FEB. 25-MARCH 10, 2015
A legislative proposal introduced this session would allow Indiana businesses to battle patent trolls in state courts. The cost of a legal education has skyrocketed over the last decade, leading to the creation of an American Bar Association task force on the subject. A Merrillville attorney accused of theft from clients and a former associate – who was suspended by the Indiana Supreme Court recently – has yet to be criminally charged.
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Bill would let Indiana businesses battle patent trolls in state courts
A bill, authored by Bedford Republican Rep. Eric Koch, would prohibit a person from asserting a bad-faith claim of patent infringement and would enable the Indiana business accused of infringing to seek remedy in state court.
Read MoreRare emergency suspension issued by Supreme Court
Merrillville attorney Robert E. Stochel spent a few nights in jail after a judge found him in contempt for his evasiveness, but so far he’s avoided criminal charges despite allegedly stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from clients and a former associate.
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IU McKinney observers illuminate murky proceedings in Gitmo trials
The U.S. Military Commission Observation Project overseen by Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law is continuing to send individuals to watch and report on the accused terrorists’ trials being held at Guantanamo Bay. Blog posts and articles from the observers chronicle the glacial pace of the proceedings, the unexpected courtroom twists and the nagging constitutional questions.
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Court of Appeals finds no standing post-adoption, suggests legislative remedy
An Indiana appeals court empathized with a grandmother’s situation, but it ruled the law gave the court no choice but to strip her of visitation with her granddaughter, whose mother – the grandmother’s daughter – had died.
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Amended complaint: Marion County inmates held days after release ordered
Released inmates in Indianapolis are subjected to a “standard operating procedure” of re-arrest and being held behind bars – sometimes for days – after being acquitted, freed by a judge or posting bond, alleges an amended federal complaint filed against the Marion County Sheriff’s Department.
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Contingency fees still help to provide access to courts
Twenty-five years later, a plaintiff’s attorney says changes to statutes have impacted awards, but the system remains necessary.
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Rising cost of legal education sparked creation of ABA task force
At public law schools, the average tuition and fees across the country for in-state residents skyrocketed 123 percent between 2003 and 2013. Private law schools were marginally better, logging an increase of 64 percent, according to a 2014 analysis by Robert Kuehn, professor at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis.
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‘No relief’ for law school enrollment slump
After three down years for law school enrollment, Austen Parrish expected a rebound of applications and enrollment this year at Indiana University Maurer School of Law. But it isn’t happening.
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Hammerle On… ‘Still Alice,’ ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’
Bob Hammerle says Julianne Moore’s performance in “Still Alice” won an Oscar for a role you will never forget.
Read MoreStart Page: Get more out of your iPhone using these 3 tips
It seems to me that more lawyers are using iPhones. Almost all the attorneys in my office use an iPhone, and I see iPhones at depositions, hearings and client meetings.
Read MoreDTCI: Still learning after all these years in practice
The practice of law is still exciting and challenging for me, even as I approach my 34th year of practice.
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Federal judge stalls Obama’s executive action on immigration
A federal judge in South Texas has temporarily blocked President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration, giving a coalition of 26 states time to pursue a lawsuit that aims to permanently stop the orders.
Read MoreAttorney general sues county auditor accused of theft
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller is suing former Owen County Auditor Angie M. Lawson to recover more than $380,000 in embezzled taxpayer funds. Lawson also faces criminal charges stemming from the same theft of public funds.
Read MoreLawyers to lead annual March Against Hunger
The Indiana State Bar Association and the office of Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller will join with Feeding Indiana’s Hungry on Wednesday to kick off a monthlong effort to raise money and nonperishable donations for the state’s regional food banks.
Read MoreMedical malpractice bill killed in Senate
A proposal to allow clear medical malpractice claims to go directly to court rather than through medical review panels was defeated Monday in the Indiana Senate.
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Southern District applauds work of attorney volunteers
The 61 Indiana attorneys who provided pro bono hours in the Southern District of Indiana last year were recognized Thursday for their efforts during the second annual Pro Bono Appreciation Breakfast.
Read MoreIndiana same-sex couple files suit to get both names listed on birth certificate
A married lesbian couple filed a complaint in federal court charging Indiana is violating their constitutional rights by not listing both their names on their child’s birth certificate.
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Uninsured motorist action
A submitted trial report on Barden v. State Farm Fire and Casualty Insurance Co.
Read MoreIndiana Court Decisions – Feb. 4 to 17, 2015
Read recent appellate decisions from Indiana courts.
Read MoreDisciplinary ActionsBack to Top
Disciplinary Actions – 2/25/15
Read who’s been suspended or resigned recently from the Indiana bar.
Read MoreBar AssociationsBack to Top
Trimble: It’s Still The Right Thing To Do…Try It!
In 1979, when I joined the Indianapolis Bar Association as a law student, my mentor, Robert F. Wagner, told me that it was my duty as a lawyer to join the bar.
Read MoreIndyBar: Give your career a lift with The Bar Boost Series
There are many things law school can teach you. For everything else, there’s The Bar Boost Series.
Read MoreIndyBar: Five Ways to Strengthen Your iPad’s Security
Tablets have taken the legal world by storm. The question of whether a tablet can replace a lawyer’s PC is dependent upon the type of tablet involved, the technical proficiency of the attorney, the nature of their legal practice, and the back-office support available to them.
Read MoreIndyBar: Measure to Alter Selection of Judges Fails in Committee
On Wednesday, Feb. 18, Indianapolis Bar Association President John C. Trimble spoke before the Indiana Senate Judiciary Committee in opposition to Senate Joint Resolution 15, a bill which would have altered the selection process for appellate and Supreme Court judges. The IndyBar is pleased to report the measure failed in committee by a 4-6 vote.
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