AG Hill’s 30-day suspension raises eligibility questions
For the first time in Indiana history, the elected attorney general has been suspended. But what the discipline means for Attorney General Curtis Hill remains to be seen.
Ethics & Professional Responsibility
Articles
Despite lost support, AG Hill seemingly pushes forward
Statewide political leaders, including Republican leaders, are withdrawing support of embattled Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill, who next week begins a 30-day suspension for two ethics violations. But Hill so far has not indicated plans to step down from his role or leave the 2020 campaign trail once the suspension is over, even though his competition may be growing.
Disciplinary Actions
Read who has been reinstated, resigned or suspended from the practice of law in the most recent reporting period.
Hearing officer: No discipline necessary for lawyer in Park Tudor sex scandal
Despite a finding that prominent Indianapolis employment attorney Michael Blickman violated an ethical rule in his handling of a student-teacher sex scandal at Park Tudor High School, the hearing officer in Blickman’s disciplinary case is not recommending any action against his law license.
Fishers attorney gets stayed suspension for professional misconduct
Indiana Supreme Court justices have issued a 60-day stayed suspension for a Fishers attorney who acknowledged he failed to properly represent a client in a divorce case and mishandled another client’s workplace sexual harassment claim.
Attorney suspended for failure to disclose in bar exam application
An attorney who failed to disclose in his bar exam application complaints made against him has been suspended from the practice of law effective immediately, the Indiana Supreme Court announced Tuesday.
Disciplinary Commission offers attorneys ethical tips during COVID-19 crisis
Hoosier attorneys have been offered some ethical tips from the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission as lawyers statewide continue working remotely during the “new normal” caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Disciplinary Actions
Read which Indiana attorneys have been reprimanded or suspended from the practice of law during the most recent reporting period.
Hill again urges dismissal of groping-related attorney discipline case
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is continuing his fight to have his lawyer discipline case dismissed, writing in a brief to the Indiana Supreme Court that if he must be sanctioned, it should be no more than a reprimand. Hill is also drawing on the recent discipline of three Indiana judges involved in a downtown Indianapolis shooting to argue that the recommended discipline against him is unfair.
Bill that outlined requirement for ousting AG dies in last night of session
Despite a push from Indiana House lawmakers to clarify in state code whether Attorney General Curtis Hill could remain in office if his law license is suspended, state legislators failed to pass a bill before adjourning this year’s session Wednesday night.
Attorney accused of tax evasion suspended; 2 justices would disbar
A Schererville attorney previously arraigned in federal court on charges of tax evasion and failure to pay federal income taxes has been suspended from the practice of law for three years without automatic reinstatement, the Indiana Supreme Court ordered Tuesday. Some of the justices, however, said they would disbar the attorney.
House adopts amendment that could boot AG Hill from office, campaign trail
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill’s ability to remain in office could be even further in jeopardy now that the Indiana House has adopted language that would disqualify for the office any attorney whose law license is suspended for 30 days or more.
Muncie lawyer gets suspension, JLAP monitoring for having cocaine
A Delaware County lawyer found with drugs in his home will serve a four-month suspension, plus probationary monitoring under the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program. The order culminates the sixth formal disciplinary action against the Muncie attorney.
Man charged in judges’ shooting claims self-defense, says judges were aggressors
The man charged with shooting two southern Indiana judges outside an Indianapolis fast food restaurant last year claimed in a Tuesday court filing that he acted in self-defense. The notice of affirmative defense also alleges the judges were the aggressors as alleged gunman Brandon Kaiser and his nephew, Alfredo Vazquez, were stopping to eat at a downtown White Castle, where the shooting took place in the parking lot.
Stafford: Attorneys, heal thy profession: Answer victims’ calls for help
One of the saddest parts of my job is when a victim of an unscrupulous lawyer calls, asking in exasperation, “Is there anything that can be done about this?” The very saddest part is the realization that, deep down, the caller already knows the answer is no, or next to no. The legal profession has no contingency when one of its own who swore an oath goes rogue and steals from vulnerable clients. This must change.
Suspension recommendation casts further uncertainty on AG Hill’s future
The hearing officer presiding over the attorney discipline case against Attorney General Curtis Hill is recommending a 60-day suspension of Hill’s law license, without automatic reinstatement. But how that recommendation might affect Hill’s status as AG or his re-election campaign remains to be seen.
Noblesville lawyer suspended, ordered to JLAP probation
A Noblesville attorney has been suspended from the practice of law with two years of probation monitored by the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program after failing to inform and refund several clients, among other things.
Selby: AG Hill should get 60-day suspension, no automatic reinstatement
The hearing officer presiding over Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill’s discipline case has recommended that the state’s highest-ranking attorney serve a two-month suspension without automatic reinstatement for violations of two professional conduct rules related to sexual misconduct allegations against him.
Memorial service set for fetal remains connected to ex-abortion doctor
Thousands of fetal remains discovered on property owned by the late former Indiana abortion doctor Ulrich Klopfer will be memorialized at a graveside service in South Bend on Wednesday.
Prosecutor fighting discipline over role in police sex investigation
The elected prosecutor of Knox County in southwestern Indiana faces an attorney discipline case related to his conduct stemming from a local police investigation into his former chief deputy prosecutor’s relationship with a woman who was serving time on drug charges. An attorney for the prosecutor, however, is contesting the discipline case and says the prosecutor is the victim of a vendetta born of the small-town rumor mill.