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.
University of Notre Dame Law School
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Indiana law professors sign letters opposing Kavanaugh confirmation
Law professors from all four of Indiana’s law schools have signed letters asking the United States Senate to oppose the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. One letter argues Kavanaugh lacks the temperament to be seated on the nation’s highest court, while the other asserts he was not fully vetted and that his judgments would erode civil and individual rights.
New COA judge Tavitas honored as ‘true public servant’ at robing ceremony
There are many adjectives friends and colleagues used to describe Elizabeth Tavitas, the newest Indiana Court of Appeals judge, when they gathered to celebrate her ceremonial robing on Monday. But as each speaker described their unique experiences with Tavitas, there was a common theme running through each set of remarks: service.
Red Masses scheduled around the state
Catholic dioceses around Indiana are preparing to celebrate the traditional Red Mass in coming weeks. Special receptions will follow each service and feature keynote speakers discussing an array of topics of interest to the legal community.
With applications rising, 1Ls bring strong credentials
The Law School Admissions Council is reporting an 8.1 percent increase in applications for the 2018-2019 academic year compared to the previous school year. Also, applicants with higher LSAT scores are returning, as evidenced by the 1L classes at Indiana’s law schools.
After a decade, Notre Dame Law dean Newton prepares to step down
The law school dean who has written scholarly articles that have been cited in U.S. Supreme Court decisions and who claims “My Cousin Vinny” is her favorite legal movie will be returning to the classroom next summer.
Elkhart wrongful conviction case latest in county’s justice system
An effort to exonerate a man with limited mental capacity who was convicted of murder 13 years ago is the latest in a string of criminal cases that have put a spotlight on the extraordinary number of wrongful convictions in Elkhart County.
Law schools introduce 1Ls to profession’s obligations, responsibilities
As another academic year begins at Indiana’s law schools, 1L students are brought on the campuses a few days before classes begin to learn the practical things they’ll need to know. But the schools also are offering early lessons on ethics and professionalism.
1L class brings strong credentials; 104 students return to Valpo
Freshly arriving law students are turning on their laptops, getting their student IDs, finalizing their schedules and preparing for the start of classes at Indiana’s law schools. The new law school year has started or will start in the next week at all four of Indiana’s law schools.
Notre Dame Law dean Newton stepping down in 2019
Saying 10 years is long enough, Nell Jessup Newton will be stepping down as dean of the Notre Dame Law School July 1, 2019. Newton will continue to remain on the faculty.
Elkhart man moves to withdraw wrongful conviction petition
A mentally disabled man challenging his conviction in a 2002 Elkhart murder has moved to withdraw his petition to vacate judgment in favor of filing a successive petition for post-conviction relief.
Slaughter replaces David as Coalition for Court Access chair
Indiana Supreme Court Justice Geoffrey Slaughter has taken over as chair of the Coalition for Court Access, while three additional members have been appointed to serve under him. He will take over for Justice Steven David, who had chaired the coalition since its 2016 inception.
Former NDLS clinic administrator sentenced to seven years
Jennifer Ihns, the former administrator for the Clinical Law Center at the University of Notre Dame Law School, will spend two years in the Indiana Department of Correction for embezzling nearly $200,000 from the clinic.
Class of 2013 passes on lessons learned from entering bleak job market
Five years ago, 46,776 law students graduated in the Class of 2013, the largest number ever. The celebration was short-lived for many, because the new lawyers walked into a bleak job market that was not showing any signs of improvement from the nosedive that started during the Great Recession.
NDLS alum’s ‘Ironclad’ aims to help lawyers focus on lawyering
Attorney-turned-technology-entrepreneur Jason Boehmig knew from his time working as a law firm associate that creating software for the legal profession would be complicated. The legal profession had not adopted technology like other industries such as sales, finance, and human resources, but Boehmig believed law firms and legal departments would inevitably start incorporating software and hardware specifically made to help attorneys do their jobs.
Commencement ceremonies set for Class of 2018
Don the academic regalia and cue the Pomp and Circumstance — Indiana’s law schools are ready to host their graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2018, beginning with Indiana University Maurer School of Law’s commencement Saturday in Bloomington.
Hiring improves for smaller law school Class of 2017
The Class of 2017 graduating from Indiana law schools followed the national trend of being smaller than the previous class and posting better jobs numbers, but the Hoosier graduates moved in the opposite direction by posting a slight increase in unemployment, according new data released from the American Bar Association.
ABA poised to say ‘buh-bye’ to LSAT
A longstanding requirement of law school admission – taking the LSAT – could be eliminated under a proposal being considered by the American Bar Association.
IP clinics at IU Maurer, Notre Dame help inventors protect ideas, launch dreams
With the help of the intellectual property law clinics at Indiana University Maurer School of Law and Notre Dame Law Schools, inventors are securing patents and protections that could give their ideas the commercial boost the need to compete in the marketplace.
First-timers improve, but February bar passage hits record low
The troubled relationship that would-be lawyers have with the Indiana Bar Exam continues as the preliminary 47 percent overall passage rate from February 2018 is the lowest on record.