Latherow & Duignan

03/29/2022

Can’t wait!

03/18/2022

Join us on April 7th at Lawyers Rock! Latherow & Duignan is a proud sponsor of the event, with proceeds to benefit the statewide programs of the Illinois Bar Foundation and the juvenile justice causes supported by the M. Denny Hassakis Fund

02/09/2022

WCLA Learning: Webinar - Professional Responsibility Boot Camp for Workers’ Compensation Lawyers - 2/12/2021

Looking forward to speaking about diversity on February 11th @WCLA with a fabulous panel, including Mary Andreoni (ARDC) and Dr. Diane Uchiyama Illinois Lawyers' Assistance Program. Please join us!!

https://education.wcla.info/products/professional-responsibility-boot-camp-for-workers-compensation-lawyers-2112022


The webinar is free to WCLA members and $150 for non-members.

Mary F. Andreoni is Ethics Education Counsel for the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) where she develops and implements the ARDC’s ethics education initiatives, including the ARDC Ethics Inquiry Program and the Illinois Professional Responsibility Institute, where....

12/22/2021

12/01/2021

Medical Malpractice Seminar - Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA)

Bridget Duignan will present at the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Medical Malpractice Seminar this Thursday, December 2, 2021 at the JW Marriott. Still time to register !

https://www.iltla.com/events/medical-malpractice-seminar-7/

Sponsored by the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Education Fund – an Illinois Accredited MCLE Provider THURSDAY, December 2, 2021 Approved for 4. MCLE hours 7:30 – Registration Desk Opens (Continental breakfast provided.) Seminar begins at 8:15 AM; ends at 1:00 PM REGISTER IN ADVANCE...

11/23/2021

Ex-Chicago Park District Lifeguard Files Lawsuit Citing Culture Of Sexual Abuse, Harassment; 'Sexual Harassment Saturdays' Was A Noted Activity

Latherow & Duignan Bridget Duignan Rivero is handling cases on behalf of lifeguards who were victims of gender-related violence by the Chicago Park District. Please contact us if you, or a loved one, would like to discuss.

https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2021/11/22/chicago-park-district-sexual-harassment/?amp

"The mates and the captains were predominantly male while the junior lifeguards were heavily female."

11/04/2021

Don't forget to register for the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Workers' Compensation Seminar tomorrow at the Chicago Oakbrook Marriott and hear our very own, Bridget Duignan, present on Ethics & Diversity!

08/18/2021

Attorney & Firm Sued in Sterling, Illinois, Sexual Assault Case

Attorney & Firm Sued in Sterling, IL Sexual Assault Case
"This is an atrocious case," explained Bridget Duignan, partner at the Chicago law firm representing the woman. "Attorneys are held to a higher standard and are required to act in good faith when representing clients..."
"We know there are other victims of Lancaster's out there," added Duignan. "While at Miller & Lancaster, he handled divorce, personal injury, civil and criminal defense cases. He has practiced in Sterling since 1981. It's likely that he has raped and sexually assaulted other women in the last 40 years. We urge them to come forward and contact authorities."

https://patch.com/illinois/rockford/attorney-firm-sued-sterling-illinois-sexual-assault-case?fbclid=IwAR2-Sxc2yBpYQ4wvEWjJv02fxICmirnoDa6DezN2xxkb7nMUmj_rE-abzRo

One of your neighbors posted in Crime & Safety. Click through to read what they have to say. (The views expressed in this post are the author’s own.)

06/23/2021

L&D is pleased to announce that Bridget Duignan has been appointed as the Chair of the Tort Law Section Committee, one of the largest and most active committees within the Illinois State Bar Association.

04/28/2021

Looking forward to this event tonight! Don't forget to register!

02/01/2021

Congratulations to Bridget Duignan having been nominated as a Super Lawyer!

Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. This selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.

Bridget has been nominated by Super Lawyers annually since 2013!

01/13/2021

Please join us this Friday, 11 a.m. CST. We will be speaking about the implications of COVID-19 in the workplace, issues surrounding liability and moving forward with potential solutions. All are welcome to join!
https://www.facebook.com/MasonLEC/photos/a.166703010022416/5634408996585096/

12/15/2020

latherowandduignanlaw.com

Leading Lawyers Names Bridget Duignan a Top Suburban Business Lawyer
http://latherowandduignanlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Top-Suburban-Lawyers.pdf

11/22/2020

Get your tickets for some inspiration !

Have you purchased your ticket yet?

https://wbaillinois.org/topwomen/

11/04/2020

I’m in amazing company!

Congratulations to Bridget Duignan, of Latherow & Duignan, for being named a 2020 Top Women Lawyer in Leadership Award Honoree. Join us for the 2020 Top Women Lawyer in Leadership Awards Celebration on December 1, as we gather virtually to celebrate this year's inductees and network with other leading ladies in law. Register today at wbaillinois.org/topwomen

10/19/2020

Latherow & Duignan's cover photo

10/19/2020

We have exciting news! L&D has expanded and opened a second location to serve our client's needs! Also, please check out our new website, www.latherowandduignanlaw.com and our latest blog to keep current with important news. We realize the impact that medical negligence, construction negligence, wrongful death and personal injury can have on you and your family and we are proud of the families we represent and the success achieved on their behalf. Contact us for a free consultation.

08/25/2020

Blanket COVID-19 liability shield will cost taxpayers - Roll Call

When corporations are not held accountable for their actions, there is no incentive to keep employees healthy and safe. When corporations are shielded from liability, the burden falls on the taxpayer. We as individuals are held accountable for our actions, why should these corporations be held to a lesser standard? And, of course, there is more...

“Even more absurd than the general coronavirus-related liability shield is the talk of adding other, unrelated immunity clauses to the relief bills. The oil and gas industry, for example, has been looking to avoid liability for the monumental climate harms and public costs their products have caused — even after they understood how harmful their product was to human health and the climate.”

Legal immunity from coronavirus-related lawsuits would only shift the burden and costs to the injured party — and more often than not to the taxpayers.

08/15/2020

Latherow & Duignan's cover photo

08/12/2020

Aurora meat plant sued after butcher's wife dies of COVID-19

We are committed to this family achieving justice and committed to all workers who deserve an opportunity to keep themselves and their families, safe.

https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200811/aurora-meat-plant-sued-after-butchers-wife-dies-of-covid-19

A lawsuit seeks damages for wrongful death after a longtime butcher at an Aurora meat packing plant caught COVID-19 and passed it to his wife, who died on May 2.

03/03/2020

Latherow & Duignan is a proud sponsor of Lawyers Rock, March 12, 2020 at Lincoln Hall (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)

The proceeds from this event will help the Illinois Bar Foundation ensure access to justice and support juvenile justice causes through the Foundation's M. Denny Hassakis Fund.

Get your tickets at https://www.illinoisbarfoundation.org/lawyersrock

02/19/2020

Top Rated Chicago, IL Medical Malpractice Attorney | Bridget Duignan | Super Lawyers

Jerry Latherow and Bridget Duignan have again been selected! Super Lawyers rates outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The patented selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.

Only 5% of attorneys are selected.

Bridget Duignan is one of the top rated Medical Malpractice attorneys in Chicago, IL. She has met the stringent Super Lawyers selection criteria.

08/28/2019

Private practice attorney helps write new sexual harassment act

By Adrianna Pitrelli [email protected]
POSTED August 26, 2019 11:01 AM
Bridget C. Duignan

SPRINGFIELD — Sexual harassment, retaliation and discrimination in the workplace happens much too often, according to Bridget Duignan.

A passion to change that culture led the Latherow & Duignan partner to write a comprehensive part of a bill — known as the Workplace Transparency Act — which was recently signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

The measure will apply to all workplace contracts, agreements, clauses and waivers that are modified or extended on or after the effective date of Jan. 1.
It restricts nondisclosure and nondisparagement language in all agreements — unless made mutually agreeable and restricts an employer’s ability to require mandatory arbitration of sexual harassment or other discrimination claims.

“You could still agree to arbitration subject to certain provisions,” Duignan said. “But it cannot be for discrimination and harassment claims. And that’s the bottom line — harassment and discrimination can no longer be kept a secret.”

Most notably, the act requires employers to report settlements and adverse judgments to the Illinois Department of Human Rights.

The measure also requires annual sexual harassment training and directs employers to report settlements and adverse judgments to the Illinois Department of Human Rights.

The Workplace Transparency Act was part of an omnibus bill that also focuses on the Sexual Harassment Victim Representation Act and the Hotel and Casino Employee Safety Act.

After Sen. Melinda Bush of Grayslake traveled the state with the Senate Task Force on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment Awareness Prevention last year, she knew workers needed more protection against harassment and discrimination.

“The main thing I learned from last year’s Senate hearings on sexual harassment and discrimination is that victims don’t have the legal protections they need to hold perpetrators accountable and seek justice,” Bush said. “[This measure] will provide cover for victims and allow them to seek damages and protection, should they need to.”

The group heard from victims, advocates and business community members about what was happening to them and what they would like to see done. Duignan was among them.

“I explained to them that when people enter into these agreements, when potential employers and employees enter into these agreements, they’re required to do so as a condition of employment,” Duignan said. “And although it doesn’t specifically state that it covers sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation, it covers any and all employment issues, and those items happen to be included in employment issues because they’re happening in the workplace.”

After that conversation, Duignan knew she needed to do more to help other women in the workplace. That’s when she wrote the bill.

“So what we did was provided that an employer may not enter into that type of contract with an employee or an applicant as a condition of employment. That was the number one thing as a condition of employment a contract that contains a nondisclosure or nondisparagement clause that covers harassment or discrimination,” Duignan said. “So harassment and discrimination is now precluded from nondisclosure, nondisparagement — and that’s across the board.”

Duignan said she was pleased with the final measure and that the governor chose to sign it. She said she hopes her work on it will help change the culture in the workplace.
“Sexual harassment is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the state of Illinois,” Pritzker said at the signing ceremony earlier in the month.

“Ending the culture of sexism and sexual harassment in workplaces across our state takes a comprehensive approach. This common sense law makes it clear that the days of turning a blind eye to sexual harassment in the workplace are over,” he said.

08/09/2019

Bridget Duignan, co-author of the Workplace Transparency Act, was invited to attend the private signing ceremony at the Governor’s Office...and a selfie with our Governor ? Bonus!

07/09/2019

Bridget Duignan was a chief author of the Workplace Transparency Act, which recently passed the House and Senate awaiting Governor Pritzker's signature. According to Duignan, once signed into the law, the Act will "equalize the bargaining power between potential employee or employee and employer...that practice, of keeping sexual harassment, retaliation, and discrimination a secret, and then subjecting that employee to a pro-employer arbitration process, is over."

06/20/2019

We are humbled again to be named Leading Lawyers

06/14/2019

L&D proudly announces that managing partner, Bridget Duignan, was elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Bar Foundation for a two-year term AND appointed as Secretary of the Tort Law Section, one of the largest committees in the Illinois State Bar Association.

06/07/2019

The magazine for the profession

Bridget Duignan, managing partner at Latherow & Duignan, weighs in on good faith evaluation of claims in CHICAGO LAWYER MAGAZINE (June 2019)

"Insurance companies forget that they are making critical decisions regarding people, not case files."

http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODN/ChicagoLawyerMagazine/Default.aspx

Timely articles and surveys on attorneys, law firms, issues and events affecting the legal community have earned this monthly magazine numerous awards. In addition to stories on major legal issues and trends, the magazine includes columns by acclaimed attorneys in a variety of fields such as ethics,...

05/29/2019

Thank you to AlexandraSossa Flap and FLAP for the opportunity to present to eager and compassionate law students and summer interns! Such a pleasure to be a part of this great organization!

1st day of Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project - FLAP Migrant Law Training is happening now!

05/10/2019

Thank you to the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association for a powerhouse panel of ALL WOMEN trial lawyers who presented today on Trial & Practice Tips and thank you to all who joined us!!!

Thanks to all the ladies who spoke today at ITLA's Trial & Practice Tips Seminar today.

04/05/2019

Our firm has reached a global settlement on behalf of five minors having been sexually assaulted in an in-home daycare. L&D was hired after DCFS labeled the charges "unfounded". We worked with investigators to re-open the case resulting in an arrest, and successfully appealed a decision by the circuit court dismissing the cases. The confidential settlement will bring financial relief and well-deserved closure for our young clients and their families.

03/27/2019

Great event!

Thank you to everyone who attended the ISBA YLD’s free lunch and learn today at the Chicago Regional Office! Panelists included ISBA Third Vice President Anna Krolikowska, ISBA Board of Governors Members Bridget Duignan and Daniel Saeedi, Karen VanderMeer, Kelly Bennett, and Judy Conway. The event included discussions about networking, how to attract clients, how to make the most of networking, and expanding business opportunities. https://bit.ly/2JGMTnm

03/15/2019

The Importance of Civil Justice to Sexual Assault Survivors and the Devastating Consequences of Tort Reform

The Importance of Civil Justice to Sexual Assault Survivors and the Devastating Consequences of Tort Reform

CJ&D is a tax-exempt nonprofit group that works to protect the civil justice system and fight tort reform.