Successful litigation improves health and therapy treatment of civilly-detained individual, and secures greater protection of his constitutional rights

Client(s) Dennis Elliott

Plaintiff, Dennis Elliott, initiated several actions based on the treatment he had been subject to as a person civilly-committed in a treatment and detention facility under the Illinois Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act. Mr. Elliott's claims included allegations based on violations of his constitutional rights to access the courts and equal protection, and he alleged these claims against various defendants, including the Illinois Department of Human Services and the companies providing Mr. Elliott's healthcare and therapy services. Several of these actions were consolidated in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, before the Honorable Judge Matthew Kennelly. Judge Kennelly appointed Jones Day partner Paula Render to represent Mr. Elliott.

Paula Render, with associates Morgan Hirst and Kelly Marino, litigated on behalf of Mr. Elliott for approximately a year and a half until he was able to reach favorable settlements with the last of the defendants in July of 2009. This litigation included early rounds of discovery and successful defense against a motion to dismiss. Based on these litigation efforts, Judge Kennelly suggested that he might nominate Mr. Elliott's Jones Day legal team for a pro bono award.

Elliott v. Budz, Case No. 06-0296, et al.