7th Circuit affirms block on Planned Parenthood defunding
An injunction against an Indiana law that blocks state Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood has been upheld by the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
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Lawyers capture beauty of courthouses in their art
Indiana attorneys use photographs, paint to preserve art and history of courthouses.
Public sector attorneys still earn significantly less than private sector lawyers
Most public sector lawyer salaries have kept pace with inflation but remain significantly lower than salaries at private law firms, according to the “2012 Public Sector and Public Interest Attorney Salary Report” by the National Association for Law Placement.
Lake County judge: RTW suit may proceed
A challenge to Indiana’s right-to-work law will proceed after a Lake County judge this week rejected the state’s request to dismiss a lawsuit filed by United Steelworkers.
Justices uphold denial of benefits for fired employee
Indiana Justice Steven David authored a unanimous opinion Wednesday in which the court held “when the facts of a case support more than one statutory ground for discharge, we are not confined to narrowly review the [Indiana Department of Workforce Development] Review Board’s decision when the facts point to the Review Board’s ultimately correct conclusion.”
Legislative groups to look at surrogate attorneys, funding for correction programs
Legislators this week will study a variety of issues, including preliminary drafts on surrogate attorneys and probate court authority.
IU McKinney launches Bayh lecture
This Thursday marks the inaugural Birch Bayh Lecture at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. The annual event, named after former U.S. Senator Birch Bayh, will focus on issues of importance to Bayh regarding the government.
Court orders BMV to hold hearing on whether felon can get ID
A federal judge has found a convicted felon’s due process clause claim “has teeth” and that the Bureau of Motor Vehicles must determine whether to issue the man an identification card even though his last name on his birth certificate and Social Security card do not match.
2 indicted for defrauding company of $1.6M
A Fishers, Ind. man, along with a businessman in California, have been charged in the Southern District of Indiana with stealing more than a million dollars from the Indianapolis-area branch of power tool manufacturer Stanley Black and Decker.
Delayed ordinance publication doesn’t affect power to annex
Landowners challenging the annexation of portions of land in Hamilton County to the city of Westfield lost their appeal before the Indiana Court of Appeals. The remonstrators claimed the city’s delayed publication of annexation ordinances should have barred the annexation.
Attorneys not entitled to fees after agency drops order
Addressing for the first time what qualifies as a “prevailing party” under the Equal Access to Justice Act, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals sided with several other appellate courts that have ruled on the issue.
New LSA director, deputy director named
The Legislative Council has selected George Angelone to serve as executive director of the Legislative Services Agency. Angelone takes over for Jack Ross, who will retire at the end of next month.
Judges order Social Security Administration to take another look at man’s claim
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed the denial of a man’s request for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration because it found the administrative law judge didn’t adequately explain why the man hadn’t met requirements for a presumptive disability.
Zoeller to speak at DCS study committee Thursday
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller is scheduled to appear before the Department of Child Services Interim Study Committee meeting Thursday afternoon.
Court of Appeals reverses and remands inmate’s request for kosher meals
A Pendleton Correctional Facility inmate will not be able to collect monetary damages against employees of the Indiana Department of Correction, but his request for kosher meals will get a second review.
Indiana Department of Child Services urged to set course for new direction
With a new governor taking over Indiana’s executive branch in January, what changes, if any, will come to the Department of Child Services are unknown. However, some contend that should not stop the agency from addressing criticism and implementing new policies or programs now.
Attorneys general warn against federal payday loan regulation
A bill in Congress that would extend federal regulation to the payday lending industry would pre-empt state laws and undermine consumer safeguards, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller warned in a letter signed by 40 attorneys general.
Zoeller: Problem-solving courts may help fight Rx abuse
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said a newly formed prescription drug abuse task force will examine whether special problem-solving courts may be a venue for fighting prescription painkiller abuse.
Judges’, prosecutors’ pension funds receive split of surplus reserves
Indiana’s Judges’ Pension Fund and Prosecutors’ Pension Fund will receive nearly 30 percent of the $360 million in surplus money from the state reserves, the governor’s office announced Thursday.
Committee taking another look at emancipation law
The Child Custody and Support Advisory Committee meets Tuesday to discuss the law passed during the 2012 legislative session that reduced the age of emancipation to 19 for child support purposes.