OCT. 9-OCT. 22, 2013
It is rare that members of northern Indiana’s Amish communities have a need for legal representation. When they do, they turn to a neighbor they know and trust. Read more about lawyers who've carved a niche for representing Amish clients in IL's North/Central Indiana Spotlight story. Indiana courts are grappling with how to comply with a statutory requirement to use psychiatrists for insanity evaluations when there seems to be a shortage of qualified and willing professionals in some areas. The Legislature's Commission on Courts is studying the issue. And don't miss continuing coverage of the debate surrounding legal education in America. Former Chief Justice Randall Shepard recently gave his perspective during a talk at Notre Dame Law School.
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Amish advocates
It is rare that members of northern Indiana’s Amish communities have a need for legal representation. When they do, they turn to a neighbor they know and trust.
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More dialogue over law school cost and curriculum
Tucked along the hallway in Biolchini Hall of the University of Notre Dame Law School is an office that reflects the new focus – and the new struggle – of legal education. It is the Office of Career Development with a sleek interior of sliding doors, computers and conference rooms, and it is designed to help students get jobs once they get their law degrees.
Read MoreAnnual survey finds law school admissions and applications continue to be down
A majority of law schools across the United States are cutting their admissions for the second year in a row, and a significant portion expect to continue the reduction in class size next year, according to the 2013 Kaplan Test Prep law school survey released Oct. 1.
Read MoreSupreme Court vacates transfer in Star commenter case
The Indianapolis Star has signaled an intent to comply with a court order to identify an anonymous online commenter whose remarks about a former Junior Achievement leader are part of a defamation lawsuit, according to an attorney representing the former executive.
Read MoreIndiana courts grappling with requirement to use psychiatrists in insanity evaluations
Although members of the Indiana Legislature’s Commission on Courts appeared to be skeptical of a proposal to revise the statute concerning insanity evaluations, their concerns may be trumped by the need to be pragmatic.
Read MoreGuardian registry pilot to launch
Indiana soon could break new ground with the introduction of one of the nation’s first databases of guardians and their wards. The development is raising hopes for improved oversight of vulnerable populations along with concerns about their privacy.
Read More1-year suspension recommended for criticizing judge
Indianapolis attorney and blogger Paul K. Ogden should be suspended from the bar for a year without automatic reinstatement for private communications criticizing a judge, according to the Indiana Disciplinary Commission.
Read MoreCourt rules for widow in Holiday World suit
The widow and children of the late William Koch Jr. can keep their shares in the southern Indiana theme park, Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari, after a ruling by the Indiana Court of Appeals concluded that William’s brother, Dan Koch, and Koch Development Corp. offered too little money for the shares.
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Attorney emerges as leader in international adoptions
Michele Jackson marched into an internship in 1999 hoping to deliver a swift blow to international injustices against women and children. The 24-year-old Indiana University law student didn’t realize how unpleasant the topics would be.
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Incoming ISBA president sets communication at top of agenda
Jim Dimos, partner at Frost Brown Todd LLC and the next president of the Indiana State Bar Association, wants to lead by listening and engaging bar association members and non-members from around the state to not only tell them what the organization offers but also to hear what more the association can do.
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ISBA’s Mentor Match pairs experienced lawyers with law grads to facilitate transition into practice
Passing the bar. The term, for most, refers to passing a test, but the word “bar” has a number of legal meanings. Its origin, for example, referred to an actual bar or partition that separated the working and public areas of a courtroom. For those studying law, passing the bar exam is the only way to jump that bar, the only way to gain admittance to that most sacred of legal territories. Yet many new lawyers find that admittance and belonging are two different things. Armed with law degrees and a license to practice, they really need help with the “how to” part of being a lawyer.
Read MoreISBA outstanding achievements recognized
At the Indiana State Bar Association’s Awards Luncheon, the ISBA recognizes individuals for their tireless efforts and outstanding achievements. See who was honored this year.
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Social media and Section 7 rights: employers under fire
Bose McKinney & Evans attorneys David Swider and Philip Zimmerly write about rights of employers in the age of social media.
Read MoreDean’s Desk: Third year offers students opportunity to define, hone skills
Our profession is in the midst of an important conversation about legal education – one that encompasses the costs of that education, the employment opportunities for entry-level lawyers, and the curriculum that law schools offer.
Read MoreTechnology Untangled: Versatile conference calling available with Spiderphone
Spiderphone sounds like the hotline for that imaginary masked superhero. It is, instead, a useful and inexpensive Web-assisted telephone conferencing system that makes it easy to set up and conduct multiple-caller speakerphone meetings.
Read MoreLiving Fit: Stress management involves learning to control reactions
As a young lawyer, I had a recurring dream in which I had moved to a remote mountain cabin, deep in a wooded forest, with majestic mountains in my backyard and a waterfall that fed into a crystal clear lake in my front yard. I awoke each day to the sunrise, fresh mountain air and the energy of the calm environment. There were no phones, computers, demanding clients, irritated family members, traffic or boring social commitments. No stress. I felt relaxed, at peace and calm, thinking about this wonderful life.
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Editor’s perspective: Police do it right in honoring officer killed in the line of duty
On Sept. 26, I had a birds-eye view of the funeral procession honoring fallen Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Officer Rod Bradway. From IBJ Media’s second-story windows at the corner of Washington Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, my co-workers and I watched throughout the day as officers from jurisdictions throughout the state and Midwest arrived to show their support.
Read MoreHammerle on: “Instructions Not Included,” “Inequality for All”
Read attorney Bob Hammerle’s latest movie reviews.
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Indiana Court Decisions: Sept. 18 to Oct. 1, 2013
Read about Indiana’s appellate court decisions from Sept. 18 to Oct. 1.
Read MoreDisciplinary ActionsBack to Top
Disciplinary Actions – Oct. 9, 2013
Read about disciplinary actions issued by the Supreme Court.
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DTCI: Navigating Common Issues in UIM Litigation
Many defense attorneys are eventually pulled into the love triangle of underinsured litigation. Like any good drama, underinsured cases are multifaceted and involve a bizarre set of twists and relationships.
Read MoreBlomquist – Using Your Powers for Good: Build Your Practice with Pro Bono
October is Pro Bono Awareness Month, so it makes sense for me to focus this column on pro bono work. Before your eyes glaze over and you start looking for pictures of people you know elsewhere in this publication, stick with me for a minute. Sure, there are the obvious warm and fuzzy “volunteer to save the world” arguments for practicing pro bono publico service, and if you know my professional history, you know I believe them all. I think I am as warm and fuzzy and altruistic as I can be while still making my mortgage payments. I believe that doing pro bono work increases your engagement, satisfaction and longevity in this profession and that in turns benefits us in all ways long term.
Read MoreIndyBar – Around the Bar: Something for Everyone at the IndyBar!
Read about recent happenings at the IndyBar!
Read MoreIndyBar: Hon. Tanya Walton Pratt Named Recipient of 2013 Antoinette Dakin Leach Award
The Hon. Tanya Walton Pratt, United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, will be recognized as the 2013 Antoinette Dakin Leach Award recipient at the Antoinette Dakin Leach Award Celebration Luncheon on October 25. The luncheon is being held in conjunction with the Women & the Law Division’s Women, Law & Leadership Symposium, which will be held Thursday, October 24 through Friday, October 25.
Read MoreIndyBar – Help Others and Get Free CLE: IndyBar to Co-Host Pro Bono Trainings
The IndyBar Pro Bono Standing Committee, along with other legal and community organizations, will co-host two pro bono program trainings in the coming weeks. These trainings, which include continuing legal education credit, can be taken at no cost with a commitment to take on pro bono cases.
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