Two lawyers suspended for non-cooperation with discipline investigations
Two Hoosier lawyers have been indefinitely suspended from the practice of law for failure to cooperate with investigations of ethics grievances against them.
Discipline
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Justices accepting disciplinary commission applications as Witte gets senior judge status
The Indiana Supreme Court is now accepting applications for a new disciplinary commission executive director as the current director prepares to retire and take senior judge status.
Justices name senior judge as interim disciplinary commission leader
An Indiana senior judge has been named to lead the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission on an interim basis, temporarily replacing executive director G. Michael Witte, who is retiring Friday.
Ex-Johnson County Prosecutor Cooper gets 4-year suspension
The former Johnson County prosecutor who was convicted of assaulting his former girlfriend and attempting to cover up his crime was suspended from the practice of law for four years Wednesday without automatic reinstatement.
Justices in tug-of-war over judge in suit accusing ex-lawyer of estate theft
Nearly eight months after the Indiana Supreme Court accepted the resignation of a one-time northern Indiana judge and former lawyer accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from a widow client’s estate, justices now are being asked to remove the judge hearing a related civil lawsuit.
Suspended attorney sentenced to 2 years in federal prison for tax evasion
A former Schererville personal injury and medical malpractice attorney who pleaded guilty to tax evasion has been sentenced to two years in federal prison. The attorney, who was suspended from the practice of law last year, also was ordered to make restitution of more than $1.7 million.
Supreme Court clears Barnes attorney Mackey in discipline case
The Indiana Supreme Court has cleared a well-known attorney and former federal prosecutor of misconduct charges stemming from a nearly decade-old matter. The court found Thursday “that the allegations of misconduct were not proven” in a one-page judgment in favor of Barnes & Thornburg partner Larry Mackey.
Ex-lawyer accused of stealing from estate scrutinized for land deals
A one-time northern Indiana judge and lawyer who resigned amid a disciplinary case alleging he and his law firm stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from a widow client’s estate may have used ill-gotten money to pay down his home mortgage, a court filing suggests.
Former lawmaker resigns from legal profession amid discipline case
A self-described “eclectic” one-time state legislator from Muncie has resigned from the practice of law under pressure, ending a disciplinary case lodged against him that alleged he bungled an estate case, committed a “criminal act” and repeatedly dodged court hearings.
Law enforcement reform bill easily advances in Indiana House
A law enforcement reform bill that appears to have wide support from policing agencies and minority groups is advancing to the Indiana House floor. The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee unanimously advanced the measure on Tuesday morning.
Supreme Court reinstates 2 lawyers, 1 conditionally
A northern Indiana lawyer with a lengthy criminal history has been conditionally readmitted to the practice of law in Indiana, as has a Louisville lawyer who has not been licensed in the Hoosier state for more than a decade.
Justices urged to clear Putnam Co. prosecutor over undisclosed testimony deal
The elected Putnam County prosecutor should not be disciplined for accusations that he failed to disclose a deal for testimony from a witness who claimed he was wrongly identified, placing him in danger behind bars as a “snitch.” The hearing officer in Timothy Bookwalter’s attorney discipline case said the prosecutor violated no rules, should not be punished and urged the Indiana Supreme Court to re-examine the ethical duties of prosecutors.
Disciplinary Commission director Witte to retire
Longtime attorney discipline executive director G. Michael Witte will retire from his post, the Indiana Supreme Court has announced. Witte, a former trial court judge who has overseen the disciplinary commission for a decade, will step down next month.
Bell and Grass: Confidentiality clauses, contraband and the duty to report
The Indiana Supreme Court recently issued a disciplinary opinion that addressed the issues of confidentiality clauses in settlement agreements, a lawyer’s handling of contraband, and the tension between a lawyer’s duty to report child abuse and the lawyer’s duty of confidentiality.
Justices reprimand lawyer for trying to ‘silence’ student in Park Tudor scandal
The prominent Indianapolis employment law attorney who faced professional discipline charges related to his handling of a former high school basketball coach’s student sexting scandal has received a public reprimand from the Indiana Supreme Court. A dissenting judge, however, would not impose any sanction on Ice Miller partner Michael Blickman.
Indianapolis attorney suspended for misleading client
An Indianapolis attorney who failed to act promptly and misled a client has been suspended from the practice of law in Indiana for six months.
Judge convicted after meth sting barred from bench, suspended
A Hamilton County judge who purchased meth from an informant in a sting operation then bit the thumb of an officer who tried to stop the jurist from swallowing the evidence has been barred from holding judicial office but may continue to conditionally practice law after a 90-day suspension.
Disciplinary Actions
Read who has been reinstated, reprimanded and suspended during the most recent reporting period.
AG Hill ordered to pay $19K in disciplinary costs
The Indiana Supreme Court has ordered Republican Attorney General Curtis Hill to pay more than $19,000 in expenses in a disciplinary case stemming from allegations he groped a state lawmaker and three other women during a party.
Justices permit remote attorney disciplinary proceedings
Indiana Supreme Court justices in a Wednesday order provided instructions to hearing officers and parties in attorney disciplinary proceedings that have not yet proceeded to final hearing, perhaps most significantly permitting remote proceedings due to the continuing pandemic.