In This Issue of Indiana Lawyer

MAY 6-19, 2015

The Mediation Assistance Program in the Southern District of Indiana, which appoints pro bono counsel to help litigants settle cases, setttled 28 out the 43 cases MAP counsel worked on in 2013. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals isn't sure why the Supreme Court of the United States sent the Notre Dame contraception mandate challenge back to the lower court for another look. Nearly 25 years after graduating law school, four IU McKinney alumns reflect on their careers.

Top StoriesBack to Top

Capstone of criminal code reform put in place during 2015 session

The bill establishing the funding and the mechanism to distribute the dollars needed for Indiana’s new criminal code reform had a bumpy ride through the Statehouse. But in the final hours of the 2015 legislative session, lawmakers approved language that ensured the money would be funneled through local programs and projects designed to reduce recidivism and ease overcrowding in Indiana’s prisons.

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Parents of autistic children gird for showdown with Anthem

A showdown is brewing over autism therapy in Indiana. After an Elkhart couple with an autistic son sued Indianapolis-based health insurer Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in April, autism families around the state have started a campaign to get Anthem to change its policy for covering therapy for school-age children.

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Veering from the plan

Nearly 25 years since graduating, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law alums reflect on their careers and the value of their law degrees.

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Do-over expected to bring same result in contraception case

In a second round of oral arguments regarding the University of Notre Dame’s challenge to the Affordable Care Act’s contraception mandate, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals not only remained dubious of the school’s assertions but also seemed perplexed as to why the case came back to the court.

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Jury is out on Indiana Tax Court

The Indiana Supreme Court on April 20 appointed a task force to study the work volume, operations and performance of Indiana’s Tax Court, created in 1986 by the Legislature to remove the intricate tax cases from state trial courts.

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FocusBack to Top

Neutral Corner: Admitting mediation communications in bad-faith actions

Are statements, offers and demands made during a mediation admissible in a bad-faith case? This issue is presently pending before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and is being watched by many in the mediation community with the hope it will clarify to what extent exceptions will continue to be created to the mediation confidentiality statutes.

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Johnson County ADR program sees uptick in caseload

Every day, a program in Franklin works with families struggling with divorce, custody battles and child support disputes. The goal is to help resolve arguments, get cases through the court system faster, and help families move on.

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OpinionBack to Top

Technology Untangled: Remember this useful tip for fixing a computer

There is always so much new information to learn and absorb when utilizing and maintaining your computer. Sometimes, though, you can forget about some of the really good things you already know (or knew). After digging deep into a recent computer problem that appeared to be a major issue, I remembered to try an easy fix.

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In BriefBack to Top

SEC: Indy-based Veros’ farm loans defrauded 80 of $15 million

The Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a federal lawsuit against Indianapolis-based Veros Partners Inc. and multiple related co-defendants. The SEC alleges the financial advisers defrauded 80 farm-loan investors of $15 million in 2013 and 2014, using those proceeds to repay earlier investors.

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Special SBack to Top

Disciplinary ActionsBack to Top

Bar AssociationsBack to Top

DTCI: Defending parallel class actions

When tasked with defending parallel class actions in state and federal courts, it will likely be defense counsel’s instinct to concentrate efforts on resolving the nationwide class action.

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IndyBar: More than the Law: Upcoming Events Feature Co-Sponsorship with Local Organizations

The IndyBar has long served as a connection between lawyers, judges, students and paralegals in the legal profession. Several bar sections and divisions are taking connection that a step further by providing avenues for members to meet and greet professionals from other strong local organizations—fostering fun social experiences and opportunities to build a strong network for potential business.

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