Firm Highlights - Ottosen DiNolfo Hasenbalg & Castaldo, Ltd

Ottosen DiNolfo Hasenbalg & Castaldo, Ltd. would like to congratulate Dominick Lanzito for his recent jury trial victory in the case of Elliott v. Garre/ts, et al. 16-cv-2749, pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. In that matter the plaintiff alleged that he was the victim of excessive force at the hands of the officer. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the officer in less than 30 minutes, vindicating the officer from the salacious allegations made by plaintiff.

We are pleased to share Quinn Crowley’s recent defense victory in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The Court granted our retailer client’s motion for summary judgment in a negligence and premises liability action, holding that the plaintiff failed to present sufficient evidence to establish actual or constructive notice of an alleged hazardous condition. The Court also rejected the plaintiff’s argument that an entrance mat was negligently placed. This result underscores the value of early case evaluation, thorough factual development, and targeted dispositive motion practice. Notably, this decision marks our 54th win on dispositive motions for this retailer client, reflecting a sustained record of success in efficiently resolving claims before trial.

We are also pleased to announce that Carolyn Welch Clifford has been appointed to the Executive Board of the National Association of Public Pension Attorneys (NAPPA). Carolyn’s appointment reflects her longstanding commitment to public pension law and her continued leadership within the public pension legal community. We are proud to see her serve in this important role and congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition.

We are proud to share that Meganne Trela of Ottosen DiNolfo Hasenbalg & Castaldo was a panelist at the National Association of Public Pension Attorneys (NAPPA) June 2026 Legal Education Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on “Public Safety Disability: An Overview of Current Trends and Hot Topics.” Meganne’s panel, which included chief officers from Michigan fire departments, offered a timely and practical look at disability benefits for police officers and firefighters. The panel addressed important workforce management considerations, including recruitment and retention, preemployment screening, fitness and wellness initiatives, documentation, and member education. The session closed with a discussion of emerging issues affecting public safety personnel, including PFAS exposure from turnout gear and firefighting foams, increased firefighter cancer risks, wildfire-related health hazards, and PTSD.

Please join all of us at Ottosen DiNolfo Hasenbalg & Castaldo, Ltd. in congratulating Brian Johnston, our law clerk since 2023, on being sworn into the Illinois State Bar. We’re proud of the hard work and dedication that brought Brian to this moment, and we’re excited to see the impact he’ll continue to make for our clients and our team in this next chapter. Congratulations, Brian!