Judge rules for Kokomo, Battle Ground in police pursuit crash suit
A judge has ruled in favor of two northern Indiana communities facing a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the father of a 15-year-old boy who died in a crash during a police pursuit.
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Indiana moves student count to delay school funding question
The Indiana State Board of Education approved a method to maintain funding for schools reopening virtually this fall after warnings from lawmakers last month of possible cuts.
State launching new guidelines for schools during pandemic
One month after Indiana schools reopened their doors for in-person classes, state officials are releasing new recommendations for school operations and potential closures during the coronavirus pandemic.
CDC directs halt to renter evictions to prevent virus spread
The Trump administration has issued a directive halting the eviction of certain renters though the end of 2020 to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Renters covered through the executive order must meet four criteria in eviction cases.
Web Exclusive: Young lawyers say hefty student loans limit life after graduation
A recent survey of nearly 1,100 young lawyers found that many new attorneys are making major financial, personal and career sacrifices as a result of their student loans. That includes decisions ranging from marriage and children to making big purchases or taking vacations. The survey hits home for many young Indiana lawyers.
Stretched to serve in ‘legal deserts’
Although there are more than 1.3 million attorneys in the United States, “legal deserts” can be found across vast expanses of the country and all over Indiana, according to a recent report from the American Bar Association.
Farm feud: CAFO challenge turns to U.S. Supreme Court
Hendricks County families who live with the odor from a nearby 8,000-hog farm for years have lost their nuisance, negligence and trespass claims against the concentrated animal feeding operation. After unsuccessfully seeking relief from the Indiana Court of Appeals and a divided Indiana Supreme Court, they are now turning to the U.S. Supreme Court.
New Title IX rule brings change
In a 90-day sprint, colleges and universities across the country have had to spend the summer developing and implementing new processes for handling allegations of sexual misconduct on their campuses, but the schools must wait and see whether all the work will repair a system perceived as unfair and unjust.
New law for a new century: NEPA ‘modernization’ could limit public input on environmental impacts, lawyers say
For the last 50 years, Americans have had a say in how these projects impacted their neighborhoods through the National Environmental Policy Act. But environmental groups and lawyers have concerns that could change under a new Trump Administration rule set to take effect this week.
Serve and protect: Shooting of federal judge’s family sparks safety reform recommendations
After the shooting of a district judge’s son and husband at her home in New Jersey, Hoosier federal jurists say they live daily with the reality of threats to their safety. The judicial Conference has adopted a series of recommendations aimed at safeguarding the federal bench.
McKinney experts offer ‘roadmap’ to control COVID-19
To put it mildly, the year of COVID-19 has been a time of uncertainty. That’s why a group of law professors, including two from Indianapolis, has been working since March to shine a light on the role the law plays in a national emergency.
7th Circuit’s reasoning in Purdue sex misconduct case getting nod
The lawsuit against Purdue University for expelling a male student after finding him guilty of sexual misconduct, which was the first such Title IX case to be heard by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, is continuing to be litigated while the appellate decision is gaining a following in other circuits.
IndyBar: Schools’ Obligations and Special Education in the Age of COVID-19
The world has changed and the world of public education has been forced to change along with it. The reassuring thing for families is that while the world of education has changed, the laws as to what must be provided for children with special needs have not.
Quick: Law firms embrace new ways to communicate during COVID-19
While once it was almost imperative that lawyers needed to meet in person with clients, that is not necessarily the case anymore. Many law firms have embraced newer platforms to keep in touch, including all forms of social media. That’s a good thing and will be used long after this pandemic is over.
Bont: White-collar prosecutions decline amid COVID-19 pandemic
The onset and continuation of COVID-19 distancing precautions has led to fewer criminal prosecutions in general and fewer “white collar” prosecutions in particular. White collar criminal investigations are dependent upon search warrants for business records, witness cooperation and grand jury testimony. It shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone that witnesses are even less welcoming of government agents into their homes and offices (and government agents are certainly less inclined to make such visits) at this time.
Dreyer: Question while working remotely — Will we ever meet again?
The pandemic has become a mother of invention. But when we return, as we are all committed, to whatever “new normal,” let’s pledge as much “in-person” as the ongoing 21st century court system will allow.
Indiana Court Decisions – Aug. 13-26, 2020
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the most recent reporting period.
DTCI: 3 insights for retaining and supporting women lawyers
I genuinely believe that law firms and organizations are committed to retaining and supporting women. To that end, I offer the following insight to individuals seeking to support the success of their women colleagues.
Sugarman and Thomas: Nonstick coating emerging as a sticky regulatory problem
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has identified PFAS as an “emerging contaminant.” The agency has released two peer-reviewed documents addressing health impacts posed by the chemicals. EPA also listed PFOA and PFOS on its Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) — which means they are now subject to regulatory decision making and information collection.
Hammerle on … Court humor: The sequel
I thought I would revisit a few court stories that hopefully you will find a bit amusing. Good grief, maybe we can laugh our way out of this lousy pandemic shutdown.