Editor

Olivia joined Indiana Lawyer as a reporter in September 2016 and was promoted to managing editor in April 2018. Olivia has experience reporting on local, state, and federal government entities, including the state and federal court systems. She has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists for her work individually and with the Indiana Lawyer staff each year since she joined IBJ Media.

First job: Watering flowers around the yard for my dad
Favorite movie: Tie between The Devils Wear Prada and Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Favorite book: Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen (seeing a pattern?)
Personal hype song: “Respect” by Aretha Franklin
Hobbies: Reading, biking, taking walks, listening to music

Articles

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Labor laws revisited: Unions regroup after SCOTUS ruling

It was a decision that surprised few, but disappointed many. The United States Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME, 585 U.S. ___ (2018), delivered a victory to right-to-work advocates but a blow to labor unions, holding that public sector, non-union employees cannot be forced to pay union dues.

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Applications open to succeed retiring Allen Judge Levine

The Allen Superior Court Judicial Nominating Commission is now accepting applications from candidates who wish to fill a second pending vacancy in the county’s superior court. Applications to succeed retiring Judge Stanley Levine will be accepted through Sept. 14.

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Three new judges prepare to join Marion County bench

For the first time, three new Marion County judges have been appointed through merit-based selection. Charnette Garner, Jennifer Harrison and Mark Jones were chosen by Gov. Eric Holcomb from among 40 applicants to replace retiring Indianapolis judges Becky Pierson-Treacy, Michael Keele and Thomas Carroll, respectively.

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Prosecutors cite ethics rules to Hill in abortion lawsuit

Three Indiana prosecutors are renewing their calls for Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill to concede on their behalf the merits of lawsuit that blocked a 2018 abortion law and told the AG's staff in an email that Hill is obligated under the Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct to follow their directive as his clients. Hill, however, maintains he is authorized to defend the statute on behalf of his "ultimate client:" the people of Indiana.

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Judge lets Marion County inmate suicide suit proceed

A lawsuit claiming the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and one of its deputies violated an inmate’s constitutional rights by leaving him unattended long enough for the inmate to kill himself will continue after a district court judge declined to fully grant summary judgment to the county.

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DOC wardship of juvenile delinquent affirmed

A 17-year-old adjudicated as a juvenile delinquent has failed to convince the Indiana Court of Appeals to overturn the Indiana Department of Correction’s wardship over him after failing to prove the case’s disposition constituted fundamental error. But the COA also urged courts to consider allowing juveniles to speak in such cases.

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Justices to suspended attorney: Pay fine or face prison

The Indiana Supreme Court has ordered a Kokomo attorney who is already suspended to pay a fine or face a 15-day prison sentence after he was found in contempt for practicing law while suspended. The court said the lawyer twice contacted opposing counsel who responded by noting his suspension.

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New COA judge Tavitas brings varied experience to appellate bench

Newly-minted Indiana Court of Appeals Judge Elizabeth Tavitas has done a little bit of everything throughout her legal career. She’s been a prosecutor, a public defender, a private practitioner, a referee, a trial court judge and now, a judge on the state’s second-highest court.

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Hoosier law firms promoting women leadership before, after #MeToo

Across Indianapolis, women were being tapped to lead their law firms before the #MeToo movement, either as practice group chairs, committee leaders, managing partners or a combination. But the movement has sparked additional conversations in their law firms, giving credence to gender equality efforts that were already in place.

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ABA approves changes to lawyer advertising rules

Among the resolutions adopted by the American Bar Association House of Delegates during its annual meeting this month was one that could significantly change the way attorneys conduct their business: Resolution 101 to amend the attorney advertising rules.

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Evansville schools must allow transgender teen to use boys’ bathroom

A transgender Evansville teen will be permitted to use the boys’ bathroom this school year after a district court judge issued an injunction against the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation, finding the school district cannot require the teen to use the girls’ restroom because his birth certificate identifies him as female.

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Hill joins amicus brief defending cross-shaped WWI memorial

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill has signed on to a 28-state amicus brief urging the United States Supreme Court to overturn a circuit court decision that would require the destruction or significant alteration of a World War I monument, which was found to be a violation of the Establishment Clause.

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