'Larry Wins'? Apparently Not In Elmhurst Case

ELMHURST, IL – Larry appears not to have won this time.

The slogan for Chicago-based law firm Disparti Law Group is "Larry Wins," referring to its owner, Larry Disparti.

In its client's lawsuit against Elmhurst, the firm ultimately won a few thousand dollars. But it likely lost far more along the way.

On Monday, the Elmhurst City Council approved a settlement with Amanda Reid, who sued the police department. Her lawsuit arose from a background investigation for a city police officer's position, the city said.

The council didn't reveal the amount of the settlement.

In an interview Wednesday, Mayor Scott Levin said the city settled the 2021 lawsuit for $5,000. That was after a jury trial in which Elmhurst prevailed over Reid, represented by Disparti, according to the city.

Reid appealed. But the law firm later agreed to settle for $5,000, Levin said.

Under customary arrangements, the law firm would get a portion of the money, likely one-third. If that is the case, Reid likely received $3,300.

The Disparti Law Group, which has used its slogan "Larry Wins" on area billboards, has not returned emailed messages for comment since last week.

On its website, the law firm promises to charge no fees "unless we win your case."

"I've never seen a personal injury case that was done on an hourly basis," said Levin, himself an attorney. "It's almost standard that the firm gets one-third."

Given that the case went to jury trial, the mayor said, the Disparti firm likely spent more than $100,000, which was about what the city spent.

Levin said the city could not justify continuing to spend money on lawyers when the latest settlement request was $5,000.

"I'm very proud of our lawyers," Levin said. "They did a great job. It was a very aggressive case. And we stood by our guys," referring to the police department.

The lawsuit's other defendants were the Burbank Police Department, the Grundy County 911 Center and Bud Hicks, who has been the center's director.