DTCI Annual Meeting 2014
Members gathered in French Lick to honor attorneys, attend educational sessions and socialize.
Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana
Articles
2014 DTCI Amicus Report
In 2014, the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana’s Amicus Committee participated in a number of interesting appeals, several of which have not yet been decided. The cases DTCI became involved in this year addressed a variety of evidentiary and other issues that are of interest to the defense bar.
Thomas Hays will lead DTCI as it embarks on new long-range plan
For nearly 37 years, Hays, a partner at Lewis Wagner LLP, has continued to enter courtrooms, building a solid reputation as a personal injury defense attorney. Now Hays is preparing to take on a new challenge. He is the incoming president of the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana and will take office in January just as the organization is beginning to implement a new long-range plan.
DTCI: Is technology killing the work-life balance?
I will admit that when I first started practicing law, there were no BlackBerry phones, iPhones or tablets allowing one to access email at any time of the day, anywhere in the world. I also could not access the system in our office while at home or some other remote location. Now that all of these options are available to us, I can’t help but wonder is technology killing the ability to balance work with life?
DTCI: Take time to invest in yourself
Where I work, it is the usual practice of the partnership to send attorneys with my level of experience (five to six years) to a seminar in order to prepare us for the eventual responsibility of trying a case on our own.
DTCI: 15 years of court interpretation on presumption and products liability
In the 15 years since the presumption became a part of the IPLA, it has been invoked in a number of actions involving the design, manufacture, labeling and packaging of numerous products. This article explores Indiana court decisions that have transformed the breadth and impact of the presumption both in its application and the requirements necessary to overcome it.
DTCI: Proceed with caution and civility during depositions
As a young lawyer, I have quickly learned that this friction between our duties to our clients and our duty to behave civilly becomes overly apparent at depositions. Without a doubt, depositions are an extremely effective and widely used discovery tool. They present great opportunity to gain valuable facts that can be used against an opponent. That being said, they also present great opportunity for incivility, especially because depositions are generally held outside a judge’s supervision.
DTCI: Bad faith when there was no coverage?
An insurer denies a claim and the court agrees there is no coverage under the policy. Case closed. Or is it?
DTCI: Sign up now for the 21st Annual Conference and Meeting
Join us on Nov. 20 & 21 at the French Lick Resort for a jam-packed schedule.
DTCI: North Central Region Trial Workshop Academy
View a photo from the recent North Central Region Trial Academy Workshop Academy.
DTCI: Deciphering the new Administrative Rule 9(G)
On Sept. 8, the Indiana Supreme Court issued an order amending the Administrative Rules, wherein it adopted most of the proposed changes and added some requirements to Rule 9(G). These amendments take effect Jan. 1, 2015.
DTCI: Award nominations invited
The Defense Trial Counsel’s Annual Meeting will be held Nov. 20 – 21 at French Lick Resort. One of the highlights of the meeting is the presentation of the Defense Lawyer of the Year, the Diplomat of the Indiana Defense Trial Counsel, and the Outstanding Young Lawyer awards.
DTCI: The Affordable Care Act and medical malpractice claims
How will the law affect medical malpractice claims in Indiana?
DTCI: Playing by the rules
Christopher Lee uses a popular board game to teach his children about democracy and the rule of law.
DTCI: North Central Region Trial Academy
Need to enhance your skills as a litigator? Searching for a good trial advocacy seminar? If so, be sure to register today for the 2014 North Central Region Trial Academy! The academy is the only in-depth trial tactics seminar in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin designed by defense attorneys for defense attorneys.
DTCI: Paralegal summer social
The DTCI Paralegal Section Summer Social was held July 17 at The Slippery Noodle Inn in Indianapolis. Twenty current and prospective members of the section attended to hear DTCI director Kevin Tyra speak – and to take advantage of the complimentary refreshments offered by the event sponsor, Connor Reporting.
DTCI: The sleeping giant – Indiana’s Deceptive Consumer Sales Act
Indiana’s Deceptive Consumer Sales Act, I.C. 24-5-0.5 et seq., is a fairly complicated statute clothed in relative obscurity. The DCSA’s complexity is due partly to the way it is written, its scope, and the numerous cross-references to other conduct and statutes that fall within its purview. This article will introduce the statute, discuss its uses, implications, and its application to various types of transactions.
DTCI: Mentoring – taking care of lawyering business
Guess what? Unless you keep your office door closed, don’t talk on the telephone and don’t use email/Facebook/Twitter, you mentor every working day.
DTCI: Awards nominations invited
The Defense Trial Counsel’s Annual Meeting will be held Nov. 20-21 at French Lick Resort. One of the highlights of the meeting is the presentation of the Defense Lawyer of the Year, the Diplomat of the Indiana Defense Trial Counsel, and the Outstanding Young Lawyer awards.
DTCI: Independent contractors under the Worker’s Compensation Act
Independent contractors are usually excluded from coverage under the Indiana Worker’s Compensation Act. Accordingly, an individual’s status as an independent contractor may serve as a defense to an otherwise compensable claim. While this general principle – that independent contractors are not covered by the Act – seems simple enough, the provisions of the Act addressing independent contractors can give rise to some complex legal and factual issues.