Hopper: Challenges in helping sole law firm owners’ succession plans
Over the past few months I have been helping three sole owners of law practices develop succession plans. They have presented some unique challenges as I help them.
Opinion
Articles
Hammerle on… “Toy Story 4,” “Yesterday”
Movie reviewer Robert Hammerle says the summer blockbuster “Toy Story 4” is an immediate Oscar front-runner, and “Yesterday” is a magical mystery tour that wonderfully manages to imagine life without the Beatles.
Dreyer: Should judges help litigants who don’t have lawyers?
In 2017, the Legal Services Corporation found 86 percent of civil legal problems of low-income Americans receive no or inadequate help. So what, if anything, should judges do when faced with people in court day after day without lawyers?
Stafford: New laws, plus what Indiana lawmakers didn’t do this year
Indiana Lawyer this edition presents our annual look back at what the General Assembly did this year. But our Legislature was also noteworthy for the many important things it failed to even discuss.
Letter to editor: Justice center comments beg response
Given the quote of Andy Mallon in the May 29-June 11, 2019, Indiana Lawyer addressing the contamination that has soaked the property of the proposed Marion County courthouse/jail project, a response is required.
Hammerle on… “Late Night,” “Dark Phoenix” and “The Dead Don’t Die”
Movie reviewer Robert Hammerle says “Late Night” has Oscar potential, “Dark Phoenix” is tiresome, and “The Dead Don’t Die” is entertaining, if underplayed.
Start Page: Living the iPad lifestyle — Trade in legal pad, pen
Recent iPad software developments represent an opportunity for doing “real” work on the iPad, making it an integral part of a lawyer’s workflow.
Hammerle on… “Aladdin” and “Rocketman”
A remake of a Disney classic and a biopic on a classic rock star are both crowd-pleasers, movie reviewer Robert Hammerle reports.
DTCI: See you in New Orleans at the DRI Annual Meeting Oct. 16-19
DRI will hold its annual meeting in New Orleans beginning Oct. 16. DRI has planned a week of spectacular keynote speakers, cutting-edge CLE presentations and plenty of networking events just for you.
Noe Dudas: Columbus lawyer’s got game after rediscovering lost calling
Sometimes seemingly unrelated things are actually strongly connected, although we may not realize it. Skills translate more than we realize, and it is the goal of this column to explore examples of Indiana lawyers who find ways to bring value to their practice with skills gleaned from unrelated interests. Today, I’d like to tell you about Tim Vrana.
Stafford: In judges shooting, time to investigate the investigation
When a man who police believe shot two judges in downtown Indianapolis walked free after the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office declined to charge him, everyone involved had to know the decisive inaction would combust into smoldering rumors and speculation.
Marquez: Jumping through hoops to secure critical data
Many of us fail to realize that we are sitting targets for hackers to infiltrate our computers and demand a ransom or even steal the confidential data we have stockpiled on behalf of our firms and clients, and even our personal information.
Quick: Marketing checklist — which are your firm’s best choices?
It used to be pretty easy: Get that big ad in the print Yellow Pages, next to dozens of competing law firms, and you’re done. But how do you market your firm in the digital age?
Bowling: Calm within the storm — Advice for new attorneys
As much as I’d like to tell you otherwise, beginning your new career that you’ve devoted the last three years of your life preparing for isn’t all sunsets and splendor. It’s tough, but with the right advice and the right attitude, it can be fun.
Lueken: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act requires review of irrevocable trusts
Have you reviewed your clients’ estate plans since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Act”) took effect? Among its myriad changes, the Tax Act drastically increased the federal estate tax exemption.
Kissel & Snellenbarger: When to tell the IRS about gifts to children
When giving gifts to children, we think about birthdays and achievements, but we rarely question whether those gifts are taxable or reportable. Even if only using a portion of your lifetime exemption, be sure gifts to children are reported when necessary.
Retzner: Indiana’s ‘legacy trust’ law creates new asset protection strategy
Indiana embarks on a bold new planning strategy on July 1. As of that date, individuals will be able to avail themselves of “legacy trusts” as an additional method by which they can lawfully protect assets against creditors.
Trimble: The continuum of law — not a one-size-fits-all profession
As I have made my own observations about the pace of change in the legal profession, and the supposed differences in generations, I have come to the realization that a career in law is a continuum, and that we all slide up and down that continuum as our life cycles change. Law never has been, nor will it ever be a “one-size-fits-all” occupation.
Hammerle on… “Hail Satan?” and “John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum”
For a devilish mockumentary, movie reviewer Robert Hammerle suggests “Hail Satan?” And as a cinematic shooting gallery but little more, “John Wick: Chapter 3 — Parabellum” hits the target.
Federal Bar Update: Be careful with summary judgment
As federal court practitioners know, in seeking summary judgment, the movant must set forth the facts favorably for the non-movant. In a recent ruling, Chief Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson issued a must-read 44-page opinion reinforcing the importance of this requirement.