Joel Bertocchi Discusses Effect of Justice Antonin Scalia's Death on U.S. Supreme Court's Decision to Hear Rod Blagojevich Criminal Appeal

February 18, 2016

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP partner Joel Bertocchi was interviewed for a Fox32 Chicago story on the status of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court of his conviction on several corruption charges. The recent death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia may have changed the odds of the high court taking up the appeal. Mr. Bertocchi noted that Justice Scalia "was very strong on enforcing the rights of criminal defendants" and that "the Blagojevich petition would have benefited from that." So, he said, "I think there's a good argument to be made that [Justice Scalia's death] was really a loss for [Mr. Blagojevich]."

Mr. Bertocchi — leader of Hinshaw's Appellate Practice, which achieved a Tier 1 national ranking in the 2015 and 2016 editions of U.S. News – Best Lawyers' "Best Law Firms" — is an experienced civil, criminal and appellate litigator. He has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney investigating and prosecuting federal criminal cases, and also as Illinois Solicitor General. Mr. Bertocchi has litigated in courts ranging from the trial level to the U.S. Supreme Court.

To view the full piece "Would a President Trump Commute the Sentence of Rod Blagojevich?," visit the Fox32 Chicago website.

Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is a U.S. based law firm with offices nationwide. The firm's national reputation spans the insurance industry, the financial services sector, and other highly regulated industries. Hinshaw also serves as counsel to the professional services sector, and provides business advisory and transactional services to clients of all sizes.