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DTCI: What does work-life balance mean, and how do you find it?

We all know the variety and levels of stress associated with practicing law. There are constant demands on our time, intense pressures of performing well and obtaining good results for our clients, the assumption that we are all constantly available through technology, and our own self-driven motivators that led us to our chosen profession. But it is important to have the right amount of balance within your career and within your home life. 

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IJA: Is justice served — literally?

In 2010, three Columbia University researchers worked with the Israeli justice system and looked at over 1,000 rulings made in the courtroom, over almost a year, about probation and parole. The results showed, as blogger Alex Mayyasi wrote on the website Priceonomics, that “the judges’ decision-making ability was as lousy as a kindergartener’s focus right before a snack break.”

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Bont: Taking a dramatic look at money laundering

Money laundering is transferring the proceeds of an unlawful activity by means and methods that are designed to conceal the nature or source of the money. 18 U.S.C. § 1956. The Bank Secrecy Act requires financial institutions in the United States to file a report for any deposit or withdrawal of more than $10,000. In evaluating liability for money laundering, there are two threshold issues to keep in mind. 

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Start Page: How I pre-bill my time to get the right things done each week

In the book “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” Stephen Covey talks about the principle of beginning with the end of your life in mind. I suggest a smaller version of the concept. Ask yourself each week, “what do I want/need to accomplish this week?” Write down the items. As you look at the list, think of how you would bill your client for accomplishing that task. 

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Hopper: Restraining forces in law practice succession planning, Part 2

The thought of mentoring junior attorneys can be a restraining force in itself. Some of you are probably thinking, “Been there, done that!” having invested in a junior attorney (or more than one) who then opened their own practice, joined another practice or wasn’t a good match after all. But even given what seems like a daunting task, it can be done.

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Stafford: In all seriousness, 2018 Leadership in Law class sets high bar

I’ve gotten to know Indiana Lawyer’s 2018 Leadership in Law honorees a bit in the past few weeks. What I’ve learned is, in addition to being collectively capable of handling just about any legal matter imaginable, our Distinguished Barristers and Up and Coming Lawyers also demonstrate the spirit, dedication, humanity and drive to make their profession and their communities better.

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Dean’s Desk: Graduating class of 2018 provides opportunity to reflect

On May 5, our faculty, staff, friends and family will gather in Indiana University’s beautiful auditorium to celebrate the IU Maurer School of Law Class of 2018. Presiding at our commencement ceremony is a privilege, and our graduates will go on to do great things. I look forward to having them return to the school to hear of their continued success.

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Hays & Lee: Prepare to break through mediation impasses

A primary reason for an unsuccessful mediation is when an impasse occurs and parties are unwilling to compromise further to reach resolution. Lawyers representing clients in mediation should see it coming and try to avoid it if they really want to settle their case. Avoiding an impasse should not only be the duty of the mediator, but of participating counsel.

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Pinkus: A big decision on software and copyright fair use

Few of us get through a day without relying on software based on the Java or Android platforms, and every day for a decade the companies behind them have been locked in battle. Oracle and Google are litigating whether 11,500 lines of Java source code copied verbatim by Google can be used by it for free under the “fair use” defense to infringement in the Copyright Act.

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