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    CHICAGO, Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Winston & Strawn LLP received a
 significant unanimous victory today from the United States Court of Appeals
 for the Seventh Circuit in its pro bono representation of Benjamin Pruitt
 in his case against several employees of the Pontiac Correctional Center.
 The Seventh Circuit issued a rare en banc ruling on the sole issue on the
 appeal -- the District Court's denial of Pruitt's motions for appointment
 of counsel.
     (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070820/AQM151LOGO)
     Pruitt filed four motions with the District Court asking for counsel to
 be appointed to him. The District Court ruled that the case was not "so
 complex or intricate that a trained attorney is necessary." Proceeding pro
 se (without counsel) Pruitt, who was tested to have the educational level
 of a sixth grader, lost the jury trial. The Seventh Circuit ruled that the
 District Court erred in only considering the complexity of the case, and
 not also considering Pruitt's competency to litigate his own claims.
     "We're thrilled with the Circuit Court's decision, and will be
 representing Mr. Pruitt in his trial," said Winston & Strawn partner Peter
 McCabe, who led the Winston effort. William Ferranti, a third-year
 associate, argued the case before the Seventh Circuit.
     Winston & Strawn LLP is an international commercial law firm with more
 than 900 attorneys in nine offices. More than 150 years old, the firm has a
 proud tradition of professional excellence and dedicated client service, a
 diverse as well as collegial culture, and a commitment to pro bono
 representation. http://www.winston.com
 
 

SOURCE Winston & Strawn LLP