The Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association is hosting a program designed to introduce the Northern District of Illinois’ newest district court judges on Thursday, June 8, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided, along with one hour of credit, pending approval. The event is being hosted at the Chicago
Johnston
Court Denies Dismissal of “Viable” Claim Years After Deadline to Amend
By R. David Donoghue on
Posted in Pleading Requirements
DR Distribs., LLC v. 21 Century Smoking, Inc., No. 12 C 50324, Slip Op. (N.D. Ill. Feb. 12, 2019) (Johnston, Mag. J.).
Magistrate Judge Johnston denied defendants’ motion to amend dismissing their defamation counterclaim in this Lanham Act dispute.
At the outset, the Court explained that these “bizarre” circumstances – a party opposing its…
Supplemental Expert Reports Should be Addressed by Sanctions Motions
By R. David Donoghue on
Posted in Experts
DR Distribs., LLC v. 21 Century Smoking, Inc., No. 12 C 50324, Slip Op. (N.D. Ill. Aug. 1, 2016) (Johnston, Mag. J.).
Magistrate Judge Johnston granted defendant’s motion to allow it to supplement its damages expert’s report in this intellectual property dispute.
As an initial matter, the Court noted that the parties had their…
Court Denies Post-Discovery Close Deposition
By R. David Donoghue on
Posted in Federal Rules
DR Distribs., LLC v. 21st Century Smoking, Inc., No. 12 C 50324, Slip Op. (N.D. Ill. Dec. 15, 2015) (Johnston, Mag. J.).
Judge Johnston denied defendants’ motion to compel the deposition of plaintiff’s prior trademark prosecution counsel.
Citing the “goose-and-gander” and “same monks, same haircuts” rule, the Court sought to be consistent in…
Supplemental Jurisdiction Found Over Disparagement & Defamation Claims
By R. David Donoghue on
Posted in Jurisdiction
DR Distributors, LLC v. 21 Century Smoking, Inc., No. 12 C 50324, Slip Op. (N.D. Ill. Nov. 20, 2014) (Johnston, Mag. J.).
Judge Johnston granted defendant’s motion to amend adding state law disparagement and defamation claims in this Lanham Act case involving plaintiff’s 21ST CENTURY SMOKE and defendant’s 21ST CENTURY SMOKING marks.…
The State of the Northern District Remains “Good”
By R. David Donoghue on
Posted in Legal News
Chief Judge Holderman offered his final State of the Court speech last month. Judge Castillo takes over as Chief Judge July 1, 2013. Here are the highlights from the address:
- “Filings are up and funding is down.” While the state of the court is good, prposped further budget cuts and reduced funding may force reduced
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