Ethanol producer blames Cloverdale plant closure on Trump EPA
The owner of a western Indiana ethanol plant is blaming its shutdown on the Trump administration allowing some refineries to not blend ethanol with gasoline as required under federal law.
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Are noncompetes overly broad?
This year, a group of unions, employment law attorneys and other labor organizations petitioned the Federal Trade Commission to ban noncompete agreements. But while there are some instances where a restrictive covenant can be too restrictive, experts say there are also instances where noncompete clauses are legitimate.
JW Marriott tax appeal survives motion to dismiss
The third appeal of a 2010 tax assessment against the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis has survived a motion to dismiss brought by the Marion County assessor.
Indiana couple sues Uber over fatal fight with Kentucky driver
An Indiana couple is suing Uber over a fatal fight with a Kentucky driver they say pulled a gun on them last summer.
In contamination case, 7th Circuit cleans up messy preclusion fight
Even though none of the businesses disagreed over who contaminated a manufacturing site, the question of who should pay for the cleanup became a fight over claim preclusion that ended with the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals offering instructions on how the lawsuit should have been defended.
Ruling for insurer in $78K hacking case reversed in part
The Indiana Court of Appeals partially affirmed an insurance company’s first award of judgment in a computer hacking theft but reversed on the second after finding no conflict between the appellant’s deposition testimony and a statement in his affidavit.
Judgment against car dealership upheld for customer in fraudulent sale
A Fort Wayne car dealership lost its appeal of a small-claims case against a woman who won a judgment arguing the dealership fraudulently sold her a car and forged her signature on transaction documents related to the sale.
One hack, 106 million people, Capital One ensnared by breach
A security breach at Capital One Financial, one of the nation’s largest issuers of credit cards, compromised the personal information of about 106 million people, and in some cases the alleged hacker, who has been arrested, obtained Social Security and bank account numbers.
RV manufacturer prevails against warranty breach claims
Although sympathetic toward a couple who bought an RV riddled with problems, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed an award of judgment for the RV’s manufacturer after finding no breach of the warranty or its provisions.
Steak n Shake makes $8M legal settlement, suffers downgraded credit rating
Indianapolis-based Steak n Shake Inc. has agreed to pay $8.35 million to settle two lawsuits that claimed the chain failed to pay managers for overtime hours they worked.
Soshnick: Debunking fiction? Tax affecting S corporation valuations in divorce cases
A recent case from a United States district court has garnered much notoriety and created major waves that may revive the important conceptual topic and signify broader acceptance of S corporation tax affecting in business valuations.
Cold beer safe, but is Indiana’s live-here, sell-here law on ice?
In late June, the U.S. Supreme Court notified Tennessee that it was last call for the state’s liquor sales residency requirement — a law similar to statutes on Indiana’s books.
Lilly general counsel among 2 departing senior executives
Eli Lilly and Co. announced Thursday that two of its top executives are leaving the company, including Mike Harrington, senior vice president and general counsel, who said he plans to retire at the end of the year.
Owner of former Scotty’s Brewhouse location sued over closure
The owner of the Southport location of Scotty’s Brewhouse, which closed abruptly in April, is facing a lawsuit over the closure.
7th Circuit strips judgment for Emmis, rules for insurer
A federal appeals court reversed a breach-of-contract ruling for media company Emmis Communications Corp. arising from a shareholder dispute. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the district court should have found in favor of Emmis’ insurer instead.
Real estate company sues law firm over HHGregg property deal gone awry
A Carmel-based real estate company has filed a lawsuit against Krieg DeVault, alleging the Indianapolis-based law firm’s failure to file a property deed in 2003 in a transaction involving defunct retailer HHGregg could now cost the real estate company millions of dollars.
Big business to Supreme Court: Defend LGBTQ people from bias
More than 200 corporations, including many of America’s best-known companies, are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to rule that federal civil rights law bans job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Allen County commissioners vote to ban swingers clubs
Commissioners in northeastern Indiana’s Allen County have voted to implement rules that would prohibit swingers clubs and other businesses involving live sex acts.
7th Circuit: Finish Line, resale company’s breach dispute rightly tossed
A shoe resale company couldn’t convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that its contract with Indianapolis-based Finish Line Inc. was breached, or that the language of the parties’ agreement was ambiguous and provided for an extension.
Land sale proceeds ordered released in long-running Bloomington dispute
The Monroe Circuit Court’s latest orders in a real estate dispute dating to 2002 were largely affirmed Friday, but the Indiana Court of Appeals ordered the trial court to release proceeds of a land sale that it had been retaining.