Articles

Study committee to return spotlight to DCS

While the firestorm over the Indiana Department of Child Services has died down, the Indiana General Assembly is preparing to begin its examination of the agency and possibly make recommendations for action during the 2019 legislative session. The Interim Study Committee on Courts and the Judiciary is scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Room 431 of the Statehouse to review a host of issues related to DCS.

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DNA from genealogy websites leads to cold-case arrests

Using genealogy websites to crack cold cases is making headlines in Fort Wayne and around the country, but it has not been tested in court. The individuals arrested and charged with the crimes are at the beginning of their cases, and questions of privacy and DNA reliability have not been answered.

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Turning brownfields into green land neither cheap nor easy

A 20-year-old state environmental law, oblique court decisions and a provision inserted seven years ago into the statute of limitations are coming together in a case from Elkhart that many environmental lawyers are hoping will finally settle lingering debates over when suits recouping cleanup costs may be filed.

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Sweeney set to join busy Southern Indiana District Court

With the confirmation of James Sweeney II to the federal bench, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana will be getting a much-needed judge to fill a longstanding vacancy and help handle one of the heaviest dockets in the country.

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Sweeney confirmed to Southern District bench

James Sweeney, partner at Barnes & Thornburg, has been confirmed to the Southern Indiana District Court. He was nominated by President Donald Trump in November 2017 to fill a vacancy created when Judge Sarah Evans Barker took senior status.

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With applications rising, 1Ls bring strong credentials

The Law School Admissions Council is reporting an 8.1 percent increase in applications for the 2018-2019 academic year compared to the previous school year. Also, applicants with higher LSAT scores are returning, as evidenced by the 1L classes at Indiana’s law schools.

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Hill enduring backlash in voting lawsuits

Even as the office of embattled Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is pleading for more time to challenge a ruling that found changes to the state's voter registration statute violated federal law, it's taking another election dispute to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.

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Corrected exhibit slipped by COA; ‘disregard’ admonishment

The Indiana Court of Appeals, which issued a stern warning to defendants about misrepresenting their case, acknowledged an amended exhibit had been given to the trial court. While reaffirming its earlier decision, the panel noted that a harshly worded footnote criticizing defense counsel in the personal injury case "is to be disregarded."

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7th Circuit scrubs en banc hearing on welcoming ordinance

Although the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has cancelled an en banc hearing to reconsider a nationwide injunction that protected welcoming ordinances across the country, it left the door open for the U.S. Attorney General to file a new challenge to what the Trump administration terms sanctuary cities.

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1L class brings strong credentials; 104 students return to Valpo

Freshly arriving law students are turning on their laptops, getting their student IDs, finalizing their schedules and preparing for the start of classes at Indiana’s law schools. The new law school year has started or will start in the next week at all four of Indiana’s law schools.

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AG Hill appeals Marion County early voting plan to 7th Circuit

After Senior Judge Sarah Evans Barker on Thursday afternoon rejected his motion objecting to Marion County’s plan for early voting, Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill turned to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. Hill is proceeding over the objection of Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson, whose office is charged by law with election oversight.

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