Claiming freedom of speech does not guarantee the right to hear a government official deliver a message in person, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is seeking dismissal of a First Amendment case brought by an Indianapolis-based political commentator who was barred from a press conference.
Erica Mandrell’s story of failing to convince a judge that her mental trauma qualified her for disability benefits is so common that her attorney said the denial reflects the “default culture” of the Social Security Administration.
As the Legislature, agency stakeholders and foster parents restart the conversation about providing attorneys for children in child-in-need-of-services and termination of parental rights proceedings, the Child Advocates Direct Representation Program is an example of how direct representation works and what it can do.
Normally, Jayna Cacioppo and Neal Brackett fit the image of picture-perfect attorneys — polished, pressed and professional. But recently they have added a splash of pink to their appearance.
Indiana is one of just six states that does not require counsel for children in child welfare cases in any situation, according to the National Association of Counsel for Children. Although Indiana Code § 31-32-4-2 does give state court judges the discretion to appoint counsel for children in child welfare cases, stakeholders say the Hoosier State could be forced to implement a direct representation program either through lawsuits filed by national children’s rights organization or federal legislation that Congress is considering.
An appeal of a federal court’s ruling in a dispute with the IRS has a Hoosier attorney facing sanctions after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals found he “pressed frivolous arguments” and engaged in conduct contrary to professional standards.
Four plaintiffs seeking Cook Medical liable have lost their ability to continue in the multidistrict litigation after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of a motion to reconsider the dismissal of their cases because their attorney missed a filing deadline.
Noblesville School District and Noblesville High School are asking a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a freshman who alleged her rights were violated because she was not allowed to start a student pro-life club.
A split 7th Circuit Court of Appeals panel has affirmed Liberty Insurance Underwriters Inc. must defend USA Gymnastics against the lawsuits filed by the athletes and affiliated gyms arising from Larry Nassar sexually assaulting hundreds of girls and young women over decades.
A trucking company and its driver involved in a fatal collision will not be able to rely on the insurance company’s MCS-90 endorsement after the Indiana Supreme Court ruled the coverage does not apply to an accident during an intrastate trip where non-hazardous materials were being transported.
A Delaware County man had his murder conviction affirmed after the Court of Appeals of Indiana found the trial court’s admission of a parole violation during trial was an abuse of discretion but a harmless error.
Contending the Legislature is injecting politics into the litigation over House Enrolled Act 1123, Gov. Eric Holcomb is reiterating his argument to the Indiana Supreme Court that the dispute is not about public policy but rather about whether the state’s constitution allows the General Assembly to call itself into a special session.
An Indianapolis woman whose property fell into foreclosure after her house burned was unable to convince the Court of Appeals of Indiana that her mortgage allowed for part of the insurance payment to cover her attorney fees.
Finding federal prosecutors failed to present any evidence to support the allegation that Edward Gibbs confessed to conspiring to distribute 4.5 kilograms of crystal meth, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned his 16-plus-year sentence and remanded for resentencing at a lower offense level.
The Indiana Supreme Court has turned down a request by an Allen County man to determine whether he actually waived his right to appeal when he entered into a plea agreement, but two members of the court voted to hear the case.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis has asked the Indiana Supreme Court to end the case brought by a gay teacher fired from Cathedral High School, asserting the judiciary could be irreparably harmed by an “intrusion into religious affairs.”
A panel discussion about critical race theory at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law veered into a debate about House Bill 1134, the controversial curriculum legislation in the Indiana Statehouse, and included pleas to work together to find common ground.
A contentious Indiana bill that Republican lawmakers say would increase transparency of school curricula could undergo significant changes Wednesday in response to mounting criticism from teachers and education advocates.
By the time the “residential eviction actions” bill was called, the Indiana Senate Judiciary Committee hearing had stretched well beyond two hours and, after hearing testimony, the session was adjourned with no vote taken on the measure. The fatigue felt by legislators and those constituents who were still in attendance on Feb. 9 is much like the tiredness gripping many Hoosiers and community agencies that have been bracing for and facing an eviction crisis since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Gregory Gotwald has been named the managing partner at Plews Shadley Racher & Braun. He is taking over when the world is lurching toward normalcy but times are still uncertain. Yet Gotwald said he is sure his firm will weather the changes just fine.