Maurer students again offering free tax services
Starting this week, Indiana University Maurer School of Law students will continue their annual tradition of helping qualified Monroe County residents prepare their taxes for free.
Pro bono
Articles
Lapse in government funding worsens immigration backlog
The recent partial government shutdown — the longest in United States History — left federal lawyers scrambling as the government agencies they work with were shuttered, leaving cases unresolved, hearings missed and clients uncertain.
Notre Dame law students help women, children seeking asylum
Students and faculty from Notre Dame Law School and local immigration advocates volunteered over the holidays with the Dilley Pro Bono Project in Texas, which helps women and their children seeking asylum in the United States.
ISBA’s ‘Talk to a Lawyer Today’ coming to more than 20 locations
Indiana attorneys statewide will pay tribute to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. by offering free legal help to Hoosiers who otherwise may not be able to afford the counsel of a lawyer.
Study: Indiana legal aid agencies return $6.70 for every dollar invested
A recent study examined 12 separate legal services agencies around Indiana and calculated the organizations’ social return on investment. The group dug into the financials for the year 2017 and concluded that for every $1 invested in Indiana legal aid that year, the state received $6.70 in immediate and long-term financial benefits.
New site a landing page for civil legal aid
The Coalition for Court Access recently launched the website Indianalegalhelp.org. Now, Hoosiers needing help with a divorce, child custody issue, eviction or other civil legal problems have a new place to find answers and additional resources without having to make a phone call, schedule an appointment or even drive to a courthouse.
After heartbreak, Evansville’s public law library writing next chapter
At any time during the week, members of the public, pro se litigants and attorneys find their way into the Evansville public law library and quickly turn a quiet day into a busy one.
ILAS pushing harder on holiday campaign
The Indianapolis Legal Aid Society has again kicked off its annual holiday campaign, the nonprofit’s major fundraiser that has undergone many tweaks and alterations in recent years but remains the primary source for unrestricted dollars.
ABA introduces increased services for military, veterans
In recognition and honor of veterans and active military personnel, the American Bar Association reaffirmed its commitment to those who have served by introducing the newly formed ABA Military and Veterans Legal Center.
Addressing opioids requires stakeholders to work together
Disconnect between Americans with addictions and civil legal aid options was the subject of the Oct. 17 meeting of the Legal Services Corp.’s Opioid Task Force. Gathered in downtown Indianapolis ahead of LSC’s board meeting in the Circle City, the task force met to address the civil legal aid implications of the opioid epidemic.
Bridging the justice gap: LSC board meeting highlights civil aid collaboration
As the need for civil legal aid continues to outstrip the resources to provide representation, Legal Services Corporation maintains that collaborating and partnering with other nonprofits can boost the ability to reach more low-income people and families.
LSC forum emphasizes benefits of working together
Taking a break Friday morning from its multi-day meeting in Indianapolis, Legal Services Corporation held a series of public discussions showcasing how collaboration can amplify the impact of legal aid.
Access to justice forum, pro bono awards on LSC agenda
The Legal Services Corporation Board of Governors is arriving in Indianapolis on Thursday for its quarterly meeting, marking the first time the board has met in the Circle City in years.
Puerto Rican lawyer advocates for justice after hurricane
After losing electricity around 4 a.m., Adi Martínez Román braced herself for the worst as Hurricane Maria slammed into her Puerto Rican home in September 2017.
IndyBar: Give Back, for Two Hours Only: Attorney and Paralegal Volunteers Needed for Ask A Lawyer on October 9
Don’t have much time, but want to lend a hand? Ask A Lawyer, a two-hour legal advice program, may be right for you.
Domestic violence coalition grows network of lawyers to help survivors
The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s Satellite Attorney Program offers free civil legal services to low-income victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. The program has a network of just over 100 attorneys across Indiana and, since January 2016, has provided legal advice or counsel, including direct representation, in roughly 350 cases.
Legal aid groups cast wider net to diversify funding
The Indiana Supreme Court is preparing to ask for an increase in civil legal aid funding when the Indiana General Assembly convenes for the 2019 session. The request will come as legal aid nonprofits try to diversify their donor base while looking for new ways to help the steady flow of people in need.
Supreme Court amends financial contribution reporting rules
Indiana attorneys will soon be required to report an additional type of financial contribution to the Indiana Supreme Court. Under amended Rule of Professional Conduct 6.7(a)(3), Hoosier attorneys will be required to report any monetary contributions made to an “IRC 501(c)(3) bar foundation in Indiana which provides financial support to a qualifying legal service organization or local pro bono district" starting Jan. 1.
Supreme Court: E-filing now covers 90 percent of state
Electronic filing now covers 90 percent of Indiana trial courts and nearly 80 percent of the state’s caseload is now handled through the Odyssey case management system, the Indiana Supreme Court highlighted Monday with the release of its annual report. The annual report includes a broad statistical overview of the work of the court during the 2017-2018 fiscal year.
IndyBar: Volunteers Needed for Fall Paternity Court Mediation Day, October 5
The IndyBar ADR Section Executive Committee is pleased to announce that we will host our Fall Mediation Day on October 5, 2018, at Barnes & Thornburg LLP. Through Mediation Day, we provide a service to our courts and community by volunteering our time to mediate several screened cases for litigants who qualify for modest means mediation.