A recent issue of IDC Quarterly (the professional journal of the Illinois Defense Counsel) included regular columns by HeplerBroom attorneys Irina Dmitrieva, James DuChateau, and Kelly Libbra. (All three attorneys are partners with the firm.)

In her premier Appellate Practice column, Dmitrieva reviewed First District Appellate Court rulings on challenging injunctions mid-litigation. She cautions attorneys to pay close attention to whether an injunction is temporary or permanent as deadlines for appeal vary, and a missed deadline could result in a permanent loss of the right to appeal.

In his Property Insurance Law column, DuChateau examined a case of first impression in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The question before the court had been whether a policyholder could invoke the appraisal process while the carrier’s coverage investigation of the loss remained open.

In her Toxic Tort column, Libbra examined the Seventh Circuit Court’s ruling in Johnson v. Edward Orton, Jr., Ceramic Foundation in which the court held the defendant manufacturer to a heightened duty to warn associated with the packaging material, even though the defendant unquestionably took no role in manufacturing the packaging material.

Dmitrieva is a highly experienced appellate litigator with more than 20 years of success in federal and state appellate courts representing both private clients and governmental entities. Prior to joining HeplerBroom, she served as the sole appellate attorney for the Chicago Transit Authority (one of the largest mass transit companies in the United States).

DuChateau concentrates his practice exclusively on insurance coverage, with an emphasis on first-party property for both commercial and personal lines. He’s been named an Illinois Super Lawyer and an Emerging Lawyer by Illinois Leading Lawyers. He was previously honored as the Legal Assistance Foundation’s Pro Bono Volunteer of the Year and as IDC’s Volunteer of the Year.

Libbra defends a diverse range of companies—from Fortune 500 companies to small, local businesses—against premises and product litigation claims. She uses her oral and written advocacy skills to assist product manufacturers, premises owners, suppliers, and employers in navigating complex multi-party toxic tort cases. She is the Chair of the Illinois Defense Counsel’s Toxic Tort Committee.