Indiana Supreme Court opens ICLEO applications
The Indiana Supreme Court has opened applications for the 2021 Indiana Conference for Legal Education Opportunity program serving student groups that are traditionally underrepresented in law school.
Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
Articles
Bill would require listing biological parents on birth certificates
A bill in the Legislature could reignite Indiana’s battle over birth certificates and possibly upend federal court rulings that allow married lesbian couples to have both their names listed as their children’s parents. Some attorneys, however, see numerous unintended consequences if the bill passes.
Conversations on race draw on power of candid talks
To capitalize on the talks that started during 2020, attorney Angka Hinshaw is joining Indiana Justice Steven David to lead a yearlong discussion about racial issues and cultural differences. The goal of the program, Open Conversations, is to foster honest, perhaps uncomfortable, dialogue where the participants can gain new insight and understanding.
Judge James Kirsch announces retirement from Indiana Court of Appeals
Veteran Indiana Court of Appeals Judge James Kirsch announced Thursday he will retire this fall, capping a quarter-century on the state’s appellate court bench. Kirsch said in a statement he will continue to serve as a senior judge.
IU McKinney dean Bravo to speak at Southern District Black History Month event
Karen Bravo, the first person of color to serve as dean of Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, will be the keynote speaker at the Indiana Southern District Court’s annual Black History Month event next month.
Legal misfire: Is it a crime for minors to possess guns?
A 1990s Indiana law that raised penalties for juveniles who possess guns has backfired, limiting the charging options for law enforcement when children have firearms.
COA commitment for woman with anorexia seen as rare
In a move not typically seen, the Indiana Court of Appeals extended a Hoosier woman’s temporary involuntary commitment solely based on an eating disorder that doctors said was causing her severe malnutrition.
IU McKinney’s McCabe tapped as second-in-command at EPA
President-elect Joe Biden on Friday tapped Janet McCabe, an environmental law and policy expert and Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law professor, to return to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as deputy administrator.
Indiana deans sign letter calling attack on Capitol a betrayal
The deans of two Indiana Law Schools have joined more than 150 of their colleagues from around the country in denouncing last week’s attack on the U.S. Capitol as a betrayal of the Constitution’s core values.
Lawyer in charge: IU McKinney grad Tim Cook is first non-CPA to lead Katz Sapper & Miller
Indianapolis native Tim Cook made history at the start of 2021, riding his law degree into the C-suite and becoming the new CEO and president of Katz, Sapper & Miller, Indianapolis’ largest certified public accounting firm. He stepped into the leadership position Jan. 1 and is the first non-CPA to lead the 78-year-old national firm.
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.
Acting to ensure integrity: New prosecutor’s unit to investigate wrongful conviction claims
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced this month that his office will establish the Conviction Integrity Unit in early 2021 to prevent, identify and correct wrongful convictions. The new unit will consist of one attorney, an investigator and a paralegal and be the first of its kind in Indiana, according to the National Registry of Exonerations.
McCabe: Biden will reverse Trump environmental policies
The Trump administration has used many tools to weaken environmental protection. For example, Trump issued an executive order in June 2020 to waive environmental review for infrastructure projects such as pipelines and highways. I expect the Biden administration will quickly signal to the nation that effectively applying the nation’s environmental laws matters to everyone – especially to communities that bear an unfair share of the public health burden of pollution.
Service providers offering help to returning individuals stress need for work
The positives of having a job are unchanged, but the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced some new obstacles to re-entering individuals whose criminal records already created a barrier to gainful employment.
IU McKinney opening certified IP law clinic
A long-held dream, a handful of alumni and a student whose summer externship was scuttled all came together to create and launch the first intellectual property law clinic at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
New and soon-to-be lawyers chart a different course in uncertain times
The uncertainty of the times is heightening the worry and stress among law students and new lawyers, but career counselors say the people just entering the legal profession are doing more to confront the issues of the day. They are discussing ways to solve injustices and inequities, pursuing jobs in the public sector and carefully evaluating law firms to determine if they share the same values.
337 new lawyers admitted to practice in Indiana
The following new lawyers were admitted to practice last month. Many of those listed below participated in virtual admission ceremonies Sept. 21. Here are Indiana’s newest lawyers.
Bravo, Parrish co-chair review of Jordan namings
When Indiana University decided to assemble a committee to reevaluate the naming of buildings and landmarks on the Bloomington campus after the school’s seventh president, David Starr Jordan, who afterward championed eugenics, the institution started by calling the law schools.
Indiana race opens up after attorney general’s troubles
Indiana Democrats are targeting the state attorney general’s race as their best chance to break the stranglehold Republicans have over state government.
Attorney, alumnus Tuchman makes $4M gift to further diversity at IU McKinney
Indianapolis attorney Steve Tuchman and his husband, Reed Bobrick, have made a $4 million gift to Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law to support the creation of an endowed scholarship and an endowed professorship to further the institution’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.