Social distancing has created obstacles for legal counsel for many litigation tasks, especially mediation. Some mediations are being delayed or canceled. However, for many cases, parties and counsel should seriously consider online virtual mediation.
During this period of uncertainty and rapidly evolving information, it is important for businesses, organizations and employers to stay up to date. Below are some frequently asked questions and answers with links to resources.
Indiana insurance coverage law is among the best in the country for policyholders. It is worth digging into your policies — or better yet, having an experienced coverage lawyer do the digging for you — to see to what extent they cover these unexpected losses. At least five different types of policies might respond to losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s March 23 stay-at-home order, tenants, landlords and lenders have been scrambling to review what rights, remedies, and obligations they have under their respective real estate documents.
When I started writing this article, it was to be about the usefulness of apps for attorneys and law offices. Since then, the world has dramatically changed, and most lawyers have realized that it is now a high priority to find ways to work with clients virtually.
Gov. Eric Holcomb’s stay-at-home order exempted a variety of occupations that were deemed by the governor to be “essential.” To the surprise of many lawyers, the legal profession was designated as essential. We will be allowed to continue working because the contributions we make to our communities are more necessary than ever in this time of anxiety and upheaval.
Movie reviewer Robert Hammerle opines on the last film he saw in a movie theater, which you can now view at home at a safe distance.
Notwithstanding the national trend of states repealing statutes that criminalized possession of marijuana, Indiana remains steadfast in its prohibition of marijuana. While opinions obviously vary a great deal as to the wisdom of that prohibition, this continuing prohibition does, for the time being, hold at bay some of the thornier issues that can arise for employers regarding employee use of marijuana.
Movie reviewer Robert Hammerle finds much to like in two new period pieces, “Emma” and “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” while a violent remake of “The Invisible Man” is spellbinding.
Federal courts are limited jurisdiction tribunals. As such, the federal judiciary carefully guards subject-matter jurisdiction, ensuring at multiple stages of a case, and in the trial court and on appeal, that the case is properly in federal court. Examples of jurisdictional issues abound in federal district courts and are scrutinized in the 7th Circuit, as well.
It’s become known as the virus. With all of the precautions, shutdowns, quarantines, etc., it would be a wise move to have a contingency plan in place if your work or life becomes affected by the virus. Here are some ideas to consider if you will need to be away from the office for an extended period of time.
“Implicit bias” refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions and decisions in an unconscious manner. Biases are often based on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, age, appearance, sex, gender, religion, national origin and socioeconomic status. Everyone has some form of implicit bias. We develop these biases because of our social, economic and familial groups. Our brains rely on ingrained prejudgments to help us quickly process information that bombards us every day — without conscious thought.
Attorneys representing entities that engage in civil forfeitures should familiarize themselves with the U.S. Supreme Court’s State v. Timbs ruling to ensure their clients comply with the ruling and the entity’s constitutional obligations.
Employers must know the type of payments that can legally be withheld or pulled back, recognize that payments may become so vested that they are beyond retrieval, and understand lawful techniques to withhold or recoup funds when warranted.
A divided Indiana Supreme Court recently passed judgment on a case in which only two of the five justices could find reason instead of a callous abstraction of the law. The callous abstraction prevailed, as increasingly seems to be the style of our times.
One of the saddest parts of my job is when a victim of an unscrupulous lawyer calls, asking in exasperation, “Is there anything that can be done about this?” The very saddest part is the realization that, deep down, the caller already knows the answer is no, or next to no. The legal profession has no contingency when one of its own who swore an oath goes rogue and steals from vulnerable clients. This must change.
There’s a new pro bono organization in town, and it’s bringing a relatively large change to Indiana’s pro bono system. Pro Bono Indiana was established at the beginning of this year to consolidate the administration of Indiana’s pro bono districts while still preserving the autonomy of the local nonprofit programs that have been serving the pro bono districts for years.
Movie reviewer Robert Hammerle wonders why more people are not flocking to “Birds of Prey,” while “Just Mercy” is an emotionally moving film that hits close to home.
While reflecting on our time writing this column, it became clear that we have not addressed an important aspect of our lives and future legal careers: We are women in the law. Obviously, the legal field has historically been dominated by men, and usually those who are well-off. In our time in law school we have seen a growing movement of greater diversity in the field, paving the way for different groups of people to make their mark in the profession and on the legal landscape.
You never know who you’ll meet, where they’ll end up or what role they might play in your future. And you never know who they may know. Relationships matter.