Recently, the Indiana Supreme Court created the Indiana Commission on Equity and Access seeking to build trust and increase the average citizen’s ability to navigate the complicated legal system. These efforts not only are commendable, but they are also forcing an examination of uncomfortable issues while creating opportunities for rich discourse in settings that have in large part avoided these critical issues.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has altered our day-to-day lives and experiences, the construction and real estate development industries have had to address how to effectively handle a particularly difficult issue that has arisen: unprecedented price fluctuations with a wide variety of building materials, perhaps most notably with lumber, where prices rose by as much as 400% this spring.
This article is for newly minted attorneys and associates in their first few years of practice. If you’re in either of these categories, I strongly encourage you to read on for several fundamental keys to success that, in my opinion, every new attorney should embrace.
“My name is Rick and I am a pack rat.” Those are the words I will use at my first Pack Rats Anonymous meeting, which I will be attending after having recently prepared for our law firm office move.
I found this film to be an emotionally touching way to say farewell to Daniel Craig. Though some felt the story moved too slowly at times, I thought it gave you a chance to honor Craig’s performance as he walked into the sunset. It reminded me of Burt Lancaster as he walked into the cornfield in the classic “Field of Dreams” (1989).
It wasn’t that long ago that I found myself asking around for tips and pointers to develop skills and maximize my opportunities as a young associate. As a new class of lawyers begins settling into their legal careers this autumn, I wanted to share some of the tips I’ve received and helpful things I’ve learned over the past 13 years (some the hard way!):
Have you ever met someone who inspires, challenges you, motivates you and maybe makes you feel just a little bit lazy? Have you ever met 37 such someones all at once?
A significant decision came out of the 7th Circuit this September in the world of environmental practitioners and professionals, but many real estate tenants, developers, owners, investors and attorneys who do not specialize in environmental law may not appreciate the impact of this decision on due diligence, timing and costs for preserving a property owner’s defense against Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) liability
The world is changing faster than ever post COVID-19. A changing world has always brought opportunity for lawyers. With change, comes a flurry of new legal issues to be argued, negotiated and decided.
With so much going on in tax law, it’s a critical time to understand what your current estate plan is, identify how different rule changes might affect your plan if they become law and map out potential strategies that can be implemented if the laws change.
Indianapolis defense lawyer Bob Hammerle reviews “Titane” and “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” then shares his frustrations with infrastructure policies at the local and national levels.
On July 1, Indiana significantly broadened the options for an individual to make health care wishes known through an “Advance Directive for Health Care Decisions.”
Since the summer of 2020, the Indiana Supreme Court’s Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program has had many deep discussions about the issues that are affecting people of color and what the program can do to support law students, attorneys and judges of color, as well as others who care about these issues and want to be meaningful and proactive allies.
Apple recently released its newest mobile hardware (iPhones and iPads) and software (iOS 15 and iPadOS). iPhones are at version 13 in both base and Pro models. The “new” iPads include a new base model and mini model. There’s also a new Apple Watch.
House Enrolled Act 1255 (P.L. 185-2021) added new signing methods for wills, effective April 29, with no “sunset” date and no dependence on any current or future public health emergency.
By any measure, 41 years is a long time. So, the fact that my career passed in a flash perhaps speaks to how engaging, compelling and consuming the practice of law is, at least to those of us who view it as more than a job.
Indianapolis defense lawyer Bob Hammerle gives his views on “The Card Counter” and “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” as well as his views on trending political issues.
Frequently for my past columns for DTCI, ideas would rise to the surface of my consciousness during my walks through my neighborhood and along the country roads of Porter County. Not so much this year. But one or two thoughts did cross my mind that I think are worth sharing.
If you’re a litigator, mediation is likely a large part of your practice. Nevertheless, there are still a variety of common myths that either prevent parties from mediating a case or prevent them from having a productive mediation.
Taking a pass on opening statements in mediation is an easy out. However, does that make it a good idea? Should it be the rule, rather than the exception? Is forgoing the opening statement in the client’s best interests?