150 businesses in group pushing for Indiana LGBT protections
A large coalition of Indiana businesses is calling on Republican Gov. Mike Pence and the GOP-controlled Legislature to put LGBT civil rights protections into state law.
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Judge grants preliminary injunction banning Nativity scene
A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction banning a northern Indiana school district from including a live Nativity scene as part of its annual Christmas show.
Monarch keeps up fight to overturn state alcohol sales law
The largest beer and wine wholesaler in Indiana is asking a state appeals court to find a law unconstitutional that prohibits beer wholesalers from seeking a permit to also distribute liquor.
Downtown condo association again files suit for building damage
The homeowners association for a downtown Indianapolis condominium complex again is suing the owner and builder after a new round of problems caused about $6 million in damage to the structure.
Rep. Susan Brooks helps put spotlight on civil legal aid
Civil legal aid providers got a boost Tuesday with the announcement of the formation of a Civil Legal Services Caucus in the U.S. Congress.
Postal service warns newspaper about pot ads
While Oregon voters legalized medical marijuana in 1998 and recreational marijuana for adult use in 2014, the plant is still illegal at the federal level. Any newspaper with pot ads would violate a federal law preventing advertising for illicit goods, the postal service said.
Prosecutor seeks to dismiss charge against abortion doctor
The St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office said Tuesday the doctor fulfilled terms of a pretrial diversion program he entered after being charged last year with failing to report an abortion performed at the Women's Pavilion on a 13-year-old in 2013.
7th Circuit stops Cook County sheriff’s campaign against adult ads
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals was not convinced by the sheriff’s arguments and instead saw his actions as “government coercion” and leading to a slippery slope.
Suit accuses owners of home-repair firm of serial fraud
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller sued the two owners of Carmel-based Green Frog Restoration Inc. on Tuesday, charging they scammed at least 41 Indianapolis-area residents out of more than $280,000 after one of them conducted similar schemes against Ohio and Kentucky residents.
Justices disbar lawyer for theft of $150K from clients, ‘brazenness’
An Indianapolis lawyer has been disbarred for stealing about $150,000 from his clients, “disclosing client confidences for purposes of both retaliation and amusement, threatening and intimidating his office staff (and) lying pervasively to all comers,” according to the Indiana Supreme Court.
Opinions Dec. 1, 2015
Indiana Supreme Court
In the Matter of: David J. Steele
49S00-1509-DI-527
Attorney discipline. Disbars David J. Steele, who had been under emergency interim suspension since Sept. 4, for eight counts detailed in a verified complaint. Steele is accused of stealing about $150,000 from clients, disclosing client confidences for purposes of both retaliation and amusement, threatening and intimidating his office staff and lying pervasively to all comers. Disbarment is warranted based on the seriousness and brazenness of the conduct.
Judge: Nativity lawsuit plaintiffs can remain anonymous
A federal judge has ruled that a high school student and a parent can remain anonymous as they sue over a live Nativity scene that’s part of a northern Indiana school district’s annual Christmas show.
Justices end Californian’s lawsuit against Austrian railway
In their first decision of the term, justices of the Supreme Court of the United States ruled Tuesday that an American woman’s lawsuit could not go forward in U.S. courts.
IndyBar: Share Savings with Your Employees at No Cost to You
Here’s a holiday gift for your whole firm: Indianapolis Bar Association members can now offer firm members and employees—both legal and non-legal—discounts through NPP.
IndyBar:Legal Help Brings Light to Life’s Darkest Moments
When fear, worry and pain make life dark, you can be the light. Local hospice patients facing end-of-life legal matters get free assistance from the IndyBar Hospice Program–and we need you to help!
Trimble: Please … Tell Me Why Not?
Within the past two weeks I have had the pleasure of being a part of the 2016 planning retreats for the sections, committees and board of the Indianapolis Bar Association and the board of the Indianapolis Bar Foundation.
IndyBar: Overview of the Major Changes to the Indiana Child Support Guidelines
On Nov. 5, 2015, the Indiana Supreme Court issued an Order Amending the Indiana Child Support Guidelines (“Guidelines”).
High court’s election-year lineup rich in high-profile cases
Affirmative action, abortion the Obama health care law and possibly immigration are among big issues that could be decided by the Supreme Court of the United States just months ahead of a presidential campaign season.
Survey: Attorney social media use largely governed by personal responsibility
By a more than 2-to-1 margin, attorneys who responded to the IL survey said their organization encourages them to promote themselves and their firm or organization, compared to those who said their organization discourages social media.
Indiana Court Decisions – Nov. 12 to 23, 2015
Read recent decisions from Indiana appellate courts.