CHICAGO — A division of the city's Law Department, facing heat for misconduct in a police shooting death case, will be independently reviewed after a judge ruled that a city lawyer hid evidence.
The department's Federal Civil Rights Litigation division, which defends the city and police in federal civil cases, and its practices will be reviewed, according to the city. All attorneys and paralegals in the Law Department will get "enhanced" ethics training. The Federal Civil Rights Litigation division alone has 45 lawyers and staff members.
The review comes after a judge ruled that Jordan Marsh, a top attorney for the city, intentionally hid evidence from the attorneys for the Darius Pinex family as they pursued a wrongful death lawsuit. Pinex was shot and killed by police in 2011.
Marsh has resigned.
“We have zero tolerance for any action that undermines the trust of the residents we serve," said the city's Corporation Counsel Steve Patton, who runs the Law Department. "Working with respected experts in the field, we are taking immediate action to ensure that city attorneys never again repeat the violations that were made in the Pinex case and maintain the highest professional standards going forward.”
Dan Webb, a partner of law firm Winston & Strawn, will lead the review and recommend changes. Webb also will tell the city's inspector general if the review uncovers evidence of past or ongoing misconduct, according to the city. Webb will be helped by lawyer Robert Michaels.
Winston & Strawn will cost $295 per hour, according to the city.
The Law Department also will develop yearlong ethics training for all employees with the help of Mary Robinson, former head of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. The work will be free.
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