ISBA preparing to roll out health insurance for members
A novel new health insurance program is touted by the Indiana State Bar Association as providing better coverage at lower cost, particularly for solo practitioners and small law firms.
Marilyn Odendahl
Articles
New book on President Harrison highlights his life in law, politics
Author Ray Boomhower describes the Hoosier president as a man whose legal career made him a powerful speaker capable of reaching and swaying an audience. “He had that experience of trying to convince a jury which, I think, translated very well in trying to convince voters to support his candidacy.”
Father’s assertion of Fifth Amendment rights splits COA
Even though the Indiana Court of Appeals had previously affirmed that the youngsters in this case were children in need of services, in part because of allegations of a father’s sexual abuse, it has reversed the termination of parental rights because the requirement that the father participate in a sex offender treatment program violated his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
Bar exam review commission opens meetings to public
A 14-member study commission appointed to review the Indiana Bar Exam in light of the ongoing decline in passage rates will hold a series of 10 monthly meetings, all open to the public, at the Indiana Statehouse beginning next week.
Northern District nominees sent to Senate floor after judiciary committee votes
Holly Brady and Damon Leichty, nominees to the Northern Indiana District Court, are a step closer to confirmation after the US. Senate Committee on the Judiciary voted in favor of their nominations Thursday and sent their names to the Senate floor.
Final Cook Medical bellwether trial ends with verdict for plaintiff
The third and final bellwether trial over Cook Medical’s blood clot filters has concluded with the jury returning a $3 million verdict Feb. 1 for a plaintiff who claims because of the defendants’ defective product she faces numerous health risks including the risk of death.
The woe of Roe: 46 years later, abortion debate still boils
To mark the 46th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, two groups rallied at the Indiana Statehouse Jan. 22, and showed that of the divisions among Americans, the gulf over abortion rights remains among the widest.
Cameras in court: 7th Circuit ushers in oral arguments on video
The 7th Circuit did something historic recently — an Indiana case involving Purdue University marked the first time the appellate court turned on the cameras and recorded video of an oral argument.
Indiana appeals 18-hour ultrasound injunction to U.S. Supreme Court
Indiana is again appealing to the Supreme Court of the United States to overturn a preliminary injunction blocking a state abortion law, this one requiring women to get an ultrasound at least 18 hours before the procedure. The provision was included in House Enrolled Act 1337, which was signed into law by then-Gov. Mike Pence in 2016.
Creation of agency settlement fund rankles Indiana AG
Indiana’s attorneys general have long participated in and even led multistate settlement work, but statutory language quietly slipped into the biennial budget during the 2017 legislative session has changed where the state’s portion of the money goes. And Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill’s office says the switch has curtailed the investigations it can now pursue.
IU student accused of sex misconduct denied injunction
A male student accused of sexual misconduct was denied a preliminary injunction to prevent Indiana University Bloomington from suspending him as a sanction from what he called a “fundamentally unfair disciplinary process.”
Senate Judiciary Democrats hold over federal judicial nominees
In holding over nearly 50 judicial nominees Tuesday, including two renominees for the Northern Indiana District Court, Democrats on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee called for a return to the traditions of honoring blue slips and relying on the American Bar Association’s evaluations.
Student’s suit against Butler in sex misconduct case voluntarily dismissed
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals granted a motion to dismiss a case against Butler University brought by a male student who claimed he was falsely accused of sexual misconduct and expelled from the school as a result.
COA: ‘pleasant’ drug defendant was properly Mirandized
A drug offender who received kudos from the trial court for her pleasant demeanor had her conviction and sentence affirmed by the Indiana Court of Appeals after she could not present any evidence that police failed to ensure she understood her Miranda rights.
COA: Hardware store had no duty to shocked customer
A Crawfordsville hardware store that rented an aerial lift to a man who ultimately used it too close to some power lines did not have any duty to provide additional warnings, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled.
COA: No double jeopardy violations in fatal flight from police
A South Bend motorist who fled police, ran a red light and hit another vehicle, killing the driver, was unable to convince the Indiana Court of Appeals that his convictions violate double jeopardy.
Indiana federal courts work as funds dwindle amid shutdown
In the Southern and Northern Indiana district courts, no workers have been furloughed and no pay periods have been skipped, but with the federal judiciary estimating it has funding only to sustain current levels of operations through the end of January, Hoosier jurisdictions are preparing for potential changes.
Brady, Leichty renominated to Northern Indiana District Court
The two nominees for the Northern Indiana District Court are among 51 judicial candidates the White House has renominated for the federal bench.
Rallies at Statehouse show divide over Roe still wide after 46 years
On the 46th anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion, supporters and opponents scheduled rallies at the Indiana Statehouse, underscoring the deep divide over the ruling that remains more than four decades later. Advocates of reproductive rights gathered on the fourth floor of the Statehouse Tuesday to begin their push for Senate Bill 589, while Indiana Right to Life had a rally scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
Incoming law dean Cole brings ‘lifelong love for Notre Dame’
Any other law school probably would not have sparked G. Marcus Cole’s interest. “I’ve always had a lifelong love for (the University of) Notre Dame and what it stands for,” said Cole, who recently was named the incoming dean. “It was someplace I always wanted to be.”