One of five suspensions lifted for Fort Wayne attorney
A Fort Wayne attorney’s suspension for noncooperation has been lifted, but Indiana Supreme Court justices say his remaining suspensions in several other cases will remain in effect.
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Muncie attorney gets 180-day suspension
A Muncie attorney previously convicted of drunken driving charges has been suspended from the practice of law for 180 days without automatic reinstatement for his professional misconduct, including his failure to reimburse lienholders, obtain consent from clients with conflicts of interest and give notice of his felony conviction.
Supreme Court suspends Indianapolis attorney for noncooperation
A suspended Indianapolis attorney has been hit with another order suspending him from the practice of law effective immediately for his noncooperation with the disciplinary commission’s investigation against him.
Manpower, technology changes impact low wiretap use
According to data released by the United States Courts, wiretapping in federal and state courts was down by a combined 23 percent in 2018 compared to 2017. Likewise in Indiana, federal and state courts authorized 75 wiretaps in 2017, but only 46 in 2018, according to the data. Experts say staffing and law enforcement resources, as well as the cyclical ebb and flow of complex surveillance work account for the decline.
Appellate court reverses TPR for speculative incarceration
A Vigo County father’s parental rights must be restored, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled, finding evidence that he might be incarcerated for several years insufficient to support a termination order.
Grandma’s visitation order vacated after parents’ marriage
A grandmother fighting to keep a visitation order for her out-of-wedlock grandchildren failed to persuade an Indiana Court of Appeals panel to rule in her favor. Instead, the panel concluded grandparent visitation orders do not survive the subsequent marriage of the natural parents of a child born out of wedlock.
Justices reprimand lawyer who failed to file appeal
A suspended Fort Wayne attorney who previously failed to timely file a client’s appeal with a federal agency, ultimately leading to the claim’s dismissal after another attorney unsuccessfully tried to remedy the timeliness issue, has been publicly reprimanded by the Indiana Supreme Court.
Southern District bans on pro se prison filer for ‘pattern of dishonesty’
A pro se prisoner and serial litigator has been barred from making additional civil filings in the Southern District of Indiana unless he pays nearly $5,000 in filing fees. A judge also raised the possibility of a perjury referral for any future violations.
‘An amazing opportunity’: Rule change benefits nonlawyer assistants
A rule change is creating opportunities for freelance paralegals and other nonlawyer assistants, but some attorneys have concerns that the revisions could impose new gray areas for legal professionals who use such services.
District Court: IPS must face teacher’s age discrimination claims
A former Indianapolis Public Schools teacher’s age discrimination claims will proceed against her former employer after a district court judge determined that a factfinder could conclude that IPS failed to hire her because of her age.
Ex-prosecutor Cooper suspended after guilty pleas
Former Johnson County Prosecutor Bradley Cooper has been suspended from the practice of law in Indiana after being sentenced on three felony domestic battery charges last month.
Supreme Court issues amended child support guidelines
Amendments made to Indiana’s Child Support Guidelines have been issued by the Indiana Supreme Court following a request for public comment earlier this year.
Denial of last-minute public defender request upheld
A man who was convicted of domestic battery after being denied his request for a public defender has failed to convince the Indiana Court of Appeals that his 11th-hour request for counsel should have been granted.
Justices to hear car dealer fee class action, clerk corruption case
The Indiana Supreme Court agreed to hear two cases last week including a class action against a Mishawaka car dealership. The court rejected about four dozen other appeal petitions, including a child in need of services case that sparked outspoken division between the justices.
Charlestown zoo owner must keep big cats during animal-rights case
A federal judge is doubling down on an animal-rights ruling that prohibits the owners of a southern Indiana zoo from moving its large cats out of its possession, though the judge stopped short of issuing sanctions for an alleged failure to follow that order.
Carmel attorney’s misrepresentation leads to 180-day suspension
A Carmel attorney has been suspended from the practice of law for 180 days for engaging in dishonest and fraudulent representation of a client before and after the client fired him.
South Bend attorney’s discipline converted to indefinite suspension
The Indiana Supreme Court has moved to indefinitely suspend a South Bend attorney who was suspended earlier this year for her noncooperation with a disciplinary investigation of a grievance against her.
Florida IP attorney’s referral agreement results in Indiana suspension
A Florida intellectual property attorney who represented Indiana clients has been suspended from the practice of law for 30 days for failing to disclose to clients that his firm was pursuing patents under an agreement with another company that charged clients to develop, protect and market their inventions.
Justices amend rules of judicial conduct, bar admission
Several amendments to various Indiana rules made by the Indiana Supreme Court were introduced announced in orders issued Thursday.
Disciplinary Actions
Read who has recently been suspended, placed on probation and reinstated to the practice of law in Indiana.