Latest 2 Cases: State v. Chambers (Criminal Law), Ritter v. Farrow (Trademark)

What Accounts for the Increase in Law School Applications This Year?

VIKRAM DAVID AMAR

Illinois Law dean Vikram David Amar comments on the apparent increase in the number of law school applications this year and offers some thoughts as to the reasons behind the trend. Dean Amar suggests that increased job opportunities and heightened social awareness might be behind the higher numbers of applications.

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State v. Chambers

Docket: 2019AP000411-CR

Opinion Date: February 23, 2021

Judge: Annette Kingsland Ziegler

Areas of Law: Criminal Law

The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the court of appeals affirming the circuit court's judgment of conviction and order denying Defendant's postconviction motion, holding that Defendant's counsel never conceded Defendant's guilt during closing arguments. A jury found Defendant guilty of second-degree reckless homicide with a dangerous weapon, as a party to a crime, and possession of a firearm by a person adjudicated delinquent for a felony. After Defendant was convicted, the United States Supreme Court decided McCoy v. Louisiana, 138 S. Ct. 1500 (2018). Seeking to apply McCoy to his case, Defendant filed a motion for postconviction relief, arguing that trial counsel conceded his guilt during closing arguments. The circuit court denied relief. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that Defendant's McCoy argument failed because defense counsel did not concede Defendant's guilt during closing arguments.

Ritter v. Farrow

Docket: 2018AP001518

Opinion Date: February 23, 2021

Judge: Karofsky

Areas of Law: Trademark

In this case disputing the ownership of a pair of red bib overalls with a handkerchief hanging out the back pocket and the ownership of the names "Bibs Resort" and "Bibs" the Supreme Court reversed the summary judgment in favor of Ted and Carolyn Ritter and Bibs Resort Condominium, Inc. (the Association), holding that the circuit court did not apply the well-settled principles surrounding trademarks and trade names. Tony and Arlyce Farrow claimed they assumed ownership of the Bibs Resort marks when they purchased the Ritters' resort management business and that the Ritters subsequently infringed on those marks. The circuit court granted summary judgment in favor of the Ritters and the Association. The court of appeals affirmed. The Supreme Court reversed, holding that, as a matter of law, the Farrows became the exclusive owner of the Bibs Resort marks when they purchased the resort management business from the Ritters.