Marilyn Odendahl - The Indiana Lawyer

Attorney General taking fight against early voting consent decree to 7th Circuit

August 9, 2018

In defending the Indiana Attorney General’s objection to an agreement about early voting, Indiana Solicitor General Thomas M. Fisher said the action is “rather routine” and the office would be submitting additional filings to the courts, including an appeal to the 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals. The comments came two days after the attorney general filed a motion challenging the consent decree establishing five early voting sites in Marion County.

Hill defends motion against early voting in Marion County

August 9, 2018

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is hitting back at Secretary of State Connie Lawson for calling his actions “reckless” but is remaining quiet on the assertion that his motion to derail Marion County’s plan to expand early voting is “premised on a fundamental factual misrepresentation.”

Secretary of State to AG Hill: Drop opposition to satellite voting

August 8, 2018

Opposition is rising to embattled Attorney General Curtis Hill’s move to block expanded early voting in Marion County, with Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson calling Hill’s action “reckless” and urging him to drop the matter. Under state law, Lawson’s office is responsible for election oversight, and she said Hill did not consult her before going to court.

AG Hill moves to block Marion County early voting sites

August 8, 2018

Marion County’s decision to open additional voting centers is being contested by Attorney General Curtis Hill, but the Marion County Election Board disputes his assertion that the agreement to offer more early voting sites is contrary to Indiana law or that the board lacked a unanimous vote.

Florida case against PACER fees set for May 2019 trial

August 7, 2018

A Florida attorney, tired of being charged by PACER for accessing court opinions, has been given a trial date and is asking the district court to reconsider the denial of his attempt to bring in more plaintiffs. A Florida judge will hear the case in May.

Settlement reached in Indiana Title VII case that started judicial shift

August 7, 2018

Kimberly Hively, the adjunct math professor whose employment discrimination complaint changed Title VII law in the 7^th Circuit, has settled with her former employer, Ivy Tech Community College. But the issue of whether the Civil Rights Act provision extends to sexual orientation continues to roil in other judicial districts and may yet be examined by the U.S. Supreme Court.

SCOTUS tackles big docket, pace likely to persist

August 7, 2018

In reviewing the recently ended U.S. Supreme Court term that included several landmark cases and three reversals of precedent, retired 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge John Tinder finally had to quote baseball legend Yogi Berra as to what might happen in the 2018 term.

Lawyers scrambling after SCOTUS sidesteps gerrymandering

August 7, 2018

When presented with one of the most consequential cases of the 2017 term, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments, then heard more oral arguments before issuing an opinion in mid-June that essentially sidestepped the issue.

Attorneys must be mindful of how they discard digital technology

August 7, 2018

Just as an attorney would shred outdated paper documents, contacts stored in a cellphone and files on a hard drive must be kept private when the old devices are discarded.

Legal defense fund for AG Hill raises questions

August 7, 2018

The formation of a 501(c)3 to collect contributions to provide for Attorney General Curtis Hill’s legal defense against sexual misconduct allegations brought a fresh round of inquiry. Nonprofit law attorneys questioned the legality of starting a charity to raise money for one specific person and how the fund would be monitored in Indiana.

A century of service: Leverenz, Hayes loyal aides to legal aid

August 7, 2018

Jacqueline “Jackie” Leverenz was young and just married when she started at Indianapolis Legal Aid Society on Oct. 31, 1958. Ida Hayes was divorced with children to support when she began at Indiana Legal Services on Nov. 22, 1966. Today, the two women serve as office managers, bookkeepers, secretaries, problem-solvers and attorney cheerleaders while, combined, they have worked in legal aid for more than 110 years.

Indiana included in $1.1 settlement with Anchor Glass

August 6, 2018

Indiana will receive $275,000 as its part of a $1.1 million civil penalty against Anchor Glass Container Corp. for emitting harmful pollutants in violation of the Clean Air Act. The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposed settlement agreement Monday with Anchor Glass to improve compliance at its glass manufacturing facilities in six states, including a manufacturing plant in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

Untimely estate petition considered, still rejected by COA

August 1, 2018

Although the Indiana Court of Appeals found a man’s request that he be permitted to file an amended complaint was untimely, it still addressed the arguments he put forth to support his petition.

COA: Accident affirmation in baby’s death upholds conviction

August 1, 2018

An Indianapolis man’s conviction for causing the death of his infant daughter will stand after the Indiana Court of Appeals rejected his argument that the evidence of him placing a pillow over the baby should not have been admitted at trial because he never affirmatively said her death was an accident.

Despite Holcomb’s support, hate crimes bill lacks unity

July 31, 2018

Even as Indiana lawmakers from both parties continue to echo Gov. Eric Holcomb’s call for hate crime legislation, the deep divisions that foiled previous attempts to pass a bias-motivated crime bill appear to still be entrenched.

‘Excessive slopes’ in Steak ’n Shake parking lots fuels ADA complaint

July 30, 2018

A pair of disability rights advocates who had trouble maneuvering their wheelchairs through the parking lots at two Steak ’n Shake restaurants in Pennsylvania will be able to pursue their claims that the Indianapolis-based restaurant chain is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, the 3^rd Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled.

Ripple effect: As ABA restructures, legal groups feel anxious

July 24, 2018

The National Association of IOLTA Programs grew up with nurturing care from the American Bar Association, but now, at 32 years of age, the nonprofit is having to become more responsible for its own needs as the ABA undergoes a major restructuring.

Attorney Charles Braun answers legal questions on air, calms listeners

July 24, 2018

Saturday mornings, attorney Charles Braun answers questions about the law. He doesn’t know what legal issue or practice area the questions will cover. He doesn’t know who will be asking. He doesn’t keep a book or laptop close by to do quick research. Rather, he answers on the spot and with the public listening.

Judge awards $219K in housing discrimination lawsuit

July 24, 2018

The estate of a woman who was confined to a hospital bed and harassed by her landlord won a major victory last week in federal court that provided some rare Indiana case law on housing discrimination and, according to a fair housing advocate, will impact Hoosiers for years to come. Judge William Lawrence of the […]

Barnes & Thornburg lawyers filling Indiana federal judiciary

July 24, 2018

When the White House nominated Hoosier Damon Leichty to a federal district judgeship, it was the second time the Trump Administration has chosen an attorney working at Barnes & Thornburg LLP in Indiana to fill a judicial vacancy.

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