Media Mentions
2008
Michael A. Pope was mentioned in the September 23 issue of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and the September 25 issue of the AmLaw Litigation Daily in articles regarding a nationwide class action brought by Rebecca Siegel and Michael Siegel against major gas producers in the Northern District of Illinois. The Siegels made claims of fraud and unjust enrichment, alleging that the gas companies kept prices high by limiting supply, restricting purchases and falsely advertising that gas supplies were scarce. The Honorable Amy J. St. Eve recently denied the motion for class certification on the grounds that the claims of fraud and unjust enrichment would differ from state to state, essentially violating the standard for class certification. Mr. Pope represented Exxon Mobil Corporation in the case.
Michael A. Pope PC, Class Action, Trial
Michael A. Pope was quoted in the January 1 issue of Law360 regarding the presidential candidates' lack of discussion about their plans concerning regulation and litigation. He noted that nearly all of the presidential candidates have law degrees, so they likely have opinions on the matter, but they have remained largely silent because the issue does not currently resonate with voters. "I don't see it being an issue in the campaign for president hardly at all," Mr. Pope said.
2007
Michael A. Pope, PC was quoted in a September 5 article by Riverfront Times regarding Amiel Cueto's defamation lawsuit against The Madison -St. Claire Record, where the small daily newspaper issued a non-bylined column entitled "Pulling strings?" that stated Cuerto had been seen at a meeting of St. Clair County judges. Mr. Pope referred to a letter that was published by the paper after the article was distributed which was signed by a number of judges stating that the meeting never took place and that Cuerto had never been invited or attended a Circuit Judge meeting. "I don't know what to make of the [judges'] letter. Is it correct but slightly misleading to say that on the nineteenth no one had a meeting there? That's something that people will have to judge for themselves," Mr. Pope said.
Michael A. Pope, PC was quoted in an August 21 article published by Product Liability Law360 regarding the growing importance of product liability in international trade. Mr. Pope discussed McDermott's efforts to help international firms comply with regulations and defend themselves against lawsuits by utilizing their strategic partnership with the Chinese law firm, MWE China Law Offices, as well as with their international dispute resolution team. Mr. Pope stated that the cooperation between all of the teams reflects the firm's "corporate culture where people reach out across practice groups." He continued, "It's not just simply going to trial. I think more and more the advice we bring to people will be important."
Michael A. Pope PC, International Dispute Avoidance and Resolution, Product Liability, Trial
Michael A. Pope was mentioned in the July 24 issue of U.S. Law Week in an article regarding punitive damages being awarded as a result of the Philip Morris U.S.A. v. Williams case. Although the Supreme Court held that jury could not impose punitive damages for injuring persons not before the court, the plaintiff was awarded $79.5 million in punitive damages due to the death of her husband as a result of cigarette smoke. The verdict resulted in confusion over the limits of punitive damages. Mr. Pope stated that when plaintiffs' attorneys are uncertain about a result as to punitive damages, they will place less reliance on that factor in settlements and in their pleadings.
Michael Pope was quoted in an April 27 Associated Press story on the settlement of a class-action lawsuit brought by about 900,000 physicians against the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and 23 affiliated plans. The plans will pay $128 million to settle physicians' claims of unfair payment practices and will make changes to ensure that patients get medically necessary care. Mr. Pope said, "The Blue Cross plans have always worked with their physicians." He was also quoted about the settlement in numerous other publications, including the Chicago Tribune, the Miami Herald and The New York Times.
Michael A. Pope PC, Class Action, Insurance Disputes, Professional Responsibility, Trial
2006
Michael Pope was quoted at length in a December 2006 article in Chicago Lawyer on the Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA). Among other changes, CAFA will broaden federal jurisdiction in class actions. Mr. Pope said, "In federal court, you can have a multidistrict panel that allows for consolidation in one place. That's a goal that has been enacted."
Michael A. Pope PC, Class Action, Trial
Michael Anthony, Bobby Burchfield, Gordon Greenberg, Christopher Jedrey, Ray Lupo, Terry McMahon, Michael Pope, Richard Smith and Jeffrey Stone will be recognized in the fall edition of Lawdragon magazine on its annual survey of the top 500 lawyers in the United States, the Lawdragon 500.
Michael F. Anthony, Bobby R. Burchfield, Gordon A. Greenberg, Christopher M. Jedrey, Raphael V. Lupo, Terrence P. McMahon, Michael A. Pope PC, Richard W. Smith, Jeffrey E. Stone, Corporate, Health, Intellectual Property, Media & Technology, Trial
2005
McDermott was featured in four cases and one M&A deal in the Crain's Chicago Business's list of 2005's big litigation and deals published on September 19. Lazar Raynal (Pritzker v. Pritzker), Rick Meyer (Lorillard Tobacco Co. v. Chester Wilcox & Saxbe LLP), Steven Scholes (SEC v. Calugar), Mike Pope and Christopher Murphy (Oshana v. Coca-Cola Co.), all trial partners based in Chicago were mentioned in the litigation list. John Tamisiea and Michael Fayhee were mentioned in the deal list for Gardner Denver Inc.'s purchase of Thomas Industries Inc.
Michael R. Fayhee, Derek J. Meyer, Christopher M. Murphy, Michael A. Pope PC, Lazar P. Raynal, Steven S. Scholes, John P. Tamisiea, Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions, Trial
McDermott was mentioned in the September 14 issue of Handelsblatt regarding an article about the decision of the Illinois Supreme Court concerning punitive damages and class actions; our team expect consequences from this decision for the class action against Philip Morris.
Steven P. Handler PC, Michael A. Pope PC, Class Action, Trial
2004
Michael Pope was quoted in the Chicago Tribune on February 29 in an article reporting that U.S. Congress is beginning to step in on class action settlements that pay lawyers millions of dollars and give plaintiffs coupons. Congress is currently weighing changes in the rules governing such awards as part of broader legislation aimed at reforming class action laws, including linking plaintiff attorneys' fees to the value of the coupons redeemed. Mr. Pope commented that it is "quite a possibility" that the legislation could result in fewer coupon deals. If that happens it will eliminate some flexibility from the negotiation of class action settlements.
Michael A. Pope PC, Class Action, Trial
Michael Pope was quoted in the January issue of CFO Magazine regarding the Class Action Fairness Act, which seeks to limit forum shopping, in which plaintiff's attorneys file class actions in small U.S. state courts with a history of plaintiff-friendly decisions. "The legislation deals with the abuse of plaintiffs' attorneys picking judges who are incapable of dealing with national issues," Mr. Pope commented.
Michael A. Pope PC, Class Action, Trial
2002
Michael Pope was listed in the July 22 issue of the CBA Report as a previous speaker at Chicago Bar Association and the Young Lawyers Section continuing legal education programs. CBA Report expressed its gratitude to all those you have volunteered their time for CBA and YLS over the past year.
Michael Pope's appointment to chairman of the National Judicial College's Board of Trustees was reported by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin on July 18.
Michael Pope's appointment to first vice president of the 7th Circuit Bar Association was reported by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin on June 19.
Michael Pope was quoted in the June 2 issue of the Chicago Tribune in regard to jury duty and its effects on hourly wage earners, self-employed workers and others whose employers don’t pay their wages while on jury duty. Mr. Pope commented on lack of participation for jury duty, "Judges and lawyers are concerned about it because the willingness of people to serve is an important part of the whole jury process, which is the bedrock of our justice system."
Michael Pope was quoted in the March 6 issue of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin in regard to Illinois Senate Bill 1127, which would replace the entire class-action code and introduce more stringent requirements for certifying and maintaining class actions. Mr. Pope told the Senate Judiciary Committee, "The number of cases being filed is too great, the ease with which large national classes are certified is too great…and the amount of money involved in these cases dwindles all prior analysis of who is responsible, who isn’t…"
Michael A. Pope PC, Class Action, Trial
2001
Michael Pope was mentioned in the July 30 issue of The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin in regard to his recent appointment as second vice president of the Seventh Circuit Bar Association.
Michael Pope was mentioned in the June 2001 issue of Chicago Lawyer in regard to presenting $476,660 in grants to 14 non-profit organizations as president of The Illinois Equal Justice Foundation.
