Burke Warren Serves as Pro Bono Counsel in Federal Lawsuit Charging Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation with Racial Discrimination

Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and pro bono counsel Burke, Warren, MacKay & Serritella, P.C. filed April 20, 2022, a federal lawsuit in the Northern District of Illinois against Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation and two of its affiliated doctors. The lawsuit alleges that they discriminated against Plaintiff Jillian Robinson on the basis of her race, and violated her constitutional rights during the course of her son J.R.’s unnecessary hospitalization. Robinson took 10-month-old J.R. to the emergency room at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn (ACMC) in April of last year, concerned about a mark that had developed on his outer ear. ACMC is alleged to have subjected J.R. to numerous medically unnecessary and invasive examinations, which revealed no evidence of abuse or neglect, but ultimately indicated a benign “deep hemangioma”—a birthmark. Despite this fact, the DCFS caseworker accepted the false narrative of child abuse set in motion and advanced by ACMC and its doctors. DCFS then required Robinson to either place J.R. in temporary foster care or comply with a “safety plan” that required her and J.R. to move out of their home and live under the constant supervision of a family member vetted by DCFS.

Burke Warren attorneys Alex Marks, Shana Shifrin, Blake Roter and Josh Cauhorn serve as pro bono counsel on this case. View details (including the Complaint) at https://www.clccrul.org/media-press-1/2022/4/21/83532t9v48bg50gqkp7j9812sx347v.

Burke Warren recognizes that certain segments of society cannot afford and do not have access to competent legal representation. Accordingly, the Firm has made a strong commitment to providing pro bono legal services for indigent and at-need clients. Our attorneys are strongly encouraged to perform pro bono work. The Firm is also a yearly leader in the Chicago Bar Foundation’s "Investing in Justice" campaign, which has raised more than $15 million toward grants for pro bono agencies in the Chicagoland area. Burke Warren’s active pro bono docket includes providing free legal services in all of its practice areas, ranging from assisting not-for-profits becoming incorporated to securing rights via contested litigation for those most vulnerable. The Firm has also formed partnerships with numerous legal aid agencies, assisting each in facilitating its stated goals. Several attorneys have received awards for their extensive pro bono service. 

Chicago Lawyers’ Committee

Chicago Lawyers’ Committee is a group of civil rights lawyers and advocates working to secure racial equity and economic opportunity for all since 1969. We provide legal representation through partnerships with the private bar, and we collaborate with grassroots organizations and other advocacy groups to implement community-based solutions that advance civil rights. https://www.clccrul.org/