Fire Insurance Exchange v. Bell Ex Rel. Bell

On Petition To Transfer

DICKSON, Justice.

The principal issue in this case is whether, and to what extent, a party who is represented by counsel has the right to rely on a representation by opposing counsel during settlement negotiations. In this interlocutory appeal, the defendant-appellants, Fire Insurance Exchange, Illinois Farmers Insurance Company, and Farmers Group, Inc., d/b/a Farmers Underwriters Association (Farmers); the law firm of Ice Miller Dona-dio & Ryan (Ice Miller); and Phillip R. Scal-etta (Scaletta), a partner in Ice Miller, are appealing the trial court's denial of their…