Hammerle on… “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,” “Widows”
Movie reviewer Robert Hammerle finds fantastic disappointment in the latest chapter from the J.K. Rowling universe while the complex “Widows” is full of surprises.
Opinion
Articles
Making Rain: What is great service worth? Ask the service industry
Just like law firms and lawyers, how hotels and restaurants treat their customers or clients is what really matters. Here are a few things to consider, taken from the hospitality industry, to keep your clients coming back and willing to pay a premium for your services.
Criminal Case: Michael Cohen, Paul Manafort and the Art of the (plea) Deal
Details and differences in the plea agreements entered by former Donald Trump associates Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen provide some insights into potential flexibility in cutting deals with federal prosecutors.
Mental Fitness: An open letter to the family of a person with a mental health struggle
I was introduced to the mental healthcare system 17 years ago when I was a senior in high school. Unfortunately, if you are a beginner, the process will likely be highly stressful for you, difficult to understand, and will involve a lot of trial and error over a long period of time.
Plugged In: iPhone feature updates you didn’t know you were thankful for
As we approach the time of year when we all attempt to put down our phones, pause and reflect upon things for which we are thankful, we often get sidetracked and pick our phones back up. You may not even realize there are a couple of new iPhone features that will help you retrain yourself to spend more time pausing and reflecting.
Dean’s Desk: IU Maurer programs supporting careers in cybersecurity
Indiana University Maurer School of Law is leading the way through its new master of science in cybersecurity risk management. That degree program combines the resources of three of IU’s top-ranked schools — the Kelley School of Business, the School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering and the Maurer School of Law — to provide students with a broad range of courses that prepare them for a world where technologies evolve faster than the laws and policies that govern them.
Federal Bar Update: Southern District proposes local rule changes
The Southern District of Indiana Court has published for comment proposed changes to several local rules, with the full text available on the court’s website. Several of the proposals address practices and procedures that arise in many cases.
Quality of Life: Reflecting on the gifts of a 90th birthday celebration
We recently celebrated my mother’s 90th birthday. I found myself wondering during her birthday party, “What is it, besides good genes, that keeps Mom going like the Energizer Bunny?” As I pondered this, I discovered that Mom’s life can provide an excellent roadmap for living life to the fullest.
Stafford: Curtis Hill’s new challenge — Elvis options becoming limited
Attorney General Curtis Hill is caught in a trap. He can’t walk out. Because he loves bein’ AG too much, bay-bay. Hill’s troubles are casting serious doubt not just on his fitness and ability to carry out his official duties, but also on his sometimes avocation as an Elvis impersonator.
Living Fit: Jump in, get in the swim: The water may save your life
The days are darker and colder, our clothing is bulkier, and the holiday parties are in full swing. Knock, knock — the inevitable 10-pound weight gain is at the door. Batten down the hatches and take a plunge into the wonderful world of water.
Succession Planning: What should you plan for in the event you become disabled?
Normal law practice succession planning involves developing a plan for your law practice that will be implemented over the next one to five years. But what about having a plan to deal with issues such as short-term illness, disability, vacations and death?
Hadley: E-Discovery — a new sporting contest in criminal prosecutions
Among the hot-button political issues of our time is criminal justice reform. Critics rightly point out that the system at the state and federal levels can marshal its extensive resources to target poor and marginalized communities. Although such abuses receive extensive commentary in the press, less focus is devoted to the potential for governmental abuse in prosecuting white-collar crime.
Cunningham: Financial experts bridge the gap between causation, damages
In civil litigation, causation is a critical element in establishing the plaintiff’s cause of action by linking the defendant’s alleged misconduct to the claimed economic harm. Because of this linkage between causation and damages, qualified financial experts are often in a position to provide analyses to the trier of fact that can assist in deciding whether the causal link has been proven by the plaintiff.
Shives & Leagre: Use technology to improve your legal writing
Technology can be a boon for your writing if you know how to use it, but knowing how to use it is key. Today’s built-in and add-on programs may help improve your writing without the obvious use of assistive software. The end result may just be a more persuasive, clear, and concise written product.
Hammerle on… “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Free Solo”
Movie reviewer Robert Hammerle says not to believe the critics who pan the Freddie Mercury biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody,” while the edge-of-your-seat “Free Solo” ranks among the year’s best documentaries.
Law Student Outlook: Mental health and the legal profession
As 2Ls who recently, and very thankfully, came out of a challenging season of firm recruitment successfully, a small fraction of that stress is no longer weighing on us, but that does not change the overall mental health landscape typical of law school. Beyond that, the workplace culture that we will enter upon graduating and passing the bar is nearly guaranteed to continue that cycle.
Start Page: Use automation to harness benefits of modern technology
Why is there so much talk about automation in the practice of law these days? Almost every legal technology source extols the benefits of automation. There must be a reason, right? Yes. Automation of routine tasks can benefit your practice in multiple ways.
Millis: Time’s up: AIA retires 2007 contract forms, makes key changes
Commercial construction lawyers use American Institute of Architects (AIA) forms more than any other. Every 10 years, the AIA updates its contract documents to reflect legal trends and changes in the industry. If you are one who has waited to make the switch to the 2017 forms, your time is up.
Law: Ben Franklin and the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
As part of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, socially conscious investors now have the opportunity to defer or even avoid taxes on capital gains received from the sale or exchange of an investment. Under the new tax benefit, investors can defer tax on prior capital gains if their prior capital gains are invested in a Qualified Opportunity Fund.
Rush & Chaudhary: Joining forces to fight the opioid crisis
It is imperative that our legal system work on sustainable solutions to the opioid crisis. This epidemic is not only a major public health crisis — it also creates a variety of civil legal challenges.