The team at Romanucci & Blandin kept up an aggressive pace in March, with results in the courtroom, multiple settlements and leadership activities outside the office.

Of particular note is a $4.93 million verdict for the death of a Chicago matriarch resulting from a Chicago Police car crash. This result was one of the highest in Illinois for the death of a person in their eighties. Our attorneys also secured a significant product liability settlement for the injury of a high school athlete, among other cases.

We are also proud of charitable donations by the Justinian Society of Lawyers Children’s Endowment Fund, as R&B has a long history with the fund. We also had individual attorneys receive awards, be featured in local media for their charitable work and share their experiences with law students.

You can read about these items, and more, below and we look forward to talking and working with you throughout 2023.

Always with tremendous gratitude,

The Team at Romanucci & Blandin

 

R&B Results

Civil Rights team wins nearly $5 million verdict for Chicago Police crash death

Founding Partner Antonio Romanucci, Partner Bhavani Raveendran and Senior Attorney Bryce Hensley

Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci, Partner Bhavani K. Raveendran and Senior Attorney Bryce T. Hensley, with co-counsel Andrew M. Stroth of Action Injury Law Group, secured a $4.93 million verdict for the family of Verona Gunn, an innocent bystander as the result of police failing to adhere to department policy on pursuits through traffic.

$2.675 million settlement for student-athlete

Senior Attorney Michael R. Grieco settled a sports product liability suit for $2.675 million for a student-athlete who suffered traumatic brain injuries and other issues from the failure of sports equipment at her school. The manufacturer did not notify of the defective nature of the product.

Senior Attorney Michael R. Grieco

Spinal injuries from snowplow accident result in $750,000 settlement

Senior Attorneys Bryce T. Hensley and Michael R. Grieco

Senior Attorneys Bryce T. Hensley and Michael R. Grieco obtained a $750,000 settlement for a client injured in a snowplow accident. An under-trained driver rear-ended the client, resulting in significant injuries.
 

Case Updates

Justice Dept. investigates Memphis PD as Tyre Nichols' family legal team speaks out

The U.S. Justice Department announced an investigation into the Memphis Police Department after Tyre Nichols' death.

Also in March, attorneys Benjamin L. Crump and R&B Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci released a statement on Memphis Police Lt. Dewayne Smith, retiring just days before his disciplinary hearing for his role in the beating death of Tyre.

Parents of Amir Locke talk to students, lawmakers about change

 

Amir Locke's parents, Andre Locke and Karen Wells, spoke at the University of Arkansas in early March about their advocacy to bring change to the use of no-knock warrants.

In Minnesota, Andre testified in front of two House Committees about his son's fatal shooting by police during a no-knock warrant last year, and that the 22-year-old was not named in the warrant nor was he a suspect in any crime. A no-knock warrant bill was proposed there in early 2023.
 

Chicago's Future

Antonio M. Romanucci moderated second mayoral run-off debate

March 9th's MCP Chicago Mayoral Forum was moderated by Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci and featured the two run-off candidates, Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas. The conversation at the DuSable Black History Museum ranged from crime and policing to the economy, the third airport proposal and increasing multicultural collaboration in the City.

Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci flips a coin to determine who will go first between mayoral run-off candidates Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas.
 

In the News

A Visit to Lambs Farm with Deerfield's David Neiman front page featuring Partner David A. Neiman in front of the non-profit's building.

Deerfield Neighbors - "A Visit to Lambs Farm with Deerfield's David Neiman," featuring Partner David A. Neiman, March 14, 2023

CBA Record - "CBA Record March/April 2023: Young Lawyers Section Issue," featuring Partner Martin D. Gould, March 13, 2023
 

Awards & Honors

Chicago-Kent College of Law honors Senior Attorney Daisy Ayllón

Senior Attorney Daisy Ayllón received the Chicago-Kent College of Law Outstanding Young Alumni award, which recognizes an alum who graduated within the past 10 years and has made a significant contribution to the practice of law, the judiciary, public service or government, business or commerce, or the media. Daisy joins just a handful of Chicago-Kent’s more than 16,000 alumni who were honored at this year’s ceremony.

Senior Attorney Daisy Ayllón in front of her poster at the award ceremony.

Crain's names Founding Partners as Notable Litigators

Founding Partners Antonio M. Romanucci and Stephan D. Blandin

Founding Partners Antonio M. Romanucci and Stephan D. Blandin were selected to the inaugural Crain's Chicago Business Notable Litigators & Trial Attorneys List.

2023 Edition of Leading Lawyers Honors 14 Attorneys from R&B

Romanucci & Blandin is pleased that 14 attorneys, including all of our partners, have been named to the 2023 Leading Lawyers and Emerging Lawyers lists.

Leading Lawyers logo
 

Our Thinking

I Think My Child Has a Birth Injury: What Do I Do?

Partner Joseph E. Kolar

Partner Joseph E. Kolar discusses what parents can do if they suspect an injury has happened during the birth process. Injuries can occur before and during birth, and also may take years to identify. Read the full blog from Joseph on our website.
 

Legal Leadership

Justinian Society gifts $15,000 to Chicago-area charities

Partner Bruno R. Marasso and Senior Partner Frank A. Sommario presented $15,000 in grants at the Justinian Society of Lawyers’ 21st Annual Children’s Endowment Fund (CEF) dinner last week. The Fox Valley Special Recreation Association, Direct Effect Charities and Saint Anthony Hospital each received $5,000 from the CEF, chaired by Sommario.

 Partner Bruno R. Marasso and Senior Partner Frank A. Sommario present $15,000 in grants.

R&B attorneys support women in law at UIC Law event

Managing Partner Gina A. DeBoni, Senior Attorney and Director of CLE Debra L. Thomas and Attorney Michelle R. DiSilvestro talk with UIC law students.

The University of Illinois Chicago School of Law hosted Managing Partner Gina A. DeBoni, Senior Attorney and Director of CLE Debra L. Thomas and Attorney Michelle R. DiSilvestro to talk with law students about career paths, particularly for women in law. The three R&B attorneys shared their personal experiences and took student questions. The firm was proud of their legal leadership during Women's History Month.