Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Policing Reform
A Moment of Simple Justice - Ferguson
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals recently vacated and remanded a District Court opinion that denied qualified immunity to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer. In Belton v. Loveridge, the appellate court held the trial...more
In Barnes v. Felix, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously held that courts evaluating Fourth Amendment excessive-force claims in Section 1983 lawsuits against law enforcement officers must consider the “totality of the...more
The most anticipated event at the U.S. Supreme Court today was the oral argument in the birthright citizenship case....more
Moore v. Oakland County, Michigan, 126 F.4th 1163 (6th Cir. 2025) - This § 1983 lawsuit was filed against a police officer after a confrontation during a traffic stop in which the plaintiff resisted compliance. Despite the...more
Key Points: Use of Deadly Force: The court upheld the police officers’ use of deadly force, which is relevant for insurance coverage in similar incidents. Municipal Liability: No liability for the defendant as there was no...more
MAKING THE WHOLE TRUTH PUBLIC: THE FIGHT TO RELEASE BODY-WORN CAMERA FOOTAGE IN SECTION 1983 LITIGATION - Body-worn cameras were heralded as a promising innovation in the fight against crime and police misconduct. But in...more
In the plaintiffs’ lawsuits against the City, former police officer Derek Chauvin, and several additional Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) officers, the complaints alleged police misconduct, use of excessive force, and...more
As part of our Black History Month activities, the Venable Success Network (VSN) hosted a panel discussion on Black resistance in America, which is the theme of this year’s celebration. Moderated by William Lawrence, an...more
The recent woman-led and -inspired demonstrations in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the country's Morality Police have garnered widespread support both in Iran and around the globe. These protests...more
In this post we describe the sanctions recently imposed by Canada on Iranian individuals and entities following the detention and, according to the Canadian government, apparent killing of Mahsa Amini, an Iranian woman, in...more
Are North Carolina Courts Chipping Away at Public Official Immunity? For years, police officers and other public officials in North Carolina have enjoyed the protections of public official immunity when charged or sued...more
The murder of George Floyd in May 2020 ignited a long-overdue global movement for racial justice, with communities across the United States and around the world unifying to demand change. In the immediate aftermath of...more
THE CHAUVIN CASE: A LIFTING OF THE VEIL OR ONLY A PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN? Thanks to a 17-year-old’s cellphone video, worldwide protests, and a televised criminal trial, the Derek Chauvin trial exposed misconduct and...more
Guilty Verdict - Earlier this week, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murdering George Floyd. While officials had feared massive demonstrations with the possibility of violence or property...more
Minnesota’s Biggest Story - The trial of Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd has put Minnesota in the national spotlight for the last few weeks. That trial is wrapping up, with closing arguments scheduled for...more
Tune In - Downtown Minneapolis is preparing for Minnesota’s first live broadcast, high-profile trial. Jury selection is set to begin on Monday in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Chauvin is...more
US Commission on Civil Rights Commissioner and WilmerHale Partner Debo Adegbile and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot discuss the US Conference of Mayors’ blueprint for improving policing and promoting equal justice in America’s...more
On May 25, 2020, police in Minneapolis killed George Floyd while arresting him for allegedly using counterfeit money. People across the country reacted to Floyd’s death with anguish. In some of the largest demonstrations this...more
In October and November, the Supreme Court of Canada’s docket is largely made up criminal cases. That said, there are three appeals that may interest businesses and organizations facing civil litigation....more
TO RAISE AWARENESS AND FUNDS TO FIGHT RACISM AND ADVOCATE FOR POLICE BRUTALITY REFORM - The Black is Beautiful initiative is a nationwide effort across the brewing community and craft beer customers, with the goal to...more
On July 20, the Minnesota Legislature adjourned its second special session of the summer. While there was no prior agreement between Governor Walz (DFL) and legislative leaders before this special session was called, the hope...more
The recent deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and the resulting protests around the country, pushed the ongoing issues of racial injustice and inequality in the United States to the forefront of our national...more
As reported by the Associated Press and CNN Business, employees in at least 25 states across the country intend to strike on Monday, July 20, 2020, as part of the Strike for Black Lives. Unions supporting this event include...more
The Movement for Black Lives (“M4BL”), in coalition with the Service Employees International Union, the American Federation of Teachers, United Farm Workers, and Fight for 15, recently announced the organization of a...more
The national outage over authorities’ excessive use of force, especially against black men, may take law enforcement, first responders, politicians, and critics into a murky and nightmarish area — call it the unfounded...more