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

Court orders former Cracker Barrel manager to arbitration

A former Indiana Cracker Barrel manager who sued the restaurant chain for disability discrimination and retaliation must arbitrate her claims against the restaurant after a federal judge compelled the employee to comply with an arbitration agreement she claims she never signed.

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Evansville magistrate resigns amid misconduct investigation

A Vanderburgh County magistrate judge has resigned from the bench following an Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications investigation into allegations of misconduct. The Indiana Supreme Court announced Magistrate Jeffrey T. Shoulders’ resignation on Tuesday, almost two weeks after Shoulders officially resigned on May 30.

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Foreseeability rulings change negligence analyses in premises liability cases

In just 30 pages, the Indiana Supreme Court “redrew (Indiana’s) premises liability landscape,” an appellate court judge recently noted. The October 2016 rulings redefined the parameters courts — not juries — must use when determining whether the harm alleged in a negligence case was was foreseeable, giving rise to a duty.

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South Bend attorney Frank Julian leading ITLA in 2018

It’s not uncommon for South Bend attorney Frank Julian to be involved in an email discussion about an important case or legal issue on a Saturday or Sunday, but it’s not because his work keeps him chained to his desk all weekend. Instead, Julian often finds himself engaged in discussions with fellow members of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, the organization he has been tapped to lead in 2018.

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Working hard or hardly working: Survey says half of partners not busy

It’s frustrating for any high-performing employee: You’re glued to your computer, fingers furiously flying across the keyboard to finish your report, brief or project. Then you look over and see a co-worker chatting with a friend, playing on their phone or scrolling through their Facebook feed, seemingly without a care or a deadline to meet.

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Appeals court hears suit from owner of dog killed by DNR trap

While walking her dogs through Versailles State Park one unseasonably warm afternoon in December 2011, Melodie Liddle heard her 9-year-old beagle, Copper, yelping after becoming caught in a hidden raccoon trap. The Court of Appeals is weighing the state’s liability in the case and whether Liddle’s complaint is time-barred.

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Transgender teen’s restroom suit against Evansville schools proceeds

A transgender teen’s lawsuit alleging the Evansville school district violated his rights by forcing him to use the women’s restrooms despite his male identity will continue after a district court judge rejected the school’s argument that only the teen’s parents could act as his next friend in the litigation.

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SCOTUS-created group lists anti-harassment measures

A federal working group has made two dozen recommendations for ways the judiciary can prevent and respond to workplace harassment, issuing a report that marks the end of the first phase of a U.S. Supreme Court-led initiative that began in response to the national #MeToo movement.

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Judge: FSSA must allow quadriplegic to receive home care

An elderly quadriplegic who has been confined to a hospital or nursing home since February 2016 could soon return home after a district judge ruled the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration violated her rights by failing to provide her with home-based care.

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Vanderburgh County murderer loses PCR bid

A Vanderburgh County man convicted of beating his girlfriend to death has lost his bid for post-conviction relief from the Indiana Court of Appeals, which found he did not receive ineffective assistance of trial counsel.

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COA reopens estate after improper probate closing

The St. Joseph Probate Court must reopen an estate that led to years-long litigation between two siblings after the court failed to follow proper statutory procedure when closing the estate, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.

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