Big law - The Indiana Lawyer

Laterals remain prized law firm commodity, but offices also tapping new attorneys

January 22, 2019

Six intellectual property attorneys walked out of one law firm, boarded the elevator in their downtown Indianapolis office building and pushed the button for a competing law firm on the 19th floor. Thus, Frost Brown Todd last month bolstered its Indianapolis IP practice group by luring the entire intellectual property team from SmithAmundsen’s Indiana office. The move underscored what law firms say is a competitive job market where experienced lawyers are the hottest commodity.

Former Rep. Messer joins Faegre Baker Daniels

January 15, 2019

Former Indiana Congressman Luke Messer has joined Faegre Baker Daniels Consulting as a principal in Washington, D.C., where he will advise businesses and other entities across the nation on federal regulatory and policy developments.

Ex-nursing home CEO wants convictions tossed because of Barnes’ ‘profound conflict of interest’

January 14, 2019

The ringleader in one of the largest corporate-fraud cases in Indiana in recent years is asking a judge to throw out his felony convictions on the grounds that his legal team at the Indianapolis law firm Barnes & Thornburg failed to disclose a “profound conflict of interest.”

Web Exclusive: Women lawyers find freedom owning law firms

November 27, 2018 | Katie Stancombe

Indianapolis attorney Yasmin Stump is among women lawyers who made a change to regain control over the time she spent in the workplace and become the ultimate decision maker in their careers. Stump and others chose to take a risk and open her their practices.

Report: Law firms fail at collecting client satisfaction feedback

November 27, 2018

According to a new report, only 4 percent of nearly 2,000 lawyers surveyed regularly collect formal client feedback in the form of surveys, interviews, etc., to measure client satisfaction. The dearth of law firm client satisfaction data complicates business development and referral prospects.

Law firm concerns factor in Bono’s USA Gymnastics departure

October 17, 2018

When former California Congresswoman Mary Bono took over as the interim president for USA Gymnastics last week, she pointed to the opportunity to "reconnect" with a sport she loved growing up. But Bono stepped down on Tuesday, with some criticizing her employment with Faegre Baker Daniels, the firm that had represented USAG during a period when gymnasts were accusing former Dr. Larry Nassar of sexual misconduct.

Gary mayor, IP practice chair carrying on Shirley’s legacy

September 21, 2018

One has realized her dream of being mayor of her hometown and the other is leading in a legal field that has typically attracted more men than women. Neither likes the spotlight, preferring to share any recognition, but both are credited with carving new paths for women and mentoring the next generation.

Taft rolls out 24/7 care initiative as firms study family needs

September 4, 2018

Law firms are recognizing the personal and professional responsibilities that compete for attorneys' attention and finding ways to address those needs, including providing services such as around-the-clock family care for children and aging parents.

Fighting fear, stigma of impairment due to mental health issues

August 21, 2018

Legal employers interested in helping colleagues impaired by issues such as substance abuse, depression or cognitive degeneration now have a versatile toolkit they can customize to meet the needs of their attorney and the organization.

Attorneys must be mindful of how they discard digital technology

August 7, 2018

Just as an attorney would shred outdated paper documents, contacts stored in a cellphone and files on a hard drive must be kept private when the old devices are discarded.

5 firms with Hoosier ties make ‘60 Best Law Firms for Women’ list

August 7, 2018

Five law firms with ties to Indiana have been named among Working Mother’s list of the 60 best for women nationwide.

Hoosier law firms promoting women leadership before, after #MeToo

August 7, 2018

Across Indianapolis, women were being tapped to lead their law firms before the #MeToo movement, either as practice group chairs, committee leaders, managing partners or a combination. But the movement has sparked additional conversations in their law firms, giving credence to gender equality efforts that were already in place.

Barnes & Thornburg lawyers filling Indiana federal judiciary

July 24, 2018

When the White House nominated Hoosier Damon Leichty to a federal district judgeship, it was the second time the Trump Administration has chosen an attorney working at Barnes & Thornburg LLP in Indiana to fill a judicial vacancy.

Taft law firm hit with complaint for alleged Ohio conflict

June 29, 2018

Following its investigation into an allegation of sexual misconduct by a powerful Ohio state legislator, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP is now the subject of a grievance filed with the Ohio Supreme Court for failing to disclose that the legislator had previously worked for the law firm for more than 30 years until 2014.

Indiana Senate leader Long joins Ice Miller

June 15, 2018

In advance of his retirement from the Indiana Statehouse in November, Senate President Pro Tem David Long, R-Fort Wayne, will be joining Ice Miller LLP as a partner today. Long, who has a law office in Fort Wayne and serves as general counsel for Pizza Hut, will practice in the firm’s Public Affairs Group.

Working hard or hardly working: Survey says half of partners not busy

June 12, 2018

It’s frustrating for any high-performing employee: You’re glued to your computer, fingers furiously flying across the keyboard to finish your report, brief or project. Then you look over and see a co-worker chatting with a friend, playing on their phone or scrolling through their Facebook feed, seemingly without a care or a deadline to meet.

As mergers surge, Indiana law firms not finding suitors

April 4, 2018

The legal industry continued two trends in the first quarter of 2018 — the white-hot pace of law firm combinations is getting hotter, and none of the acquisitions involved a firm either based in Indiana or with an office in the Hoosier state.

IU McKinney, U.S. attorney’s office sponsor post-incarceration job fair

April 4, 2018

The Community-Wide Job Fair and Resource Fair on Friday aims to make the transition from prison to employment a bit easier with the help of attorneys and law students, among others.

Ex-partners, Krieg DeVault settle compensation lawsuit

April 3, 2018

Three former Krieg DeVault LLP partners who sued the firm alleging they were denied compensation when they moved to new firms — and then faced a countersuit from their former employer — have confidentially settled the litigation, court records show.

As state allows for professional licenses, long-term national DACA solution remains elusive

April 3, 2018

With all this uncertainty, one thing DACA recipients won’t have to worry about anymore — in Indiana, at least — is obtaining state professional licenses. Gov. Eric Holcomb signed Senate Enrolled Act 419 on March 21, which allowed “Dreamers” to apply for professional certifications.

Articles