AUG. 3-AUG. 16, 2011
Attorney Mark Nicholson is known for his barbecue expertise. He competes in barbecue competitions in the Midwest and has earned the distinction of becoming a “certified barbecue judge.” The rising incidence of obesity among America's workforce may be having an impact on workers' compensation claims. Prosecutors discuss the considerations that go into waiving a juvenile to adult court.
Top StoriesBack to Top
Grilling guru
Before attorney Mark Nicholson left for work, he placed a slab of spare ribs on his indoor slow-cooker grill. By 4 p.m., the aroma of the meat – seasoned with Nicholson’s secret “magic dust” – is so enticing that it could cause even the most diehard vegetarian to waiver.
Read More
Registration goes online
Entering the 21st century is no longer optional for Indiana lawyers. When it comes to attorney registration, paper forms are history to make way for a new web portal.
Read MorePartner pay rises despite economic recession
Partners at Indianapolis’ largest law firms are enjoying healthy pay increases despite the tough economic times.
Read More
Lawmakers may consider sentencing options for children waived to adult court
Within a six-month period, one Indiana county prosecutor faced two situations where he had to make one of the toughest types of decisions – whether a child should be tried in juvenile or adult court based on the brutality of a crime and age of the offender.
Read MoreLooking back on rulings
Looking in the rearview mirror on judicial precedent is a task that every judge on every court faces.
Read More
Young lawyer and longtime friend create feature film
Indiana history buffs may remember Eugene V. Debs as the five-time Socialist candidate for president who, in 1918, represented himself in his own sedition trial, in defense of his anti-war statements. Now, two young filmmakers have added a new chapter to the life of the Terre Haute native, creating a fictional descendant – a hard-drinking grandson – who aims to become governor of Indiana.
Read More
Lawyers offer legal expertise in the political arena
Lawyers venturing into politics is not a new concept. But how much influence do those office-seeking or campaign-supporting attorneys and judges have on the political process, and does it really matter if people have a law degree as part of their background?
Read MoreFormer clerks recall a judge who gave support and kindness
The Hon. Robert H. Staton achieved many professional milestones in his lengthy career. But after his death on July 18, what people seemed to remember most about him was his enduring positive influence in their lives.
Read MoreIt is never too early to network
When Karen Murphy receives a resume, the first thing she does is ask around the office to see if anyone knows the applicant. Murphy, firm administrator for Drewry Simmons Vornehm, is one of many people who say that knowing the right people – and understanding how to talk to them – can offer new lawyers an advantage in a competitive job market.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Workers’ comp cases question line between employer liability and employee responsibility
In June, the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division, affirmed the finding of a workers’ compensation judge who ruled that a man whose wife died of a pulmonary embolism while working from home was entitled to workers’ compensation survivor benefits. In Renner v. AT&T, No. A-2393-10T3, a doctor admitted that other factors – including obesity – may have been risk factors for developing the fatal blood clot.
Read MoreIn BriefBack to Top
South Bend attorney pleads guilty to fraud charges
A northern Indiana attorney accused of aiding and abetting mail and wire fraud has pleaded guilty to all 13 counts listed in an information filed Monday.
Read More5K event to fight domestic violence set
The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence will host its annual 5K Race Away From Domestic Violence in Indianapolis this month to help raise awareness and money for its efforts to end abuse and violence.
Read MoreValparaiso professor to receive animal law award
Valparaiso University School of Law Professor Rebecca J. Huss will be given the Excellence in the Advancement of Animal Law Award at the American Bar Association’s annual meeting Aug. 6 in Toronto.
Read MoreSpecial SBack to Top
Lawyer lands winning in-house lottery job
When Andrew Klinger decided to take a job as corporate counsel for a state agency, he was essentially playing the odds like someone buying a lottery ticket.
Read MoreDisciplinary ActionsBack to Top
Disciplinary Actions – Aug. 3, 2011
Read about disciplinary actions filed by the Indiana Supreme Court in recent weeks.
Read MoreBar AssociationsBack to Top
Editorial: Personal jurisdiction theories still evolving
As most litigators know, in Asahi Metal v. Superior Court of Cal., 480 U.S. 102 (1987), a plurality of the Supreme Court embraced the stream-of-commerce theory of personal jurisdiction, which generally holds that if a manufacturer or distributor has sufficient knowledge and control of its distribution system, it can be sued in a state in which its products cause injury. Since Asahi Metal, the theory has evolved somewhat in federal and state appellate courts but had not been revisited by the Supreme Court.
Read MoreEditorial: DRI annual meeting features blockbuster speakers
DRI’s 16th Annual Meeting will be held in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 26 to 30 at the Marriott Wardman Park. DRI’s commitment to provide blockbuster speakers will reach an all-time high at this annual meeting.
Read MoreIBA: Insurance Practices in Commercial Real Estate Loans
Requesting appropriate insurance coverages and obtaining certificates of insurance verifying such coverages are in place may be one of the least understood, and thereby, among the most overlooked issues in commercial real estate loan transactions.
Read MoreIBA: New Law Restricts Access to Criminal Records
There is a misconception among even the most educated of criminal clients that arrests, charges and convictions disappear off of one’s Indiana criminal record after a passage of time. This is not the case.
Read MoreMichael J. Hebenstreit: Life Rushing By
Life moments. Some may be an accomplishment (winning a big trial), a disappointment, a funeral or a seemingly insignificant event. We all have them—some good, some not so good, but they are those events that for some reason stick with us for a lifetime.
Read MoreIBA: Providing Benefits to Same-Gender Partners Can Be Taxing
More than a dozen states and the District of Columbia now recognize same-sex relationships under various names, such as domestic partnerships, civil unions, or same-gender marriages.
Read MoreIBA: Trial Judges No Longer Required to Retire
I had this dream for retirement when I got elected judge: I would work until I was 68, near when I would be forced to retire by mandatory retirement (assuming the voters thought I was still doing a good job through each of my re-elections), fade off the scene to my boat on Lake Cumberland, maybe work in the winter part time as an usher or scorekeeper for the Pacers or Colts, read U.S. history books, see a musical or play every once in awhile, and generally ignore any pleas for money from my then-adult kids.
Read More