This session will explore recent developments Fourth Amendment litigation in civil rights cases. Specific topics include (1) litigation of malicious prosecution claims following the Supreme Court's definitive recognition of such claims in Thompson v. Clark and again in 2024 in Chiaverini v. City of Napoleon; and (2) how litigation of police violence claims may proceed after Torres v. Madrid (2021) and the Court's expected decision in Barnes v. Felix, argued in January 2025, concerning the breadth of relevant inquiry for assessing whether an act of police violence is unreasonable under the Fourth Amendment.
Anthony Becknek joined Klein, Thorpe and Jenkins Ltd. in 2019 after significant roles in both the city of Chicago’s government and as a Senior Associate Litigation Attorney at a Chicago-area law firm. Anthony has extensive experience handling a wide array of complex litigation matters and internal and external investigations for government entities and municipalities.
Anthony concentrates his practice on representing a wide array of municipal entities and their employees from pre-litigation matters through trial and appeal in federal and state courts regarding alleged police misconduct, constitutional and civil rights, torts, personal injury, class action, employment and other complex and municipal litigation matters.
In addition, Anthony also represents municipalities and their Police and Fire Command Staff in administrative litigation, such as the investigation and discipline of police and fire officials and employees. He conducts internal investigations, interrogates those charged or alleged to have committed administrative misconduct and conducts arbitrations and hearings before Police and Fire Boards related to administrative discipline, including potential termination.
Anthony is an impassioned litigator who dedicates much of his practice to representing first responders and municipal employees and leadership. He is honored to represent, and at times investigate, those who protect and serve our communities.
Threading the Needle: Litigating Section 1983 Cases against Municipalities
Original Program Date: 04/10/2025 |