Right of first refusal splits Court of Appeals
A dispute over contract language divided the Indiana Court of Appeals to the point where judges could not agree whether the case was one of first impression.
Marilyn Odendahl
Articles
COA: Mom cannot show lead cause of boy’s autism
A grandmother failed to convince the Indiana Court of Appeals her grandson’s developmental disabilities were caused by the lead paint in her rented house rather than by his birth mother’s use of methamphetamine.
Failure to sign order sends dog dispute back to court
Noting the plaintiff may want to let a sleeping dog lie, the Indiana Court of Appeals remanded a decision to the trial court, finding the judge had not signed the order awarding custody of a dog named Snickers.
Indiana Tech’s closing of law school leaves unanswered questions
As the law school’s last class graduates, its website has been taken down andstudents begin to transfer to other programs.
Retired attorney creates course to teach lawyers how to be leaders
Retired attorney Greg Utken has helped develop a program focused on preparing attorneys to step into lead positions within a firm, legal department or company. The course, Lawyer to Leader, was developed in conjunction with Butler University’s Executive Education initiative.
Potential death of Affordable Care Act likely to cut taxes
The American Health Care Act, which seeks to repeal and replace the ACA, passed the House on a party-line vote but has not gained much traction in the Senate. In fact, the upper chamber is crafting its own repeal-and-replace legislation that could differ widely from the House proposal.
Legislature appoints special alcohol commission
Cold beer could be available in Indiana convenience stores’ coolers within two years.
Bloomington files lawsuit over last-minute annexation amendment
The city of Bloomington has filed a lawsuit against Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, claiming an amendment dropped into the state’s biennial budget at 2 a.m. April 21 and approved less than 24 hours later is specifically targeting the municipality to prevent it from annexing seven unincorporated areas near the city limits.
Trump budget hits legal aid and public service sectors
The American Bar Association is speaking out against key provisions in the Trump administration’s budget blueprint that would hit legal aid particularly hard.
7th Circuit hears Indiana birth certificate dispute
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals seemed unconvinced that Indiana’s prohibition against listing non-birth mothers in female, same-sex married couples on a child’s birth certificate violates the Constitution.
Ex-Evansville police officer convicted of murder appeals to US Supreme Court
A former Evansville police officer serving an 80-year sentence for murder and arson has asked the Supreme Court of the United States to overturn his conviction and order a new trial.
IDEM whistleblower makes argument to Indiana Supreme Court
A former employee of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management appeared in the Indiana Supreme Court courtroom Thursday arguing her right to bring a complaint against the state under the whistleblower provision of the Indiana False Claims Act.
57 percent of 2016 Indiana law graduates have full-time JD-required jobs
A little more than half of the 2016 graduates of Indiana law schools have full-time, long-term jobs where bar passage is required, according to American Bar Association employment statistics.
Judgment by algorithm
Risk assessment tools are raising concerns about accuracy and constitutional violations.
Holcomb’s executive order expected to ‘ban the box’ in state job applications
A bill prohibiting communities from enacting their own ban the box ordinances stirred divisions in the Indiana Legislature with supporters arguing for employers’ rights and opponents citing the need for individuals to have equal opportunities for jobs. However, when Gov. Eric Holcomb announced his intention to sign Senate Enrolled Act 312, he brought some rare unity between the two sides. Along with enacting the new law, the governor also said he would sign an executive order that will essentially ban the box for state agencies.
Kagan: Supreme Court did ‘pretty darn well’ with just 8 justices
During the 419 days the Supreme Court operated with an even number on the bench, the eight justices worked to find common ground so the court could issue majority opinions. Justice Elena Kagan said she and her colleagues learned to keep talking, listening and persuading as well as being open to persuasion.
Character better predictor of lawyering success, panel says
Although Rebecca Love Kourlis sees more collaboration than in the past, she said the gap between the skills the legal profession needs in today’s market and the attorneys law schools are producing is not only widening but will be difficult for legal education to overcome.
Indiana women trial lawyers preparing for Congressional push
A contingent of Indiana female trial lawyers will head to Washington, D.C., this month to participate in the 20th anniversary of the American Association for Justice Women Trial Lawyers Caucus lobby day.
Women IP attorneys launch central Indiana chapter of ChIPS, one of first in Midwest
At a kickoff reception April 27, about 30 women came together to network and participate in a panel discussion examining the careers of women in IP. ChIPS co-founder Emily Ward, CEO of Calla Nava and alumnae of Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, was the featured guest.
Last class graduates from Indiana Tech Law School
Waiting for graduation ceremonies to begin Saturday morning, Philip Davis summed up his place in the university’s history — at age 60, he is the oldest student who has ever graduated and ever will graduate from Indiana Tech Law School.