Disciplinary Actions: Jan. 1-March 31, 2023
Read a summary of disciplinary actions handed down by the Indiana Supreme Court during the first quarter of 2023.
Attorney Discipline
Articles
IN Supreme Court vacates 2 erroneous suspensions after grievance is filed against wrong attorney
The Indiana Supreme Court has vacated two suspension orders against an Indianapolis attorney after the court’s disciplinary commission learned that a grievance filed against the attorney had been meant for a lawyer with a similar name.
Indy attorney suspended for violating terms of disciplinary probation
An Indianapolis attorney who had been on probation since May 2021 now faces a suspension of at least one year for violating the terms of that probation, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled in a March 16 order.
Merrillville attorney convicted of child porn possession suspended 2 years; 2 justices vote for disbarment
A northwest Indiana attorney who last year pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography will be suspended from the practice of law for at least two years without automatic reinstatement. Two justices, however, voted in favor of disbarment.
Former Trump lawyer Ellis censured for falsehoods about election
Jenna Ellis, a former attorney for Donald Trump ‘s reelection campaign and a prominent conservative media figure, has been censured by Colorado legal officials after admitting she made repeated false statements about the 2020 presidential election.
Already-suspended attorney gets 2-year suspension with additional criminal cases pending
A northwestern Indiana attorney who is already under multiple suspension orders has been suspended again from the practice of law in Indiana for at least two years without automatic reinstatement for professional misconduct.
Attorney who pleaded guilty to child exploitation resigns from Indiana bar
A Boone County attorney currently incarcerated after pleading guilty to felony child exploitation has resigned from the Indiana bar.
IN Supreme Court issues public reprimand, partially stayed suspension in discipline orders
The Indiana Supreme Court has disciplined two attorneys, issuing a public reprimand to one while suspending the other for one month.
Ex-deputy prosecutor who listened in on privileged conversations gets conditional reinstatement after 4-year suspension
A northern Indiana ex-deputy prosecutor who was suspended from the practice of law for four years after listening in on two defendants’ privileged conversations has been conditionally reinstated to the Indiana bar.
Rokita under investigation by Disciplinary Commission for statements about Indiana doctor
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is under investigation by the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission in relation to his televised statements about the doctor who oversaw a medication abortion for a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio.
Former Lawrence Co. chief public defender resigns after deficient representation in rape case
The former chief public defender in Lawrence County has resigned from the Indiana bar after failing to effectively defend an accused rapist, including failing to take depositions of witnesses who had potentially exculpatory information.
Attorney who solicited sexual favors then tried to buy client’s silence resigns
A northern Indiana attorney has resigned from the Indiana bar after soliciting sexual favors from a client in exchange for a discount on attorney fees, then trying to bribe the client to keep quiet.
St. Joe probate judge Cichowicz facing discipline charges for alleged conduct as attorney, judge
St. Joseph Probate Judge Jason A. Cichowicz has been charged with seven counts of misconduct, including an allegation that he improperly leveraged his position as the trustee for a foundation to fund improvements to his court.
Disciplinary Actions: Oct. 1-Dec. 31, 2022
Read a summary of disciplinary actions handed down by the Indiana Supreme Court during the fourth quarter of 2022.
Indy lawyer disciplined for professional conduct violations
An Indianapolis attorney who failed to provide competent representation and communication to one of his clients has been suspended from practicing law in Indiana for 60 days, all stayed subject to his completion of at least one year of probation with JLAP monitoring.
Monticello attorney gets 3rd suspension
An already-suspended Monticello attorney who pleaded guilty last year to felony drug possession and who is now facing new felony and misdemeanor charges has once again been suspended from the practice of law in Indiana.
Northeastern Indiana attorney reinstated after suspension
Angola attorney Amanda R. German has been reinstated to the practice of law after being suspended last month for noncooperation with an investigation by the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission.
Wells Co. prosecutor publicly reprimanded after intervening between son, law enforcement
Wells County Prosecutor Andrew John Carnall has been publicly reprimanded after he improperly engaged with law enforcement during an incident involving his son this past summer.
Angola attorney suspended for noncooperation
An Angola attorney has been suspended from practicing law for not cooperating with the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission.
Former lawmaker, casino exec Keeler suspended from practicing law for 1 ½ years
A former Republican legislator currently in prison for filing a false tax return as part of a scheme that illegally funneled casino money into a failed 2016 congressional campaign has been suspended from practicing law in Indiana for at least a year and a half.