Federal Bar Update: Magistrate Judge Pryor makes impact
Since taking the bench in March, Magistrate Judge Doris Pryor has been immersed in the work of the court.
John Maley
Articles
Federal Bar Update: A primer on intervention as of right by non-parties
Intervention — Rule 24 allows a non-party to intervene in a pending action as of right in limited circumstances, either as of right or permissively.
Federal Bar Update: Rule changes impact authentication
Effective Dec. 1, several federal rule changes took effect. Fortunately, this batch of amendments was modest.
Federal Bar Update: Revisions to SD Indiana case management plans
The Southern District of Indiana made modest changes to its Uniform Case Management Plans, both the general plan and the patent litigation plan, effective Nov. 1.
Federal Bar Update: Jurisdiction, jurisdiction, jurisdiction
A recent opinion in which Chief Judge Diane Wood issued a published order addressing jurisdictional statements on appeal is a must-read for anyone handling 7th Circuit appeals.
Federal Bar Update: Magistrate Judge LaRue’s opinions have longstanding value
As this column’s focus is always federal civil procedure and practice, Magistrate Judge Denise LaRue’s contributions in this realm are significant, particularly considering her tenure was cut so short by her early passing.
Federal Bar Update: Northern District order changes judicial assignments
The Northern District of Indiana has implemented new protocols for assignment of cases to judges, both for certain pending cases and for newly filed cases.
Federal Bar Update: Motions to reconsider; 7th Circuit conference in Indy
Judge Robert L. Miller recently addressed a motion to reconsider a ruling denying in part a defense motion for summary judgment; the opinion provides good guidance on whether and when such motions are appropriate.
Maley: First things first: jurisdiction, jurisdiction, jurisdiction
As the year begins, it is appropriate to get back to the basics. Subject matter jurisdiction is the starting point in every case in federal court, scrutinized from the outset by the district court and then the 7th Circuit. Yet in opinion after opinion common errors in complaints or removal notices are noted by these courts, particularly in diversity jurisdiction cases.
Federal Bar Update: Rule amendments take effect Dec. 1
As of Dec. 1, several amendments take effect in federal civil and appellate practice.
Federal Bar Update: Show up and pay attention to court matters
In the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, from time to time the federal bench has found it necessary to comment on deficient practitioner performance. A recent example also serves as a reminder of some basic principles in this age of phone conferences.
Federal Bar Update: Southern District’s local rule on indigent appointments
Although referred to by some as the “mandatory pro bono rule,” in fact the rule is entitled “Representation of Indigent Litigants,” and is multi-faceted.
Federal Bar Update: Southern District’s proposed local rule on court appointments
As an active participant in drafting and review of the Local Rule, this author has observed first-hand the careful, thoughtful and patient consideration by the court of the clear need for more lawyers to take on more pro bono cases in the court, and the balance of limits on an individual lawyer’s time and resources to take on these cases.
Federal Bar Update: Offers of judgment and class actions
The U.S. Supreme Court recently held that an unaccepted offer of judgment under Rule 68 does not moot a class representative’s claim, even when the offer is made prior to class certification.
Federal Bar Update: Early returns on amended Rules of Civil Procedure
Significant changes to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure took effect to civil cases filed on or after Dec. 1, or to cases already pending to the extent just and practicable. In the first two months of these new rules, it is apparent they are having an immediate impact on federal litigation.
Federal Bar Update: Significant rule changes coming Dec. 1
Significant changes to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure take effect to civil cases filed on or after Dec. 1, or to cases already pending to the extent just and practicable. The Supreme Court of the United States approved these changes in April, and Congress has taken no action to stop them becoming effective.
Fed Bar Update: Process is underway to fill vacancies on federal bench
Read about latest developments in the federal bar.
Federal Bar Update: Removing state-court actions to federal court
Removal of state-court actions to federal court has provided a seemingly never-ending source of procedural disputes. Fortunately many of those mind-numbing issues have been resolved in the last several years by Congress and the courts, with the Supreme Court of the United States addressing one key issue recently.
Federal Bar Update: Southern District’s uniform protective order
Throughout 2014, a subcommittee of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana’s Local Rules Committee, including Magistrate Judges Denise LaRue and Debra McVicker Lynch, was hard at work on a proposed uniform protective order.
Federal Bar Update: End-of-year tweaks to federal court rules
John Maley takes a look at rule changes in federal courts and reminds attorneys that the rule on Statement of the Facts has been deleted.