Southern District - The Indiana Lawyer

General Assembly: Indiana isn’t ‘employer’ in groping suit against Hill

September 3, 2019 | Olivia Covington

The Indiana House and Senate are doubling down on their argument that Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill cannot adequately represent their interests against discrimination and retaliation allegations brought by three legislative staffers against Hill and the state. In new court filings, the two legislative bodies say they are the entities that are legally considered the women’s employers, so they alone have the right to defend their sexual harassment prevention and response policies against the harassment allegations.

Woman freed after murder conviction vacated in 2001 slaying

August 28, 2019 | Associated Press and IL Staff

An Indiana woman who successfully argued she had ineffective legal counsel at her murder trial for the 2001 slaying of her boyfriend in Lafayette during a sex game has been released.

Indiana Youth Group seeks to intervene in lawsuit against Brownsburg schools

August 23, 2019

A group representing transgender students filed a motion Thursday to intervene in a lawsuit brought by a teacher who claims Brownsburg Community School Corp. violated his religious freedom rights by requiring him to refer to students with gender dysphoria by their preferred names.

Web Exclusive: ILS files labor-trafficking suit for migrant workers

August 21, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

A recently filed complaint on behalf of several foreign nationals who have traveled to the United States for work has Indiana Legal Services Migrant Farmworker Law Center attorney Kristin Hoffman excited.

7th Circuit rules against inmate’s FOIA requests in triple-murder

August 14, 2019

A Southern District Court judge’s order that the federal government disclose personal information stemming from a triple murder it had previously refused to turn over has been reversed. The 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals found that public interest does not support the information’s disclosure, simultaneously affirming that certain documents were protected by an exception of the Freedom of Information Act.

7th Circuit affirms pro bono denial; judges may recruit to amend complaints

August 7, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

The 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed the denial of a man’s request for pro bono representation, but not before correcting a district court’s reading of language about its discretion to recruit counsel until after the complaint was answered by the defendant.

Inspector general fights AG Hill’s subpoena in discipline case

July 26, 2019 | IL Staff

As the disciplinary action against Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill proceeds, a key player in the investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against Hill is claiming her records from the investigation are privileged.

Alleged drug ring leader’s trial moved to Evansville

July 22, 2019 | Associated Press

Richard Grundy III and four co-defendants first stood trial July 8 in Indianapolis on federal drug trafficking charges, but a mistrial was declared July 10 after a court order concerning jurors’ personal information was violated. Court documents show Grundy will now stand trial July 29 at the U.S. district court in Evansville.

Lawrence retiring from Southern Indiana District Court

June 26, 2019

Senior Judge William Lawrence of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana will retire June 30, creating a “bittersweet” moment for the federal court that was his judicial home for nearly 17 years.

Wood: 6 out of 7 chief judges in 7th Circuit soon to be women

May 13, 2019

Most chief judges at federal trial courts in the 7th Circuit — comprised of Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin — are already women. Soon, there'll be just one man among them, 7^th Circuit Chief Judge Diane Wood noted in a speech Monday.

U.S. Courts report immigration cases soar, district court filings rise

March 12, 2019

Immigration prosecutions increased 37 percent last year while overall filings in federal district courts rose 7 percent, according to the United States Courts’ 2018 Annual Report and Court Statistics. The report released Tuesday also found that filings in federal courts of appeal declined 2 percent in 2018.

Family, colleagues celebrate Hanlon at public investiture

February 19, 2019

Tilting the microphone down from the podium, the youngest daughter of new Southern District Judge James Patrick Hanlon drew smiles from his investiture crowd as she characterized her father as a hardworking man who always makes time for his kids.

Family, colleagues celebrate Hanlon at public investiture

February 5, 2019

In ceremonially donning his robe at his public investiture on Friday, Judge James Patrick Hanlon officially brought the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana to a full bench for the first time in nearly five years.

New federal Judge Hanlon: ‘Centered, focused, unflappable’

November 12, 2018

In describing former colleague James Patrick Hanlon’s even demeanor and ability to remain cool in heated situations, Faegre Baker Daniels partner Matthew Albaugh finally had to create an original description: “not flusterable.”

Judge William Lawrence found judiciary after thrown a curve

November 12, 2018

Southern District Judge William Lawrence took senior status in July, capping a distinguished career that began when he switched from swinging for the fences on the diamond, culminating with him calling balls and strikes from the bench.

Sweeney to take ceremonial oath as judge next month

October 31, 2018

The Indiana Southern District Court’s newest member, Judge James R. Sweeney, will be ceremonially sworn into office next month. Sweeney’s investiture ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, at the Birch Bayh Federal Building and United States Courthouse in downtown Indianapolis.

Southern District renews warning against jury duty scam

October 22, 2018

Increasing jury duty scams have led the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana to once again warn Hoosiers of potentially falling prey to an illegitimate summons. The court is reminding the public of tips to safeguard against scammers.

Sessions to speak to law enforcement group in Indianapolis

September 5, 2018

United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions will visit Indianapolis on Thursday to speak at the 2018 Indiana Law Enforcement Conference. Sessions is scheduled to speak on the importance of Project Safe Neighborhoods.

Judge rejects Hill’s bid to halt Marion County early voting

August 9, 2018

A motion filed by Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill to amend a consent decree establishing multiple early voting sites in Marion County for the upcoming November general election has been denied. Indiana Southern District Senior Judge Sarah Evans Barker wrote the state’s objections have no merit.

Drug dealer who kidnapped stripper’s siblings loses appeal of life sentence

July 27, 2018

A Detroit drug dealer who orchestrated the Indianapolis kidnapping of the minor brother and sister of a stripper who stole from him will spend the rest of his life in prison, the 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Thursday.

Articles