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

Tax Court reverses doubled Clark County assessments

The Clark County assessor must reduce its valuation of a Jeffersonville property by roughly $1 million for the 2011 through 2013 tax years after the Indiana Tax Court found the assessor abused her discretion in the assessment process.

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Justices to decide if bad search voids child molest convictions

The Indiana Supreme Court must decide if a Blackford County man’s child molestation convictions will stand despite an unconstitutional search of his home that led to his confession. The question will force the court to grapple with the relationship between two doctrines: attenuation and fruit of the poisonous tree.

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Appellate court orders new trial for car crash victim

A man injured in a LaGrange County car crash will get a second chance to make his negligence case against the driver who allegedly caused the collision after the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed judgment in favor of the allegedly negligent driver and remanded the case for a new trial.

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7th Circuit upholds LWOP sentence for convicted murderer

An Indiana man convicted of murdering his ex-wife with a crowbar will continue to serve his life without parole sentence after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals denied the habeas relief he sought on the basis of ineffective assistance of trial counsel.

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Justices: Attorneys can’t waive clients’ right to attend commitment hearings

A man whose attorney waived his right to be present at his mental health civil commitment hearing will be released from involuntary commitment after the Indiana Supreme Court ruled that attorneys may not waive a client’s right to be present at those hearings. The court also found that trial courts can independently waive a respondent’s presence but must do so at the beginning of a civil commitment proceeding.

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State, railroad argue over blocked crossings before Supreme Court

The Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday heard oral arguments in a case to determine whether state or federal law controls how long trains may block road crossings. Norfolk Southern Railway challenged the state’s blocked crossing statute after receiving 23 citations for blocking a crossing for more than 10 minutes.

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ISBA Litigation Symposium to feature legal writing expert

Whether it’s a complaint, an arbitration agreement or an appellate brief, knowing how to economize words to make a point within a limited word count is a skill that all attorneys, particularly litigators, must master to succeed in the law. That’s why the Indiana State Bar Association’s Litigation Section will offer a writing workshop with an internationally known legal writing expert at its fourth annual Litigation Symposium in August.

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SEO Pleading the 5th mode (IL Illustration/Brad Turner)

Court order to access smartphone stirs 5th amendment concerns

When does an action become testimonial? What role do technological advances play in Fifth Amendment analyses? When can law enforcement compel people to unlock their cellphones without infringing on constitutional rights? The Indiana Court of Appeals is grappling with those questions as it considers a Fifth Amendment case of first impression.

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Institute asks justices to take case contesting civil forfeiture

The Institute for Justice is asking the Indiana Supreme Court to grant immediate review to a case challenging Indiana’s civil forfeiture policy, arguing the practice of diverting forfeiture proceeds away from the Common School Fund is unconstitutional and encourages “policing for profit.” The Virginia-based legal organization filed a petition to transfer Jeana M. Horner, et […]

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Ball State prof tackles controversial SCOTUS libel decision in new book

It all began in September 1962, when Atlanta insurance salesman George Burnett was accidentally connected to a phone call between University of Georgia athletic director James Wallace “Wally” Butts, Jr. and legendary University of Alabama coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Burnett's record of the call led to a controversial U.S. Supreme Court libel decision that is the basis of a new book by Ball State University professor emeritus David Sumner. 

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