By Richard Luthmann
A recent ruling in the Girard family’s high-stakes legal battle has brought fresh scrutiny to Chicago's Cook County Family Court. On October 18, 2024, the court struck down Marissa Girard’s motion for Substitution of Judge (SOJ) as a matter of right, a move that has sparked concerns about judicial fairness and potential corruption.
Marissa, the stepmother to Kenton Girard’s twin daughters, had filed the SOJ motion two days before a critical hearing, fully complying with the legal requirements under Illinois statute. Yet, the court denied her motion on procedural grounds, citing her absence from the courtroom despite her documented need for ADA accommodations due to health concerns.
The ruling has added fuel to allegations that Beermann LLP, the law firm representing the twins’ biological mother, Jane Girard, is using its considerable influence to manipulate court proceedings in their favor.
At the center of these allegations are claims of judicial bias, procedural manipulation, and broader accusations of corruption involving Beermann LLP and key Cook County judges.
A Controversial SOJ Denial Amid ADA Concerns
Marissa Girard’s motion for Substitution of Judge under Illinois law 735 ILCS 5/2-1001(a)(2) met all statutory requirements. Illinois law allows for one substitution of judge as a matter of right. The legal caveat is that the motion must be presented before the trial or hearing begins and before the presiding judge has ruled on any substantial issues.
Marissa submitted her SOJ motion on October 16, 2024, two days before the Case Management Conference. However, the court rejected her motion because Marissa did not appear in person at the hearing. She couldn’t because of medical issues, but Judge Rossana P. Fernandez didn’t care.
The court decision stands in stark contrast to the statute, which does not require the requesting party’s physical presence for the SOJ to be granted. Marissa’s absence was due to her physical and mental health conditions, which she had documented in advance, requesting to appear remotely under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Court personnel reportedly ignored Marissa’s ADA request, refusing her accommodation to appear via Zoom. Instead, they allegedly made dismissive remarks about her absence, saying that sheriffs would be present in the courtroom—comments Marissa interprets as intimidation.
The denial of her SOJ motion on these grounds has drawn sharp criticism, as it violates Illinois state law and federal ADA protections.
Beermann LLP: ‘They Are Running Out the Clock’
Beermann LLP, representing Jane Girard, has been quick to label the SOJ motion as nothing more than a delay tactic. According to Beermann attorney Enrico Mirabelli, Kenton Girard and Marissa are attempting to “run out the clock” until Kenton’s twin daughters, Gwen and Grace, turn 17.
The girls, who are now 16, will reach the age of majority in February 2025, at which point the court will lose jurisdiction over the ongoing custody dispute.
The firm argues that Kenton and Marissa are using procedural moves to prolong the case, a claim that has been met with skepticism given the broader accusations against Beermann LLP itself.
In their filings, Beermann LLP paints the Girards as attempting to “game” the system, but the context of the broader case suggests deeper issues of power and influence at play.
A Law Firm Under Fire: Corruption Allegations Against Beermann LLP
Beermann LLP, led by managing partner John D’Arco, has been mired in controversy. Numerous allegations of corruption surround its involvement in high-profile family law cases. D’Arco himself has faced criticism for allegedly wielding his political connections to influence judicial outcomes in Cook County.
His family’s legacy in Illinois politics is shadowed by prior scandals, including a bribery scandal involving his father, John D’Arco Jr., a former state senator.
The firm’s role extends beyond typical legal representation in the Girard case. Kenton and Marissa Girard have filed a federal civil lawsuit accusing Beermann LLP of bribing judges, including former presiding Judge Renee Goldfarb, to secure favorable rulings in Jane Girard’s favor. The lawsuit claims that Beermann LLP has been at the heart of a corruption scheme in Cook County’s family courts, manipulating court appointments and rulings through illicit payments and political connections.
Judge Goldfarb recused herself from the case shortly after being named in the federal suit, further raising suspicions about Beermann LLP’s influence over the courts. The lawsuit also accuses the firm of bribing Glencoe Detective Ryan McInerney to dismiss child sex abuse allegations brought by Gwen and Grace against their mother, Jane Girard.
Judicial and Legal System Manipulation
At the core of the Girard family’s claims is the belief that Beermann LLP, with its deep connections and financial resources, has transformed what should have been a straightforward custody battle into a prolonged, financially draining ordeal. The firm’s alleged strategy involves filing excessive motions, inflating legal fees, and manipulating procedural rules to pressure Kenton and Marissa into compliance or exhaustion.
The firm’s tactics extend beyond the courtroom. Beermann LLP is accused of using a sham “Black Lives Matter” scholarship, created under the auspices of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML-IL), to conceal bribes paid to judges. This scholarship, which on the surface aims to support diversity in the legal profession, is alleged to have been a front for clandestine meetings and financial exchanges designed to influence court rulings.
The Broader Impact on the Girard Family
As the Girards continue their legal battle, they are fighting for custody of Gwen and Grace and transparency and justice within a system they believe is compromised. Kenton Girard, representing himself in court, has repeatedly voiced concerns that the case has been manipulated to enrich legal professionals at the expense of his daughters’ well-being.
Gwen and Grace have publicly pleaded for the court battle to end, stating that the ongoing litigation has caused immense emotional strain and disrupted their lives.
The next phase of the Girard case is set for trial in February 2025, just one month before the twins turn 18. The clock is ticking, and the question remains whether the legal system can deliver a fair trial amid the swirling accusations of corruption, bribery, and judicial manipulation.
“We’re fighting for more than just our family,” Kenton Girard has said. “We’re fighting to expose the truth and bring justice to a system that seems more interested in profits than in doing what’s right for our children.”
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