Tier 1 is reserved for the highest scoring firms during Best Law Firms annual review process. Congratulations on this outstanding achievement! Read More
Mandell Menkes entertainment law team, Tom Leavens, Joe Voss, Brian Saucier, and Peter Strand provided legal services for Fuzzytown Productions the creator of Carl the Collector negotiating and documenting the financing, production, talent, and distribution agreements and secured intellectual property rights. Read More
Steve Mandell successfully argued in Will County Circuit Court that Judge David Carlson should quash subpoenas issued by lawyers for convicted wife-killer, Drew Peterson, to cable news channel, NewsNation, and WGN TV. Peterson’s lawyer issued subpoenas to both media outlets seeking “outtakes” of the interviews that NewNation’s Ashleigh Banfield and WGN investigative reporter, Ben Bradley, • Read More »
Following a ruling made in the trial against the “ComEd 4” that the court would not allow the media to have access to audio recordings admitted as evidence of corruption by Michael Madigan, Steve Mandell and Brian Saucier petitioned to intervene in the case on behalf of WBEZ Chicago, the Sun-Times, and the Chicago Tribune. • Read More »
Steve Mandell and Brian Saucier, on behalf of WBEZ Chicago and the Chicago Sun-Times, successfully argued in Cook County Circuit Court that several pleadings in a lawsuit filed by investors of the Maple & Ash restaurant group were improperly filed under seal. The unsealed documents outlined the investors’ claim that the restaurant group misappropriated funds • Read More »
Provided by Chambers Founding partner Steven Mandell has a wealth of experience in the media and entertainment industry, which includes representing clients in IP and First Amendment disputes. Strengths “Steve is very good at negotiation.” “He is a knowledgeable and skilled litigator. He understands the legal and operational challenges of newsrooms and is well versed in media legal issues. • Read More »
The firm is delighted to announce that Bryan Lesser has joined Mandell Menkes as an associate. He graduated from Georgetown University Law Center in 2018 and has worked in Chicago since 2019, with a brief stint at the Office of the State Appellate Defender.
We congratulate Peter J. Strand of being recognized as a Best Lawyer “Lawyer of the Year” for 2023 – Entertainment Law – Music in Chicago and Thomas R. Leavens of being recognized as a Best Lawyer “Lawyer of the Year” for 2023 – Entertainment Law – Motion Pictures and Television in Chicago. We celebrate this acknowledgement by their • Read More »
Steven Mandell and Brian Saucier argued that the court file should be opened “to allow for appropriate public review and scrutiny.” They noted that Hastings said he wanted to protect his family’s privacy, even as his reelection campaign issued an ad featuring a photo of the senator with his children, describing him as a “single • Read More »
In a win for Mandell Menkes attorneys fighting a subpoena to the media, a Cook County Illinois criminal court judge in June 2022 denied a motion to divest the reporter’s privilege and granted the motion to quash the subpoena that Mandell Menkes attorneys filed in a post-conviction matter. Through the subpoena, the State of Illinois • Read More »
A plaintiff who brought a defamation lawsuit in Cook County, Illinois against Discovery Communications in connection with the program “People Magazine Investigates: Memphis Blues,” dropped her lawsuit in January 2022 after Mandell Menkes attorneys filed a motion to dismiss citing the California anti-SLAPP law, the New York anti-SLAPP law in the alternative, and the innocent • Read More »
On behalf of a coalition of TV broadcasters, Mandell Menkes attorney Steve Mandell convinced a Lake County judge to allow cameras in the courtroom for the sentencing hearing in the embezzlement case against Melodie Gliniewicz. Gliniewicz’ husband, a former Fox Lake police officer, died by suicide in 2015 in an attempt to cover up the • Read More »
“A judge with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois denied the plaintiff’s motion to amend her complaint in a defamation action against Hubbard Radio Chicago, LLC. Attorneys with Mandell Menkes represented the defendant Hubbard in the action.” Click link to read more McGurren v. Hubbard Radio Chicago, LLC, 2022 U.S. • Read More »
“Transcript of proceedings before Judge Carol M. Howard on June 27, 2022, in which Mandell Menkes attorneys for the media entity non-parties successfully argued that the Illinois court should deny the State’s Attorney’s motion to divest the Illinois Reporter Privilege.” Click to read the Transcript 06-27-22-HOWARD-Roosevelt-Myles3.pdf
On May 17, 2022, Peter J. Strand organized and moderated a CLE session entitled Music Producers and Production Agreements for Lawyers, presented by Wisconsin Entertainment Lawyers Association. The session featured Mandell Menkes, LLC partner Hillel Frankel and special guest world-renowned music/record producer Butch Vig (Nirvana Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters). The discussion centered around • Read More »
The radio station known as “The Mix” did not defame former morning co-host Melissa McGurren in an executive’s email saying it did not agree with her “characterization” of the events that led her to accuse the station of tolerating sexual harassment, a federal judge held. Read More
“A judge with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois granted defendant Hubbard Radio Chicago, LLC’s motion to dismiss in a defamation action. Attorneys with Mandell Menkes represented Hubbard in the action.” Click here to read more McGurren v. Hubbard Radio Chi., LLC, 2022 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 35631.pdf
Former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett was sentenced on March 10, 2022 to five months in jail after being convicted in 2021 of filing a false police report claiming he has been the victim of a racist and homophobic attack, and due to the work of Mandell Menkes attorneys, the public was able to watch the • Read More »
Purchasing groups were authorized by Congress along with risk retention groups under the 1986 Liability Risk Retention Act. Unlike risk retention groups, purchasing groups are not insurance companies. Instead, the purchasing group vehicle allows members with a similar risk profile to purchase liability coverage on a group basis. The purchasing group also makes it easier • Read More »
Last month, Steve Mandell moderated a conversation with the attorney defending comedian Sacha Baron Cohen in a suit brought by the former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, Roy Moore, and his wife. Mr. Moore alleged that Mr. Cohen, through his show Who Is America?, tricked him into believing that he was accepting an • Read More »
On September 14, 2021, Steve Mandell appeared before the Illinois Appellate Court for the First District to argue for the Appellees in Joseph Fox v. Crain Communications, Inc. Michael Arndt and Lynne Marek, pending in the Circuit Court of Cook County. Steve, along with Mandell Menkes attorney, Brian Saucier, had successfully represented Crain (the publisher • Read More »
On October 29, 2020, Steve Mandell moderated a virtual panel discussion entitled “Covid Courtroom: Practical tips for litigating and trying cases during a pandemic.” The panel featured experts from around the country who have confronted the challenges of litigating during the COVID 19 crisis including Johanna Carrane, Esq., President, JuryScope; Dana J. McElroy, Partner, Thomas & • Read More »
Bruce Menkes presented oral argument before the Seventh Circuit in Sterling National Bank v. Block, et al. (Nos. 19-2300, 19-3122, 19-3235). Mandell Menkes had previously prevailed on summary judgment in the Northern District of Illinois, where the district court held that Mandell Menkes’ clients were not obligated to indemnify Sterling National Bank for $2 million, • Read More »
On June 22, 2020, Judge Jorge Alonso of the Northern District of Illinois granted summary judgment to Mandell Menkes’ client on plaintiff’s claim for violations of the Illinois Consumer Installment Loan Act and the Illinois Interest Act. Mandell Menkes argued that plaintiff’s claims were barred by the time-price doctrine, and while the court found that • Read More »
Mandell Menkes represented Crain Communications, Inc., the publisher of Crain’s Chicago Business, in a defamation claim brought by local restauranteur, Philip Tadros based on an article in Crain’s Chicago Business that Mr. Tadros alleged was false and portrayed him in a negative light. In the face of multiple motions highlighting Mr. Tadros’ shortcomings in the • Read More »
On December 24, 2019, Judge Patricia O’Brien Sheahan of the Circuit Court of Cook County granted summary judgment in favor of Mandell Menkes’ client, Crain Communications, Inc., in a suit brought by businessman, Joseph Fox. Mr. Fox’ claims arose from the publication of an article in Crain’s Chicago Business, that he alleged was defamatory and • Read More »
On December 3, 2019, Judge Jorge Alonso of the Northern District of Illinois denied plaintiff’s Daubert motion to strike an expert proffered by Mandell Menkes’ client in a class action involving alleged violations of the Truth-in-Lending Act, the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, and Illinois usury laws. Plaintiff challenged the expert, whose • Read More »
Mandell Menkes won a complete victory in the Northern District of Illinois for its client, a forensic accountant accused of defamation and conspiracy to commit defamation, by a Northwestern University professor. After a week-long trial, the jury ruled in favor of Mandell Menkes’ client on both counts. District court judge Matthew Kennelly subsequently denied plaintiff’s • Read More »
Mandell Menkes represented the sellers of a $25 million company in a litigation instituted by the buyer, a national bank, to recover $2 million of the sale price. Specifically, plaintiff alleged that certain representations and warranties made in the stock purchase agreement were false, and sellers should indemnify plaintiff for $2 million. Mandell Menkes moved • Read More »
Mandell Menkes and entertainment law boutique Leavens, Strand & Glover announced that they are joining forces effective January 1, 2019. The combination expands Mandell Menkes’ media and entertainment practice, giving its large media, advertising and entertainment clients access to the deep experience of Tom Leavens, Peter Strand and their team.
In late May 2016, a high school student drowned in the pool at the Hillcrest Event Center, a recreational facility in Orion, Illinois near the Iowa border. Davenport station KWQC TV-6 reporter Dan Stevens investigated the drowning incident and looked into the background of Hillcrest owners Dan Kost, and his wife Terri Kost.
Steve Mandell shared key insights on the media’s access to information as the moderator of an all-star panel at the 2018 ABA Annual Conference CLE Showcase Program “Hurdles and Hope: The Quest for Transparent Government in the U.S. and Abroad” in Chicago on August 3, 2018.
Next month, a McHenry County judge will decide whether McHenry County Recorder Joseph Tirio’s is entitled to unmask the anonymous citizens responsible for critical campaign fliers circulated in the lead up to Tirio’s primary election.
McHenry County Recorder Joseph Tirio, who is running for McHenry County Clerk, has filed an Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 244 Petition seeking the identity of the individual(s) responsible for publishing the content on three campaign flyers circulated in the months leading up to the Republican primary in the spring of 2018.
Read the entire article from The City’s No. 1 Source for the Law Profession.
Lawyers for cop charged in Laquan McDonald shooting subpoena newspapers, click “here” to read the article. Photo from featured Chicago Tribune article
Steve Baron will be presenting at the University of Chicago Graham School on Legal Issues for Editors, Authors, and Freelancers at The Gleacher Center. Thursday, January 25, 2018 at 06:00pm READ MORE.
Mandell Menkes appeared on behalf of the Reporter’s Committee for Freedom of the Press for ruling on Chicago reporter Jamie Kalven’s motion to quash a subpoena issued by former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke’s lawyers in pending first degree murder proceedings. Kalven’s Slate Magazine story “Sixteen Shots” (http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2015/02/laquan_mcdonald_shooting_a_recently_obtained_autopsy_report_on_the_dead.html) revealed a police cover-up surrounding the • Read More »
Mandell Menkes appeared on behalf of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press in the prosecution of Jason Van Dyke. Mr. Van Dyke, a Chicago police officer, has been accused of first degree murder in the death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. After Mr. Van Dyke subpoenaed reporter Jamie Kalven, the Reporters Committee, represented by • Read More »
Mandell Menkes prevailed on a motion for summary judgment in a lawsuit filed by former and current Illinois gubernatorial candidate Tio Hardiman. Hardiman sued WFLD Fox 32 for defamation and false light arising from a news broadcast in the run up to the 2014 democratic primary. Hardiman claimed WFLD (owned and operated by Fox • Read More »
On Friday, November 17, Steve Baron will be speaking about author-ghostwriter contracts at the “Spotlight on Ghostwriting” conference sponsored by the American Society of Journalists and Authors https://asja.org/For-Writers/ASJA-Conferences-and-Events/ASJA-Chicago-2017
Steve Mandell and Brendan Healey spoke at a recent workshop for journalists organized by the Media Law Resource Center’s MLRC Institute. The workshops, which the MLRC has been putting on around the country, are aimed at giving some legal fundamentals to freelancers, bloggers, photographers, documentarians and other independent journalists who do not have the support • Read More »
The Media Law Resource Center (MLRC) London Conference is a biennial conference featuring distinguished speakers from government, the judiciary and the press. Media defense lawyers from around the world attend the MLRC London Conference to discuss the latest developments in libel, privacy, newsgathering and media IP laws. Mandell Menkes’ Steve Mandell is pictured below addressing the • Read More »
The firm is delighted to announce that George Desh has joined Mandell Menkes as an associate. George previously practiced at Kirkland & Ellis. He is an experienced litigator with an engineering background, and he has successfully represented clients in broad range of cases including mass torts, patents, data security, environmental litigation, and idea misappropriation, among • Read More »
Steve Mandell quoted in The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin on possible application of Illinois SLAPP statute to Cook County’s effort to enforce controversial soda tax. READ MORE
Mandell Menkes wins dismissal of emotional distress claims based on nurse’s bloody tweet. See attached opinion
Steve Mandell quoted in The Big Lead story on defamation suit filed by Charles Harder on behalf of RJ Bell READ MORE
The American Bar Association (ABA) Forum on Communications Law holds an annual three day conference each year focusing on new developments and hot topics in the field of media law. Steve Mandell was nominated as the 2017 Communications Law Forum Governing Committee Central Division Co-Chair and will assume his new position at the upcoming conference. • Read More »
Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke is charged with murdering 17 year old Laquan McDonald in October 2014. The Chicago Police Department’s disclosure of Van Dyke’s dashboard camera video of the incident drew significant public attention to the case and eventually prompted the recent United States Department of Justice inquiry into McDonald’s death and Chicago • Read More »
Mandell Menkes won an appeal in Wisconsin affirming dismissal of former Milwaukee firefighter Aaron Marjala’s defamation claim against Fox News, host Megyn Kelly and guest panelist Lee Armstrong arising from a Kelly’s Court segment debating Marjala’s decision to collect disability benefits while he was fit enough to compete as an Ironman triathlete. View the Kelly’s • Read More »
When a doctor came to Mandell Menkes for assistance, he was facing an uphill battle. The doctor was in the midst of a disciplinary proceeding before the professional organization of which he was a member. Representing himself in the initial hearing, the doctor lost on an ancillary but nonetheless important issue. The hearing panel voted • Read More »
In a victory for access to court records, firm client Elliot Carlson, an award-winning naval historian, recently prevailed in the Seventh Circuit in a lawsuit seeking grand jury transcripts. Mr. Carlson, who was joined by a consortium of scholarly organizations, sought the long-sealed transcripts from a 1942 grand jury investigation of the Chicago Tribune’s alleged • Read More »
Mandell Menkes lawyers Rebecca Edwards, Natalie Harris, Anne Jordan, Cristina Salvato and Danielle Twait hosted a relaxing evening of good food, drinks, conversation and connections for professional women at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Chicago. Guests enjoyed beautiful views of the city and Lake Michigan on one of the first lovely spring nights of the year. • Read More »
Mandell Menkes recently represented a coalition of television companies, newspaper companies, and media industry organizations contesting a proposed gag order in a Wisconsin criminal matter. The State of Wisconsin sought a gag order prohibiting the parties and counsel from making statements to the media that would have the likelihood of materially prejudicing the criminal proceedings. The media • Read More »
Mandell Menkes lawyers Steven Mandell and Steven Baron served as the editors for the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (TTIPS) Law Journal Winter 2016 article featuring recent developments in the field of media, privacy and advertising law. Lawyers Brendan Healey and Natalie Harris co-authored the advertising law section featuring content on • Read More »
Mandell Menkes won dismissal of a defamation, invasion of privacy and emotional distress complaint that Frank Gardner filed against the Fox 32 Chicago television station and it’s investigative reporter, Dane Placko. Gardner is a former attorney and Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. Gardner’s wife and son both ran as candidates for seats on • Read More »
In November 2014, Mandell Menkes won a directed verdict on behalf of its clients – a local television station and a news reporter – in a jury trial in Cuyahoga County (Cleveland), Ohio. The plaintiff in the case, a former high school art/photography teacher, alleged he was damaged by a news broadcast reporting on an • Read More »
The American Bar Association (ABA) Forum on Communications Law holds an annual three day conference each year focusing on new developments and hot topics in the field of media law. This year Steve Mandell facilitated the Hot Issues In Libel And Privacy session at the conference. The session covered a variety of issues including: recent • Read More »
Mandell Menkes obtained summary judgment on a breach of contract claim for a supplier of precision machined components. Mandell Menkes client Princeton Industrial Products Inc. supplied parts to a corporation with a machine gun mount contract for the U.S. Army. When the Army contract expired and was not renewed, the purchaser ceased paying for parts • Read More »
Michael Jordan claims he is entitled to millions for use of his name and jersey number in a congratulatory advertisement included within a commemorative magazine issue. In opening statements, Mandell Menkes partner Steve Mandell said that the astronomical sum of Jordan’s mega-contracts with Nike, Gatorade and Hanes does not represent the fair-market value of his • Read More »
Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge Jeffrey Conen granted Mandell Menkes’ motion to dismiss a defamation claim filed by ex-firefighter and Ironman triathlete Aaron Marjala against Fox News and the “Kelly’s Court” segment host and panelist. The Court found that statements in the segment—which criticized Marjala’s decision to collect publicly funded benefits despite suffering only a • Read More »
Steve Mandell was quoted in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s article regarding charged gambling guru, Adam Meyer’s request that certain federal court pleadings be sealed. Link to article
Steve Mandell was a Panelist at the Professional Risk Symposium held in Atlanta, Georgia on April 28, 2015. The panel addressed recent developments in copyright law and, in particular, developments in the law of “fair use.” The presentation was entitled “Fair Use and the Spotlight” and addressed, among other things, the demand for a license fee • Read More »
Mandell Menkes filed a motion to dismiss the defamation claim filed by former North Shore firefighter Aaron Marjala against Fox News and the “Kelly’s Court” segment host and panelist. In its motion Mandell Menkes argues that statements in the segment, which described Marjala’s participation in marathons and an Ironman triathlon while collecting taxpayer funded duty • Read More »
Mandell Menkes recently achieved a directed verdict on behalf of its clients – a local television station and a news reporter – in a jury trial in Cuyahoga County (Cleveland), Ohio. The plaintiff in the case, a former high school art/photography teacher, alleged that our clients defamed him and placed him in a false light • Read More »
Innocent Construction and Fair Report Privilege Protect Media Read More
Former Movie Star Could Not Prove Ebony Magazine Acted With Actual Malice Read More
The Milwaukee County District Attorney seized “secret” e-mails exchanged among County employees as well as the electronic equipment they used to keep those communications under the radar. Read More
Mandell Menkes lawyers represented the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in successfully intervening in a Wisconsin John Doe proceeding and compelling the return of secret emails and other records collected during the John Doe investigation involving members of Governor Scott Walker’s staff when he was the Milwaukee County Executive. For more information see: Click here for link to • Read More »
Mandell Menkes successfully defended Discovery Communications, LLC’s Investigation Discovery Network in connection with a lawsuit arising from the “Wicked Attraction” docudrama series.
Analyzing the 35 purchasing groups that were licensed in 2012, the RRR found that 27 different companies formed PCs last year and those groups were insured by 39 insurers. Read More >>
Steve Mandell was interviewed by CNN’s Nova Safo for the article “British React to Hacking Report”, Steve helps explain the difference between lible law in the U.S. and England. Click “read more” to go to the full article and soundbytes. Read More>>
Mandell Menkes Partner Steve Baron will be speaking on the topic of “Creating Contracts to Get a Product on the Market” Read More>>
Rebecca Edwards is featured in a Chicago Lawyer Magazine article “Lawyers With Style”, click on the link to read the entire article. Read More >>