Bridget Wholey and Co-Counsel from Sidley Austin Achieve Victory in Seventh Circuit Pro Bono Case
On October 9, 2025, the Seventh Circuit vacated a decision dismissing Plaintiff James Breyley’s claims against prison employees for deliberate indifference to his health and safety. Goldman Ismail associate Bridget Wholey served as Court-appointed counsel for Mr. Breyley, along with counsel from Sidley Austin. Bridget argued the case before the Seventh Circuit in February of 2024.
In late 2016, an inmate at New Lisbon Correctional Facility physically attacked Mr. Breyley. Following the attack, he sued staff members in federal court for failing to protect him from the attack and for refusing to provide him with necessary medical treatment for his resulting injuries. The District Court granted defendants’ motion for summary judgment, reasoning that Mr. Breyley failed to exhaust administrative remedies prior to filing suit, as required by the Prison Litigation Reform Act.
Bridget and co-counsel argued that the District Court erred by dismissing Mr. Breyley’s claims without holding an evidentiary hearing to resolve disputed issues of fact. The Seventh Circuit agreed and remanded the case for further proceedings. In the opinion, the Court thanked Bridget and co-counsel “for their able service to Breyley on appeal.”