Supreme Court names Forkner as new CAO
The Indiana Supreme Court has named a new chief administrative officer, succeeding the former CAO who abruptly resigned earlier this year.
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New lawyers reminded of civility, service and family at admission ceremony
Emphasizing civility and community service, Indiana state and federal judges along with other members of the legal profession welcomed nearly 300 new attorneys to the practice of law Tuesday as part of the Indiana Supreme Court Admission Ceremony.
Appellate court affirms summary judgment for rental property owner in insurance dispute
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the grant of summary judgment to a rental property owner involved in an insurance dispute following a house fire of one of her rental properties after finding a garage that was damaged in the fire should have been covered under the property’s insurance policy.
COA affirms denial of ineffective counsel PCR claim
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed Tuesday the denial of a man’s successive petition for post-conviction relief, finding the man’s trial attorney’s strategy was not constitutionally ineffective.
Disciplinary Actions
Read who has been found in contempt, reinstated, reprimanded and suspended in the most recent reporting period.
Multi-jurisdictional estate planning requires research, collaboration
Every year like clockwork, when the leaves change and the temperature drops, thousands of Indiana residents flee the bitter Hoosier winter in favor of a warmer southern climate. Most often, these snowbirds find themselves wintering in Florida, and many decide to permanently relocate to the Sunshine State. While this decision to relocate is beneficial to […]
Suspended attorney facing theft charges in Delaware, Franklin, Lawrence counties
A suspended Indiana lawyer accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from disabled and special needs clients was arrested and held without bond in the Johnson County Jail earlier this month after authorities in at least two counties issued warrants for his arrest.
2 convicted in killings of 3 during drug-related robbery
Two young men have been convicted in connection with the 2017 drug-related robbery and fatal shootings of three men in an Indianapolis apartment. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office announced Monday that Troy Ward was convicted of c three counts of murder and three counts of felony murder, while Martell Williams was convicted of charges including three counts of felony murder, among other convictions for both.
Podcast on U.S. Supreme Court launches just as upheaval begins
Originally wanting to create a podcast about the Supreme Court of the United States, Indiana University Maurer School of Law professor Ian Samuel inadvertently proved, again, that timing is everything.
Indiana child welfare agency to spend $22M on raises
The Indiana Department of Child Services is spending $22 million on raises for staff as part of an effort to improve the agency that’s seen rising caseloads and internal battles. The raises will take effect Wednesday for more than 3,600 employees, or about 87 percent of the agency’s staff.
Firms cite 1851 law in Missouri boat accident, seek mediation
Two companies facing multiple lawsuits over a summer tourist boat accident in Missouri that killed 17 people have invoked an 1851 law that allows vessel owners to try to avoid or limit legal damages as they also seek settlement negotiations with victims’ family members. But Tia Coleman, an Indianapolis woman who survived the accident, and lawyers for others whose family members died denounced the filing as callous and insulting.
Hate crimes stalemate: Statehouse study committee offers no consensus
Several hours of testimony before a legislative study committee charged with examining a potential hate crimes law for Indiana heavily underscored one central point: there are many opinions and no common ground.
Judges, lawyers bemoan political nature of Kavanaugh hearings
Ask any constitutional scholar whether the process of confirming Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court played out as was constitutionally intended, and the answer will likely be “no.” Federal judges and practicing lawyers agree: regardless of your politics, the animosity that exploded in the Senate over the last month was not what the Framers had in mind.
Diversity, mental health CLEs divide ISBA House of Delegates
The 2018 Indiana State Bar Association annual meeting began last week with an intense debate in the House of Delegates over a proposal designed to make a statement about the bar’s position on hot-button topics: should attorneys be required to attend CLE programs about diversity and mental health issues?
Indiana Court Decisions — Sept. 27-Oct. 9, 2018
Read Indiana appellate decisions from the most recent reporting period.
7th Circuit upholds judgment for Pearson on sex discrimination claim
A former employee of Pearson Education, Inc. has lost her sex discrimination appeal against the educational products supplier after the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals found the woman failed to show she was similarly situated to three male employees she claimed were treated better than her.
Lawyer who saw golf course slip, fall can’t represent victim
A Chicago attorney was removed from a northern Indiana federal personal injury case last week because he had witnessed an alleged golf course accident that was the basis of his client’s lawsuit.
Oral argument: Bright-line speeding rule requested in OWI case
The Indiana Supreme Court heard oral argument Monday morning on a speeding-turned-OWI case following its grant of transfer to the state’s appeal, including concerns regarding reasonable suspicion.
7th Circuit seeking public comment on jury instructions
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to criminal pattern jury instructions. Comments on the proposed changes will be accepted until Nov. 20.
Venue transfer appeal heads to Ivy Tech Indianapolis
Questions raised regarding the meaning of the term “principal office” will be heard in an Appeals on Wheels oral argument Tuesday morning at Ivy Tech Community College.