Robert A. Clifford, founder and senior partner at Clifford Law Offices, authored an article for the February/March issue of Chicago Lawyer Magazine titled “Guidance on AI.” The article explores the Illinois Supreme Court’s decision that the state’s Rules of Professional Conduct and Code of Judicial Conduct apply to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal profession and shares guidance for the responsible use of AI tools within the profession. As new technology emerges…

DePaul University College of Law has announced that Andrew Hammond, an associate professor at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, has been named the 2025 Clifford Scholar-in-Residence. A committee of leading civil justice faculty examined the work of professors nationwide who have contributed to the field of tort law and chose Hammond as the national “rising star” in civil justice and this year’s Scholar. Professor Hammond writes and teaches in the areas of administrative law,…

Seventeen Clifford Law Offices attorneys have been named to the “2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers” list, exhibiting excellence in the legal profession. Robert A. Clifford Tracy A. Brammeier Richard F. Burke, Jr. Susan A. Capra Erin Clifford Bradley M. Cosgrove Kevin P. Durkin Charles R. Haskins Keith A. Hebeisen Sarah F. King Shannon M. McNulty Joseph T. Murphy James C. Pullos Kristofer S. Riddle Hon. Henry R. Simmons (Ret.) Craig J. Squillace Robert…

Courtney A. Berlin, associate at Clifford Law Offices, joined fellow ISBA members in hosting a table at DePaul University College of Law on February 27. Berlin was among a group of Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) members who engaged with law students, providing insights on professional growth and career development. She helped educate law students about the legal profession and the valuable resources provided by the ISBA. Law students can enjoy free ISBA membership for…

Robert P. Walsh, partner at Clifford Law Offices, has been appointed associate judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit Court, DuPage County. Chief Judge Bonnie M. Wheaton of the 18th Circuit in Illinois announced on February 27, 2025, that following a tabulation of ballots by the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts, Walsh was appointed to the position of Associate Judge. Walsh fills the vacancy created from the retirement of Associate Judge James D. Orel. Walsh started with…

Concerns are being raised about the reported Department of Transportation’s (DOT) obstruction of Congress’ investigation into Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) approval of the dangerous 737 MAX8 aircraft that was approved to fly following two fatal crashes and an unprecedented grounding for 18 months as the DOT Deputy Secretary faces a confirmation hearing Thursday. Families who lost loved ones in the March 2019 crash of a Boeing 737 MAX8 jet six years ago…