Calling it a career: Lawyer ethics director Witte retiring
After 39 years, G. Michael Witte, executive director of the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission, is calling it a career — sort of.
Justices/Judges
Articles
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.
Biden could change course in high court health care case
The pending Supreme Court case on the fate of the Affordable Care Act could give the Biden administration its first opportunity to chart a new course in front of the justices.
ISBA fights legislation to end retention votes, ‘politicize’ appellate bench
A measure that would strip Hoosier voters of the power to retain appellate judges and Supreme Court justices — transferring that authority to the Legislature — has drawn fire from the Indiana State Bar Association, which warned the proposal would politicize the appellate bench and threaten the independence of the judiciary.
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.
Young joins proposal for 9-member SCOTUS constitutional amendment
Indiana Sen. Todd Young on Monday announced he will join fellow Republican senators in reintroducing a constitutional amendment that would ensure the number of justices on the United States Supreme Court remains nine.
IndyBar: Save the Date for the 2021 IndyBar Bench Bar Conference!
After a hiatus in 2020, Bench Bar is returning to Louisville this summer and it’ll be your chance to relax and get away for the weekend while reconnecting with each other and with your practice.
Motorists crossing Louisville bridges claim they were fraudulently billed
In a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, a group of drivers allege the vendors hired to operate the RiverLink toll system for the three bridges between Louisville, Kentucky, and southern Indiana fraudulently tacked on administrative fees and penalties.
IndyBar, IBF Welcome New Boards at Virtual Installation, Leadership Celebration and Annual Meeting
Members of the bench and bar gathered virtually for the official installation of the boards of directors of the Indianapolis Bar Association and Foundation on Thursday, Jan. 14.
Committee endorses new Hamilton County court, magistrates for 3 counties
Four Indiana counties are one step closer to adding judicial officers or a new court after winning the approval of a legislative committee.
New American Bar Foundation study details decline of jury trials
Fewer than one in 100 civil matters are decided by juries and less than 4% of criminal cases are, a new study from the American Bar Foundation reports, even as lawyers and judges agree that jury trials tend to be fairer than many alternatives.
New county judges also presiding over former city, town courts
Former municipal court judges in Madison and Vigo counties who have been elected to their county trial court benches will continue to preside over their former dockets at least temporarily, the Indiana Supreme Court has ordered.
Judge blocks Holcomb appointment to St. Joseph Superior Court
A northern Indiana judge has issued an injunction prohibiting Gov. Eric Holcomb from appointing a new judge to the St. Joseph Superior Court while a lawsuit filed against the governor by a fellow Republican appointee to that county’s judicial nominating commission proceeds.
Web Exclusive: Garcia first Hispanic judge named to Southern District bench
In a Q&A with Indiana Lawyer, new Southern District of Indiana Mario Garcia said he anticipates utilizing his background and diverse legal experiences to help people resolve their legal issues quickly and justly.
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.
Federal judge rejects lawsuit seeking to overturn Trump loss
A federal judge on Monday rejected a lawsuit filed by two Republican Wisconsin lawmakers, voting rights groups and others seeking to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Wisconsin and four other swing states where Democrat Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump.
CJ Roberts’ year-end report highlights judiciary’s accomplishments despite COVID
At the end of a year full of unprecedented challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Chief Justice John G. Roberts shared his appreciation for the unsung heroes in the judicial branch in his annual year-end report.
Indy firm behind Trump Wisconsin election challenge weighs SCOTUS bid
With little more than a week before a joint session of Congress will formally count votes of the Electoral College that President-elect Joe Biden won by a 306-232 margin, President Donald Trump continues to bend the ear of an Indianapolis attorney who unsuccessfully argued to overturn Wisconsin’s election results.
Lawsuit challenges Indiana laws on disposal of fetal remains
An Indianapolis abortion clinic is suing the state of Indiana, challenging provisions of a state law upheld last year by the U.S. Supreme Court requiring fetal remains to be buried or cremated after an abortion.
Indiana commercial courts branching out
Indiana’s commercial court docket is expanding for the first time, with four new venues opening in 2021. Hamilton, Madison, St. Joseph and Vigo counties will join Allen, Elkhart, Floyd, Lake, Marion and Vanderburgh counties in offering the specialized business dockets.