Dec. 26, 2018-Jan. 6, 2019
Indiana Lawyer takes a look back at the year's top legal news of 2018 — a year that was dominated by the sexual misconduct allegations against Attorney General Curtis Hill and the continuing aftermath. Hoosier lawyers who work with out-of-state companies or in arrangements the state views as “license rentals" could face potential disciplinary consequences. As scooter crashes and injuries mount, so do questions about liability and whether the state should regulate the new mode of transportation.
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Year in Review: Hill sexual misconduct scandal top legal news story of 2018
Indiana Lawyer’s top story of 2018 began inside an Indianapolis bar in the cool early-morning hours of Thursday, March 15. Attorney General Curtis Hill had had a few drinks. A few too many, several witnesses would later claim.
Read MoreYear in Review: Top Indiana Lawyer web headlines for 2018
Here are the 50 most-read stories written by the Indiana Lawyer staff and posted online in 2018, based on page views through Dec. 10 provided by Google Analytics. Click the links to read the full stories.
Read MoreYear in Review: Attorney discipline orders drop, but major misconduct cases tarnish profession
The rare subset of attorney discipline cases brought by the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission are the result of criminal charges against lawyers that could result in jail time. In that regard, the Hoosier State had plenty, even as total attorney discipline orders declined in 2018.
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Year in Review: Fascinating faces of 2018
Indiana lawyers’ pursuits outside the office span the globe but also hit close to home. Here are some of the great stories we shared in 2018 about attorneys and folks in the legal community doing remarkable things.
Read MoreBad business: Disciplinary Commission warns of ‘license rentals’
The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission addressed such questionable relationships in an advisory opinion that cautions Hoosier attorneys against “license rental” partnerships with out-of-state law firms or non-lawyer service groups. Through these partnerships, Hoosier attorneys lend their services to the out-of-state firm or non-lawyer group in exchange for a fee paid for limited client representation in Indiana.
Read MoreLawyers face scooter liability confusion; bill seeks regulations
As scooter accidents mount, liability has become a significant issue for lawyers representing clients involved in crashes, and at least one lawmaker has proposed statewide regulations.
Read MoreDCS, schools seeking more funds in 2019 legislative session
Among the biggest issues the 2019 General Assembly will have to contend with is the Department of Child Services, which is still reeling after a tumultuous year that saw a leader abruptly resign and a national group identify several shortcomings in the department’s operations. Gov. Eric Holcomb is calling on lawmakers to devote significant financial resources to the struggling department, and all four legislative leaders say their caucuses plan to make DCS a top priority.
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After heartbreak, Evansville’s public law library writing next chapter
At any time during the week, members of the public, pro se litigants and attorneys find their way into the Evansville public law library and quickly turn a quiet day into a busy one.
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Stafford: Resolve to honor attorneys who honor the law
In this season of reflection, I hope you’ll think about friends and colleagues who live up to and exceed the legal profession’s loftiest ideals. Think of those who embody the very best of what it means to be a great lawyer. Those are the people we seek to honor in Indiana Lawyer’s 2019 Leadership in Law Awards.
Read MoreEye on the Profession: Let’s take ‘good’ and make it even better in 2019
My pitch to you this week is simple. Let’s all break out of the daily routine in which we do things the same way every day. Instead, let’s be mindful of our niche in the law and resolve to practice law better. Let’s resolve to make our profession and our communities better.
Read MoreTechnology Untangled: Videoconferencing made easier with Zoom
I was recently asked to facilitate an IP videoconferencing deposition with an ophthalmologist. He was located close to our office, so the plan was for him to come to us. However, his schedule was so tight that the plan changed. Could we do the videoconference from his office? With Zoom and a laptop, yes, we could. I packed up a camera, microphone and computer and went to his office to perform a test.
Read MoreMaley book review: Unique litigation treatise gets valuable updates
In reviewing the most recent edition of “Business and Commercial Litigation in Federal Courts,” John Maley writes that no other book gives such practical and integrated treatment to procedural and substantive law in areas frequently encountered by federal commercial litigators.
Read MoreHammerle on… “Mary, Queen of Scots,” “The Favourite”
Movie reviewer Robert Hammerle comes away with conflicting views about two period pieces focusing on royalty.
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Disciplinary Actions – 12/26/18
Read who has resigned and who has been reprimanded during the most recent reporting period.
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IndyBar: Harrell Guest Column — Looking for Something More
This time of year is ripe for thinking about our successes and challenges — and our hope for things to come. It is also a time to express gratitude and appreciation for friends and supporters who selflessly open doors for others. As the Marion County Bar Association’s incoming president, I say “thank you” to outgoing IndyBar president James Bell and Executive Director Julie Armstrong for reaching out to MCBA’s current president, Carlton Martin, and shining a light on the MCBA at such a pivotal moment in our history.
Read MoreIndyBar Mourns Loss of Past President Gary Klotz
The IndyBar is saddened to note the passing of 2004 Indianapolis Bar Association President Gary Klotz on Sunday, December 16. Klotz, a longtime partner at Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP, was admitted to the bar in 1978 and had retired from the firm at the end of 2017.
Read MoreIndyBar: Indianapolis Bar Foundation Recognizes 2018 Fellows
The Indianapolis Bar Foundation expresses sincere gratitude to the 2018 Distinguished Fellows and Distinguished Life Fellows for their long and continuing support of our profession and community.
Read MoreDTCI: The art of witness deposition prep, according to Sun Tzu
“The Art of War,” a 2,000-year-old analysis of battle preparation and strategy, remains perhaps the most widely read book on strategy in the world. Sun Tzu’s theories have been successfully applied in business, politics and sports, and they are no less useful and effective in the “battlefield” of litigation.
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