Suspended Warsaw attorney disbarred following theft, fraud conviction
A northern Indiana lawyer who was indefinitely suspended in March after he pleaded guilty to multiple felony theft charges was disbarred Wednesday by the Indiana Supreme Court.
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Read who has been reinstated, resigned or suspended from the practice of law in the most recent reporting period.
Case against Indy attorney to proceed after client wins reversal
An Indianapolis attorney being sued by a former client in a post-conviction relief case faced a reversal Monday after the Indiana Court of Appeals found that the client’s complaint alleging violations of certain canons of the Rules of Professional Conduct did not deprive the trial court of jurisdiction over the case.
Hearing officer: No discipline necessary for lawyer in Park Tudor sex scandal
Despite a finding that prominent Indianapolis employment attorney Michael Blickman violated an ethical rule in his handling of a student-teacher sex scandal at Park Tudor High School, the hearing officer in Blickman’s disciplinary case is not recommending any action against his law license.
Hill accusers revive harassment suit with claims against Indiana Legislature
The federal litigation stemming from the sexual misconduct allegations against Attorney General Curtis Hill has been revived, this time with the plaintiffs suing the Indiana Legislature rather than the state. Hill’s accusers are also indicating that they plan to appeal the dismissal of several federal claims.
Bell and Grass: 3 things: The ethics of working from home
Moving your office into your home can pose unique ethical concerns you may not have considered. James Bell and Stephanie Grass discuss three things you need to know about the ethics of working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fishers attorney gets stayed suspension for professional misconduct
Indiana Supreme Court justices have issued a 60-day stayed suspension for a Fishers attorney who acknowledged he failed to properly represent a client in a divorce case and mishandled another client’s workplace sexual harassment claim.
Attorney suspended for failure to disclose in bar exam application
An attorney who failed to disclose in his bar exam application complaints made against him has been suspended from the practice of law effective immediately, the Indiana Supreme Court announced Tuesday.
Indiana justices accept Kokomo lawyer’s resignation
Indiana Supreme Court justices on Tuesday accepted a veteran Howard County lawyer’s resignation.
Lawyer conditionally reinstated years after taking bar funds
The Indiana Supreme Court on Wednesday conditionally reinstated a former Marion County Bar Association treasurer who was suspended without automatic reinstatement six years ago after admitting to taking more than $9,100 from the organization.
Despite inadequate defense, COA denies relief in 1999 Indy merchant’s murder
A man convicted of slaying an Indianapolis storekeeper in 1999 lost his post-conviction relief appeal Wednesday, even as the appellate panel acknowledged his since-suspended defense counsel failed to properly investigate alternate suspects, among other shortcomings.
Disciplinary Commission offers attorneys ethical tips during COVID-19 crisis
Hoosier attorneys have been offered some ethical tips from the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission as lawyers statewide continue working remotely during the “new normal” caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Disciplinary Actions
Read which Indiana attorneys have been reprimanded or suspended from the practice of law during the most recent reporting period.
Johnson County lawyer suspended over trust account mismanagement
A 45-year attorney in Johnson County will be suspended briefly and then subject to a probationary period for improper oversight and management of his small firm’s trust accounts, the Indiana Supreme Court has ordered.
Suspension extended for Warsaw attorney guilty of fraud, theft
Indiana Supreme Court justices on Monday indefinitely suspended a Warsaw attorney who earlier this month pleaded guilty to multiple fraud and theft charges and agreed to repay more than $51,000 to his former law firm, clients and a bank.
Next steps unclear after dismissal of accusers’ suit against AG Hill
The four women who have accused Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill of sexual misconduct are considering their next steps after the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana dismissed their sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation claims against Hill and the state.
Hill again urges dismissal of groping-related attorney discipline case
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is continuing his fight to have his lawyer discipline case dismissed, writing in a brief to the Indiana Supreme Court that if he must be sanctioned, it should be no more than a reprimand. Hill is also drawing on the recent discipline of three Indiana judges involved in a downtown Indianapolis shooting to argue that the recommended discipline against him is unfair.
Bill that outlined requirement for ousting AG dies in last night of session
Despite a push from Indiana House lawmakers to clarify in state code whether Attorney General Curtis Hill could remain in office if his law license is suspended, state legislators failed to pass a bill before adjourning this year’s session Wednesday night.
Committee strips language that could remove AG Hill from office if suspended
A legislative amendment that would have disqualified from office an attorney general or candidate whose law license was suspended for 30 days or more has been stripped of key language removing disciplined AGs from office.
Attorney accused of tax evasion suspended; 2 justices would disbar
A Schererville attorney previously arraigned in federal court on charges of tax evasion and failure to pay federal income taxes has been suspended from the practice of law for three years without automatic reinstatement, the Indiana Supreme Court ordered Tuesday. Some of the justices, however, said they would disbar the attorney.