Firm News

An appellate court decision granting enhanced pension benefits to certain widows of deceased Chicago firefighters without requiring them to pay any corresponding contribution is contrary to the Illinois Pension Code and threatens the future viability… Read More

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) grants Illinois citizens access to all public records. But does it grant the same right to those who live outside Illinois? That’s a question for Illinois public bodies after the U.S.… Read More

Most trustees who serve on Illinois public pension boards know they have four duties: the duty of loyalty; the duty to follow the “prudent man standard”; the duty to diversify plan assets; and the duty to follow the Pension Code. But what… Read More

CHICAGO _ Mary Patricia Burns, president of Burke Burns & Pinelli, Ltd., will be among the guest panelists at the fourth annual The Future of Corporate Reform 2012 Public Funds Forum to be held September 4-6 in Park City, Utah. Ms. Burns will par… Read More

Burke Burns & Pinelli, Ltd. is pleased to announce that Madeleine S. Podesta and Larisa L. Elizondo have recently joined our practice as associate attorneys. Ms. Podesta joins the firm after working in private practice, where she gained experienc… Read More

BBP associate Christopher J. Hales has been named a 2012 “Rising Star” by Illinois Super Lawyers magazine. Hales, 34, earned recognition in the magazine’s annual listing of outstanding lawyers 40 years old and younger, or who have b… Read More

A firefighter-turned-arsonist’s hopes of regaining the pension denied him by the Chicago firefighters pension fund suffered a fatal blow on Sept. 28 when the Illinois Supreme Court rejected his petition for a hearing on the matter. The Court… Read More

CHICAGO _ The Statute of Frauds is one of the oldest principles in jurisprudence, dating back to the mid-1600s in England. Even today in the 21st century, it remains a cornerstone of American contract law with all 50 states having some version of it… Read More