Technology - The Indiana Lawyer

Start Page: Digital evidence pilot program clears preflight checklist

March 31, 2021 | Seth Wilson

The Hamilton County courts have been piloting, in select family law cases, a program for the online submission of trial exhibits through a website called CaseLines, part of Thomson Reuters. Attorneys and their teams can log in to a website, upload their digital exhibits for a hearing and the participants have access to those files for the hearing. The website is one place where the exhibits are stored and all participants can access at the hearing.

Lawmakers press Big Tech CEOs on speech responsibility

March 26, 2021 | Associated Press

The CEOs of tech giants Facebook, Twitter and Google faced a grilling Thursday in Congress as lawmakers tried to draw them into acknowledging their companies’ roles in fueling the January insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and rising COVID-19 vaccine misinformation.

Northern District Court extends virtual proceedings through June 14

March 22, 2021 | IL Staff

As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues across Indiana, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana is extending its authorization of video and teleconferencing in court proceedings by three months.

Marquez: Tap into the power of unplugging to refresh and recharge

March 17, 2021 | Deanna Marquez

Making a habit of unplugging ourselves from technology is key to improving our effectiveness in all aspects of life. As strange as it sounds, there are some technology tips that can greatly assist in helping to unplug throughout your day.

Employment lawyers expect businesses to impose new restrictions on remote workers

March 17, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

While in the post-pandemic world employees may still be able to spend at least a few days each month working in their pajamas, they will likely encounter more requirements, mandates and restrictions when doing so.

Even virtually, law school clinics teach value of personal connection

March 17, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

Talking and connecting is important in any legal setting, but for the clinics at law schools around Indiana, in-person interaction not only helps the students learn valuable skills, it also may provide low-income individuals the only means to get legal help.

New online court hearing calendar in use by more than 30 counties

March 5, 2021 | IL Staff

The Indiana Supreme Court has launched a new online tool providing information about daily dockets for courts in more than 30 Indiana counties. The tool follows court rules requiring courts to make daily calendars public and permitting courts to livestream proceedings due to COVID-19.

Start Page: Reduce cost of smartphone ownership: Limit interruptions

February 17, 2021 | Seth Wilson

Over the next few articles, I will share some thoughts on setting your devices up for a “palm practice” (practicing law from the palm of your hand). Most lawyers now have smartphones or devices with us every day. But, with great power comes great responsibility. While these tools are helpful, they can also increase the sense that we should always be working on something.

DTCI: For better or worse, Zoom has changed the practice of law

February 17, 2021 | From DTCI

For lawyers, COVID has forced us out of courtrooms, mediations, conferences and client visits. Videoconferencing software, usually Zoom, has stepped in to fill the void. Zoom is an imperfect substitute with plenty of drawbacks. However, after nearly a year litigating cases via Zoom, it has become an ingrained part of the practice of law. Even after COVID, Zoom is likely here to stay.

COA orders new hearing on $32K civil forfeiture

February 10, 2021 | Olivia Covington

A Hancock County trial court must revisit the forfeiture of more than $32,000 related to a marijuana bust after the Indiana Court of Appeals found errors in various evidentiary rulings.

Attorney-at-paw? Filter during Zoom hearing makes lawyer appear as cat

February 10, 2021 | Associated Press

A West Texas judge has a word of caution to those attending court hearings via Zoom: Always check for filters before logging on. The advice came after a Texas lawyer had difficulty removing the filter during the hearing, assuring the judge, “I’m here live. I’m not a cat.”

Gearing up: Automated driving technology experts offer advice, anticipation for future

February 3, 2021 | Katie Stancombe

As new vehicle models are released each year, automated driving technologies become increasingly available to consumers. Experts say attorneys will need to familiarize themselves with the evolving technology to be equipped for future cases and how it may fundamentally change their practices.

Remote advantage: Business attorneys have discovered some unexpected benefits to virtual hearings

February 3, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

While the jury is still out on how increased use of remote technology will impact litigation in the future, business lawyers have seen a decrease in expenses and an increase in efficiency that is likely to benefit clients and productivity.

Mizzell: You can’t ignore texts and chat messages in e-discovery

February 3, 2021

Texts and chat messages are informal and fragmented forms of communication that can be hard to address in both written discovery and the technical collection of documents. So here are a few suggestions to help attorneys who are just starting to grapple with this developing area of electronic discovery.

Trimble: New Year’s resolutions after a tumultuous 2020

January 20, 2021 | John Trimble

Indianapolis lawyer John Trimble exhorts members of the legal profession to shake off the malaise and resolve to charge ahead into 2021 with the renewed vigor to get through the mountain of challenges and to do what we can to make things better.

Virtual Indiana State of State speech amid protest threat

January 19, 2021 | Associated Press

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s annual State of the State address will be a virtual event Tuesday night rather than delivered before the typical joint session of the General Assembly.

Supreme Court Innovation Initiative adds Civil Litigation Taskforce

January 14, 2021 | IL Staff

The Indiana Supreme Court’s Innovation Initiative is expanding, with the court creating a third working group to address issues surrounding civil litigation.

Social media crackdown continues after siege of US Capitol

January 12, 2021 | Associated Press

Twitter suspended more than 70,000 accounts associated with the far right QAnon conspiracy and Facebook is removing posts and content fraudulently claiming that the U.S. election was stolen as social media companies scramble to rein in harmful activity ahead of the presidential inauguration on Jan. 20.

Supreme Court launches pretrial diversion pilot program

January 8, 2021 | IL Staff

A pretrial pilot program aimed at preserving judicial resources has been launched in four Indiana counties. The pilot will allow prosecutors to offer pretrial diversion to defendants charged with a variety of low-level offenses.

Courts not seeking more funds in 2021

January 6, 2021 | Olivia Covington

Given the economic toll the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on Indiana’s budget, the Indiana Supreme Court is not requesting additional funding in the next biennial budget that will be drafted during the 2021 Legislative session. Instead, the court is asking the General Assembly to keep funding steady and has reverted funds to the state through pandemic-related savings.

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