Attorney Douglas B. Harper's Legal Cases

Appeals

Roberto Alamo v. Charlie Bliss, 864 F.3d 541 (7th Cir. 2017)

Jul 20, 2017

OUTCOME: Mr. Harper won a federal civil rights and employment discrimination appeal.

Initially represented by another law firm, a Chicago firefighter sued the City of Chicago for employment discrimination and civil rights violations that he suffered at work. The case was dismissed by t ... he United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. After the dismissal, the firefighter hired Mr. Harper to handle his appeal and Mr. Harper won the appeal, persuading the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit to reverse the dismissal and reinstate the firefighter's case.

Civil rights

David Fauntleroy v. Jon Burge, et. al., No. 11-cv-00118, United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Aug 03, 2012

OUTCOME: Mr. Harper won a $1.8 million settlement in a civil rights case.

After winning David Fauntleroy's release from prison where he was serving a life sentence, Mr. Harper represented him in a Section 1983 civil rights lawsuit against the City of Chicago, former Lieutena ... nt Commander Jon Burge, and detectives Raymond Madigan and Daniel McWeeny. In 2012, Mr. Fauntleroy settled the lawsuit for $1.8 million. By settling, he avoided the emotional cost of reliving the traumatic event of being coerced into giving the false confession which was the only evidence that resulted in his conviction.

Criminal defense

People v. David Fauntleroy, No. 83-CR-4979, Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois

Jan 09, 2009

OUTCOME: Mr. Harper won the release from prison of a man who was serving a life sentence for a crime he did not commit.

In 1983, David Fauntleroy was arrested for a murder he did not commit. Chicago police detectives working under Lieutenant Commander Jon Burge took Mr. Fauntleroy to an undeveloped, wooded area in the m ... iddle of the night, put a gun in his mouth, and told him he would say he committed the murder or they would kill him. He gave a false confession which caused him to be convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. Over 25 years later, in 2009, Mr. Harper won Mr. Fauntleroy's freedom in post conviction proceedings. The court vacated Mr. Fauntleroy's conviction, dismissed all charges against him, and ordered his immediate release from prison.

Civil rights

Mickey v. Dargis, No. 99-C-7281, United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Jul 28, 2004

OUTCOME: Mr. Harper won a civil rights jury trial in a jail-beating case, and the case settled for $90,000 after trial.

In 1998, Clynell Mickey was an inmate at the Cook County Jail. Guards led by Sgt. Liutauras Dargis entered his cell to move him to a different cell. When Mr. Mickey asked them to let him pack his belon ... gings, the guards attacked him — punching, kicking, and hitting his head off the concrete floor. Years later, Mr. Harper represented Mr. Mickey in a Section 1983 lawsuit and won a jury verdict against the guards. The case settled after trial for $90,000.00.

Douglas B. Harper's Legal Cases (4)

Roberto Alamo v. Charlie Bliss, 864 F.3d 541 (7th Cir. 2017)

David Fauntleroy v. Jon Burge, et. al., No. 11-cv-00118, United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois

People v. David Fauntleroy, No. 83-CR-4979, Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois

Mickey v. Dargis, No. 99-C-7281, United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois