Articles

Beloved friends remembered at Indy Red Mass celebration

As the Catholic Church is being rocked again by another clerical sex abuse scandal, the Indianapolis St. Thomas More Society held its 59th Annual Red Mass Monday evening and did what everyone does in times of heartache – turned to the comfort of old friends. In Indiana, dioceses in Lafayette, Gary, Fort Wayne and Evansville, along with Indianapolis, all held Red Mass services this year.

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Not lost in translation: Mediation with non-English speakers

When parties arrive for mediation and extend their hands in greeting, James Browne understands the cultural differences that can be conveyed in the handshake. Browne, partner at Goodin Abernathy LLP in Indianapolis, has been a registered mediator since 2010 and offers bilingual mediation services.

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Domestic violence coalition grows network of lawyers to help survivors

The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s Satellite Attorney Program offers free civil legal services to low-income victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. The program has a network of just over 100 attorneys across Indiana and, since January 2016, has provided legal advice or counsel, including direct representation, in roughly 350 cases.

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Legal aid groups cast wider net to diversify funding

The Indiana Supreme Court is preparing to ask for an increase in civil legal aid funding when the Indiana General Assembly convenes for the 2019 session. The request will come as legal aid nonprofits try to diversify their donor base while looking for new ways to help the steady flow of people in need.

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Holcomb’s office ordered to hand over Pence Carrier emails

Gov. Eric Holcomb’s administration has 30 days to turnover emails that passed between former Gov. Mike Pence, the Trump Organization and Carrier Corp. related to the negotiations that led then newly elected President Donald Trump to take credit for saving the Indianapolis plant from closing.

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Indiana Supreme Court greenlights blocked railroad crossings

A unanimous Indiana Supreme Court sent a message Tuesday to Hoosier motorists stuck at railroad crossings waiting for trains to pass: relax, you’re going to be there awhile. The court struck down a state law limiting blocked crossings to 10 minutes, holding that such regulations were pre-empted by federal law.

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Gary mayor, IP practice chair carrying on Shirley’s legacy

One has realized her dream of being mayor of her hometown and the other is leading in a legal field that has typically attracted more men than women. Neither likes the spotlight, preferring to share any recognition, but both are credited with carving new paths for women and mentoring the next generation.    

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Jury finds for Marion County sheriff at ex-deputy’s ADA trial

A former Marion County sheriff’s deputy who was permanently injured while on duty has lost her lawsuit against the sheriff’s department and the city of Indianapolis after a federal jury found the defendants did not fail to accommodate her and did not harass her because of her disability.

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ISBA adapts, evolves to meet changing needs of attorneys

The Indiana State Bar Association is working to attract members and keep them engaged in professional and community activities. The challenge: attorneys in the middle and late stages of their career might be comfortable with the way things have always been, but younger lawyers are pushing the need for a new way to do business.

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J. Lee McNeely recognized as Legendary Lawyer for distinguished career

A small-town attorney with a folksy manner and sly wit, J. Lee McNeely never wanted to be anywhere other than his hometown of Shelbyville. The Indiana Bar Foundation named him the 2018 Legendary Lawyer in recognition of his public service, community service and contributions to the legal profession during more than 50 years of practice.

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Lawsuits charge Rainbow Realty’s rent-to-buy contracts target the most vulnerable

A case before the Indiana Court of Appeals is at least the third pending suit involving Rainbow Realty and its rent-to-buy program. The Indiana Attorney General filed a complaint in Marion Superior Court in January 2013, and the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana filed a class action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana in May 2017.

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COA: State has no burden to prove sanity

A man who unsuccessfully pursued an insanity defense failed to convince the Indiana Court of Appeals that the state had the burden of proving he was sane beyond a reasonable doubt in his attempted murder case.

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Absent juvenile did not waive rights, split Supreme Court rules

The Indiana Supreme Court split over whether a juvenile waived his right to be present when he skipped his hearing, but the justices came together in calling for a legislative remedy. Justices in a 3-2 decision reversed the teen’s juvenile delinquency adjudication.

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