Daniel Alholm, a former staff member at the firm founded by ex-Chicago Alderman Edward Vrdolyak, filed the putative class action in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Vrdolyak Law Group argued the claims were untimely and sought to eliminate supplemental jurisdiction over state law claims. The court rejected both positions.
Attorneys should monitor this case closely. The ruling clears a significant hurdle for a class action involving federal wiretapping statutes against a prominent Chicago firm, exposing Vrdolyak Law Group to substantial liability and broad discovery into its recording practices. The May 18 status hearing will signal whether settlement discussions are progressing or whether the parties are headed toward trial.