APRIL 12-25, 2023
As the country waits to learn whether the U.S. Supreme Court will uphold the Biden administration's student loan forgiveness plan, Notre Dame Law School is enhancing its program to help graduates pay back those loans. Indiana Lawyer reporter Alexa Shrake tells us about that program, plus efforts at the other two Hoosier law schools to help students manage the rising costs of legal education. Meanwhile in the federal courts, a new judge has officially joined the bench of the Indiana Southern District Court. IL managing editor Daniel Carson gives us the scoop on Judge Matthew Brookman and how he's preparing for his new role. And in the Mediation/ADR Focus, IL senior reporter Tyler Fenwick explores how AI programs like ChatGPT could change the way arbitrators do business. Read those stories and more in the April 12-25, 2023, issue of Indiana Lawyer.
Top StoriesBack to Top
Lightening the load: Indiana law schools work to combat student loan debt
As the national conversation around student loan debt continues, law students are seeing their student loan debt rise. Against that backdrop, Indiana’s law schools are taking steps to help their students handle their debt post-graduation.
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IN Southern District diversity internship opens doors to ‘intimidating’ federal judiciary
Shahd Jaziri walked into the federal courthouse in Indianapolis last spring for an interview and felt the same thing others likely feel: intimidation.
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Helping the self-represented: Growing number of counties offering self-help centers for pro se litigants
A growing number of Indiana counties are finding ways to connect pro se litigants with legal assistance.
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From magistrate to district judge: After smooth confirmation, Brookman primed for new role on Indiana Southern District bench
Calm, works well with lawyers and litigants, and without a hint of personal or political agendas on the bench. That’s how colleagues, attorneys and judges describe Matthew Brookman.
Read More‘Radical turn away’ from admissions tests? Deans say claims of increased diversity may be unfounded
Indiana University Maurer School of Law Dean Christiana Ochoa said those who want to do away with requiring law school admission tests for diversity’s sake have it backward. And she is not alone.
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Web Exclusive: Indiana incarcerated women research, publish historical book on Indiana Women’s Prison
A group of incarcerated women at the Indiana Women’s Prison in Indianapolis has researched and gathered information on the origins of the facility. That research will soon become public via a book set to release this month.
Read MoreIndiana Court Decisions: March 22-April 5, 2023
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the most recent reporting period.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Why arbitrators aren’t using ChatGPT — not yet, anyway
Linda Beyea is the vice president of innovation at the American Arbitration Association and is on a mission to get arbitrators to pay attention to ChatGPT and other similar artificial intelligence programs.
Read MoreState settlement programs sparsely used as eviction alternative
Indiana’s landlord and tenant settlement program is voluntary, with both sides needing to agree to participate in a conference. That’s resulted in a lot of conference requests, but only a small amount of actually mediated resolutions.
Read MoreLewinski: Mediators should understand how businesspeople make decisions
Mediation disputes come in all shapes, sizes and subjects. While it is important to understand the nature and background of the dispute, it may be more important for a mediator to understand what drives the decision-making process of the parties.
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Trimble: Spring cleaning your law practice: Now is the right time!
This time of year, I like to bring a little spring cleaning to my law practice, and I want to urge you to do the same.
Read MoreBerman: Defending dog-bite cases: An expert’s view
Dog bites happen everywhere dogs and people cohabitate, and they happen for many different reasons. There are many questions that need to be answered, and although there are patterns in every dog bite incident, no two incidents are the same.
Read MoreHammerle on… “The Menu,” “The Pale Blue Eye” and “Women Talking”
Indianapolis criminal defense attorney Robert Hammerle gives us his take on “The Menu,” “The Pale Blue Eye” and “Women Talking.”
Read MoreDisciplinary ActionsBack to Top
Disciplinary Actions: Jan. 1-March 31, 2023
Read a summary of disciplinary actions handed down by the Indiana Supreme Court during the first quarter of 2023.
Read MoreBar AssociationsBack to Top
Assise: Avoiding mistakes as a new attorney
Even the smallest issue when practicing law can lead to disaster for both attorneys and their clients.
Read MoreIndyBar: The EPA and PFAS
The EPA is cracking down on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a ubiquitous family of chemicals that can be found everywhere from dairy farms and military bases to nonstick pans and food packaging.
Read MoreIndyBar: National Bar Association President to Highlight Bench Bar Conference
It’s rare that a lawyer’s career includes time as president of a nationwide bar association. It’s even more rare when that attorney had a lead role in a case that captured the country. Lonita K. Baker has the distinction of achieving these unique achievements.
Read MoreIndyBar Practice Toolkit: Profit Center: How to Feel More Confident About New Hires
Especially in the current job market, it’s important not to overextend yourself in hiring new attorneys or staff persons.
Read MoreIndyBar: Empowering the Community: April 27
At 8 a.m. on April 27, the Indianapolis Bar Foundation will host its annual Empowerment Breakfast at Meridian Hills Country Club.
Read MoreIndyBar: Judicial Spotlight: Honorable Charnette D. Garner
Judge Charnette Garner’s appointment was among the first gubernatorial appointments following the passage of House Enrolled Act 1036 in 2017, creating merit selection of judges in Marion County.
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