Some Indiana Supreme Court, COA oral arguments canceled
Several oral arguments scheduled to be heard by both the Indiana Supreme Court and the Indiana Court of Appeals have been canceled as of Wednesday.
Lake County
Articles
Reversal: Fired lawyer cannot seek attorney fees ‘separate and apart’ from client
A Crown Point attorney who was fired by her client in a long-running juvenile paternity case had no right to then intervene in the case to seek an award of attorney fees from the opposing party, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday, reversing the trial court.
Pagano appointed judge pro tem in Lake Superior Court
Lake Superior Court Judge Clarence Murray will temporarily step down from his seat on the bench after informing the court that he would be unable to perform the duties of his office due to health reasons.
Lawmakers OK bill cementing landmark Lake Michigan ruling
Indiana lawmakers have passed legislation to embrace a landmark state Supreme Court decision affirming that the Lake Michigan shoreline is publicly owned and open to all for recreation.
COA: Staffing firm must pay attorney fees in breach of contract dispute
A recruiting and staffing firm did not convince the Indiana Court of Appeals on Friday that it should not have to pay attorneys fees requested by a former contractor in a breach of contract dispute.
Lead testing bill clears Statehouse
A bill that requires schools across Indiana to test their water for lead contamination has passed the Statehouse and is headed to the governor’s desk.
Conviction upheld for ex-Gary city employee who ordered, sold iPads
A former employee of the City of Gary who purchased more than $1.3 million in computer equipment and resold it for cash lost an appeal of her conviction and sentence before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday.
Coronavirus impacting Indiana courts, law firms, schools
The Indiana legal community is taking precautions and ramping up efforts to stay healthy as the coronavirus spreads. Meanwhile, Faegre Drinker announced Wednesday that it had reopened most of its offices Wednesday, including its Indianapolis location. The firm had closed all 22 of its global offices Tuesday after a person who attend a firm event in Washington, D.C., tested positive for COVID-19.
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.
Foreclosure ruling for homeowner reversed after ‘near-blanket exclusion’ of evidence
A Lake Superior judge who threw out a bank’s mortgage foreclosure lawsuit against a homeowner and entered judgment in her favor was reversed by the Indiana Court of Appeals, which found the court abused its discretion in ordering a “near-blanket exclusion” of the bank’s evidence.
Indiana community battling shoreline erosion files lawsuit
An Indiana community along Lake Michigan has filed a federal lawsuit over its battle with shoreline erosion, saying the town’s infrastructure is in danger of “total destruction.” The suit comes as homeowners and communities along the lakeshore deal with record high water levels in the Great Lakes.
Hammond man convicted in 2018 sledgehammer attack gets new attorney
A northwestern Indiana judge has approved a new attorney for a man who wants to seek a mistrial after being convicted in a sledgehammer attack that wounded another man outside of a school.
COA upholds sentence for man who repeatedly stabbed wife
A Lake County man who stabbed repeatedly stabbed his wife did not convince the Indiana Court of Appeals on Wednesday that his nearly 30-year sentence for the crime was inappropriate.
Lawmakers honor retiring Judge Baker with jokes, well wishes
A staple of the Indiana judiciary for more than 40 years, Indiana Court of Appeals Judge John G. Baker was honored by members of the Legislature ahead of his impending retirement.
Legislation, lawsuits used to combat Indiana’s lead problem as contamination cases persist
Organizations and individuals around Indiana have been pushing for a solution to the lead problem. The toxin is everywhere and exposure, especially in very young children, can cause lifelong cognitive impairment.
Split justices rule for bar after fight left patron blind
A split Indiana Supreme Court reversed Tuesday in a northern Indiana bar’s favor, finding the establishment did not owe a duty to a man who was blinded after bar fight took place in its parking lot.
Domestic battery charges against Lake County official dismissed
Six domestic battery charges have been dismissed against Lake County Recorder Michael B. Brown after his attorneys provided prosecutors with videos showing the alleged victim hitting him in front of children several times and defecating on his personal belongings.
Police: Hobart couple forced boys off road, angered by Trump flags
A northwestern Indiana couple allegedly used a car to force two teenage boys off a road, angered that the twin brothers were riding bicycles adorned with flags supporting President Donald Trump, before ripping one of the sibling’s flag from his bike, police said Friday.
Holcomb orders steps on Lake Michigan shoreline erosion
As the Great Lakes continue to rise to record levels and the Indiana shoreline of Lake Michigan continues to erode and put at risk nearby homes, roads and infrastructure, Gov. Eric Holcomb on Thursday took official action that may be a catalyst for a future disaster declaration.
Lake Michigan shore fight continues in court, Legislature
The years-long struggle between public and private rights along Indiana’s Lake Michigan shoreline continues in the Indiana Statehouse and in federal court, even as the state marks the two-year anniversary of a landmark Indiana Supreme Court decision that ruled in the public’s favor.