MARCH 15-28, 2023
You've heard of the Uniform Bar Exam, but what about the “Bar of the District Court for the United States"? In our lead story for this issue, Indiana Lawyer reporter Alexa Shrake reports on a movement to standardize bar admission at the federal court level. Meanwhile, at the state level, the Indiana Legislature has hit the halfway point of the 2023 legislative session. We have a look at which bills survived the first half of session, and which will need to be resurrected to become law. And in the Employment Law Focus, new IL managing editor Daniel Carson dives into the federal and state movements against noncompete agreements. Read those stories and more in the March 15-28, 2023, issue of Indiana Lawyer.
Top StoriesBack to Top
One admission for all: Push for standardized federal bar admission gaining traction
A proposal submitted to the Judicial Conference’s Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure last month provides for the creation of a “Bar of the District Court for the United States.”
Read MoreMisdemeanor funding coming back to defenders? Public defender offices hoping for restoration of misdemeanor reimbursement funding
As staff shortages collide with overflowing caseloads, chief public defenders around the state are keeping a close eye on new funding proposed by Gov. Eric Holcomb that would reimburse public defender offices for handling misdemeanor cases.
Read More
Halfway point: A look at key legislation in 2nd half of 2023 session
Here is an update on key legislation affecting not only lawyers, but all Hoosiers statewide. Updates are as of March 10.
Read MoreAfter effects: Post-COVID, bar pass rates dip for first-time takers in 2022 as scores level out
The American Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar recently released pass rates for first-time test takers in 2022, showing a 9 percentage point drop from 2020 and a slightly smaller decline from 2019 before the pandemic.
Read More
Proponents of increased juror pay bill point to better engagement
As it stands now, the pay to show up for jury selection is $15 per day. Those chosen to serve on a jury earn $40 per day, which comes out to $5 an hour for an eight-hour day. Legislation making its way through the Statehouse would double that pay.
Read More
Web Exclusive: Cameras in court: The people behind new order allowing cameras at judge’s discretion
After decades of pilot projects and repeated denials, a rule change effective May 1 will enable requests to become reality: cameras in Indiana trial courtrooms.
Read MoreIndiana Court Decisions: Feb. 22-March 8, 2023
Read Indiana appellate court decisions for the most recent reporting period.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Finding freedom? Noncompete agreements facing stiff challenges on state, federal level
Noncompete agreements are taking center stage in the Indiana Statehouse and on the federal level this year.
Read MoreLoeffler and Trachtman: What COVID taught us about remote work, accommodations
Employees whose requests for work-from-home accommodations were previously denied as unreasonable pushed back after the pandemic, citing the ability to perform job functions at home as well as — or in some cases better than — in the office.
Read MoreTownsend: Employers must heed rights of pregnant, breastfeeding workers
Federal laws passed at the close of 2022 have enhanced the rights of pregnant and breastfeeding workers.
Read MoreKilies and Ben Moussa: FTC proposal to ban noncompetes: What employers need to know
What should employers do with any noncompete provisions they currently have in their employment contracts?
Read MorePettygrove: Determining proper comparators in ‘disparate punishment’ cases
Employees who feel they’ve been “singled out” for termination or other workplace discipline are prime candidates to become plaintiffs in an employment discrimination suit. But inconsistent discipline — even discharge — isn’t necessarily unlawful.
Read MoreJohnson: IN employers rethink policies to compete with other states
Indiana’s laissez faire approach to employers makes our state a business-friendly place to operate. However, in recent years, our neighboring states have enacted laws that mandate greater benefits and protections than those available to many Hoosier employees.
Read MoreHollis: The ministerial exception: Past and future rulings
Religious entities enjoy constitutional and statutory exemptions from a variety of employment laws. Recent cases in Indiana and across the country are challenging the applicability and scope of these exemptions.
Read MoreOpinionBack to Top
DTCI: Legislature updates Indiana Worker’s Compensation Act
During the last legislative session, the Indiana Worker’s Compensation Act received several updates, most of which have taken effect. This article highlights the changes made to the act and the date the amendments are effective.
Read MoreOchoa: Recognizing IU Maurer alumnae who have made a difference
From their seats in the Kathleen and Ann DeLaney Moot Court Room, admitted students look to the front of the room where they see the portraits of four trailblazing alumnae who have made indelible marks on the judiciary.
Read MoreHammerle on… “To Leslie” and “M3GAN”
Indianapolis criminal defense attorney Robert Hammerle gives us his take on “To Leslie” and “M3GAN.”
Read MoreBar AssociationsBack to Top
IndyBar: ESG and Sustainability Matter … What Does That Mean?
Winds of change swirl often; however, certain “evolutionary gusts” seem particularly persistent right now.
Read MoreIndyBar: Championing Small Town America: How to address the rural attorney shortage with private innovation
We have all heard about the dire shortage of rural attorneys. While many are calling for new government programs or top-down fixes, the solution may be something much simpler, private and market driven.
Read MoreIndyBar: Step Away from Your Desk with the Foundation
The IndyBar Foundation Visibility Committee is excited to announce some upcoming events.
Read MoreIndyBar: Practice Toolkit: ‘Service Charge: Your Law Firm Isn’t a Bank, So Stop Acting Like It Is’
Law firms have traditionally extended credit to clients by billing in arrears. But let’s be honest: That’s not a client-facing model.
Read More