Beermann LLP Accused of Using Legal Maneuvers to Gain Advantage as Federal Corruption Allegations Loom
By Richard Luthmann
A recent ruling in the Girard family’s high-stakes legal battle has brought fresh scrutiny to Chicago’s Cook County Family Court. On October 18, 2024, the court struck down Marissa Girard’s motion for Substitution of Judge (SOJ) as a matter of right, a move that has sparked concerns about judicial fairness and potential corruption.
Marissa, the stepmother to Kenton Girard’s twin daughters, had filed the SOJ motion two days before a critical hearing, fully complying with the legal requirements under Illinois statute. Yet, the court denied her motion on procedural grounds, citing her absence from the courtroom despite her documented need for ADA accommodations due to health concerns.
The ruling has added fuel to allegations that Beermann LLP, the law firm representing the twins’ biological mother, Jane Girard, is using its considerable influence to manipulate court proceedings in their favor.