The attorneys at Dvorak, Toppel & Barrido, LLC have obtained millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts on behalf of their clients, and well over 100 Not Guilty verdicts on behalf of their clients charged with criminal offenses. When going to trial is not the best option for the client, the firm has also been able to obtain very favorable plea dispositions. The following cases are examples of some of these cases.
* Please note that the names of our clients are listed as initials to protect our clients' privacy.
Civil Rights Cases
Excessive Force
D.D. v. Cook County, et. al. (2009) - In the Northern District of Illinois. An inmate at the Cook County Jail, who the firm did not represent, severely beat a correctional officer. Twelve Plaintiffs alleged that, in retaliation for the beating, dozens of correctional officers came onto the deck and beat them. The firm represented all twelve inmates. After extensive litigation, the County Board approved a settlement of $750,000.00, one of the largest excessive force settlements the County has ever approved.
A.M. & A.M. v. City of Berwyn (2008)
United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois - The clients, husband and wife, were celebrating the 4th of July holiday at their home when Berwyn Police arrived to investigate a fireworks complaint. The couple alleged that during the course of the police investigation, the husband was excessively Tasered and the wife was falsely arrested for obstructing and battery to a police officer. The wife, who was represented by attorneys from Dvorak, Toppel & Barrido, LLC during the criminal trial, was acquitted of all criminal charges at a jury trial. As a result of being Tasered, the husband underwent spinal surgery and missed months of work while recuperating. After substantial litigation, a confidential monetary settlement agreement was reached with Berwyn.
C.H. v. Crick (2008)
United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois - The client applied for a position as a casting assistant with company making a film in Chicago. The Plaintiff alleged in her pregnancy discrimination lawsuit that she did not get the job because of the employer’s improper concerns that her pregnancy was incompatible with the demands of the job. After filing a complaint with the EEOC, and then bringing suit in federal court, Dvorak, Toppel & Barrido, LLC was able to secure the Plaintiff a favorable confidential monetary settlement.
R.S. v. Town of X (2008)
United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois - The client was a female police officer at a Chicago Suburban Police Department. She alleged she was sexually harassed and unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of her gender by police officers when they held her inside for desk work instead of putting her out on patrol. After substantial litigation, a confidential monetary settlement agreement was reached to the client’s satisfaction.
M.B. & J.B. v. Village of Rosemont (2007)
United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois - The clients, husband and wife, were charged criminally with resisting arrest and battery to police officers. During the course of the incident, both were Tasered by police. The wife was eight months into her pregnancy at the time of the incident. Attorneys from Dvorak, Toppel & Barrido, LLC represented the couple in criminal court. On the date of the jury trial, the State’s attorney dropped all criminal charges. The couple brought a lawsuit against Rosemont and the officers in federal court. A successful confidential settlement agreement was reached ending the litigation.
D.M. v. Sheriff of Cook County (2006)
United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois - The client, a pretrial detainee in the Cook County Jail, alleged he was beaten by several Cook County Correctional Officers while their commanding officer simply looked on. Despite the fact that the client only sustained black eyes and bruises, a jury returned a verdict against the defendants for excessive force in the amount of $780,000.00. The Plaintiff’s case was also featured as part of the U.S. Attorneys’ investigation into abuse and poor conditions at the Cook County Jail.
Illegal Search and Seizure of a Home
J.B. v. Village of Maywood (2006) - In the Federal Northern District of Illinois. The clients, a husband, wife, and their three children, alleged in their lawsuit that several Maywood police officers entered their home without a warrant or any other lawful justification seeking a suspect in the murder of a Maywood police officer. A confidentiality agreement prevents us from discussing the terms of the settlement, but it was settled to the satisfaction of our clients.
Excessive Force
B.W. v. City of Chicago (2006) - In the Federal Northern District of Illinois. The client alleged he was beaten by Chicago police officers, and suffered a broken jaw. The firm settled the case with the City of Chicago for $90,000.00.
Excessive Force
S.H. v. Cook County (2005) - In the Federal Northern District of Illinois. The client, a pre-trial detainee at Cook County Jail, was kicked in the genitals by a Cook County Sheriff's officer, and eventually suffered a ruptured testicle. The firm settled the case with the County for $350,000.00.
Excessive Force/False Arrest/Malicious Prosecution
F.W., et. al. v. Town of Cicero (2004) - In the Federal Northern District of Illinois. The client was beaten and charged with possession of a controlled substance. The firm obtained a not guilty on behalf of the client in criminal court, and then sued the arresting officers in federal court. A confidentiality agreement prevents us from disclosing the amount of the settlement, but it was settled to the satisfaction of our client. A Cicero police sergeant who the client alleged beat him during the incident was eventually convicted of abusing the civil rights of another of the firm's client, H.M., and the sergeant was sentenced to federal prison for five years (see below).
Excessive Force
H.M., et. al. v. Town of Cicero (2004) - In the Federal Northern District of Illinois. The client alleged he was beaten by a Cicero police sergeant during a traffic stop in which he was videotaping the alleged beating of another woman by this same officer. A confidentiality agreement prevents us from disclosing the terms of the settlement, but it was settled to the satisfaction of our client. The Cicero police sergeant who the client alleged beat him during the incident was eventually convicted of abusing the civil rights of our client, H.M., and the sergeant was sentenced to federal prison for five years.
Coerced Confession/Malicious Prosecution
M.B. v. City of Chicago (2003) - In the Federal Northern District of Illinois. The client was charged in 1987 with first-degree murder, kidnapping and rape, along with three other Chicago youths. The client signed a written confession, and took a plea bargain to testify for the State. In exchange for his plea and testimony, the client spent six years in prison. In 2001, after DNA testing cleared all four youths of the crime, the charges were dismissed, and his plea was vacated. The State gave the client $120,000.00 as compensation. The firm obtained an additional $900,000.00 settlement from the City of Chicago.
Excessive Force
D.F. v. Village of Hanover Park (2002) - In the Federal Northern District of Illinois. Our client, a 57-year-old woman with scoliosis, alleged in her lawsuit that she was pulled over by police, and falsely accused of driving under the influence of alcohol, even though her Breathalyzer result was later determined to be a 0.0. During the arrest, she was taken to the ground by a male police officer, causing her serious injuries. A confidentiality agreement prevents us from discussing the terms of the settlement, but it was settled to the satisfaction of our client.
