The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments in three Indiana cases Oct. 1 at Notre Dame Law School, including a lawsuit filed by African-American police officers and firefighters in Indianapolis who claim the promotion process is racially discriminatory.

The appeal in Kendale Adams, et al. v. Gregory Ballard, et al., 12-1874, challenges the final judgment in favor of the city of Indianapolis defendants, interim orders on summary judgment, and a motion to amend the complaint. The case comes from the Southern District of Indiana.

In United States of America v. Christopher Laraneta, 12-1302, the Circuit judges will hear the appeal of a sentence imposed in the Northern District of Indiana following Christopher Laraneta’s guilty plea on multiple child pornography charges. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison and to make restitution. The Circuit court has granted leave for an attorney for the victims to participate as an intervener in oral arguments.

In Emilio Martino v. Western & Southern Financial Group, 12-1855, out of the Northern District of Indiana, the judges will hear the appeal of summary judgment for Western & Southern Financial Group on Emilio Martino’s claim the company defamed him and discriminated and retaliated against him. Martino, a part-time Baptist pastor, claims his employment with the financial services company was improperly terminated because he refused to relinquish his position as pastor.  

The arguments will be held from 1 to 3 p.m., with a question-and-answer session with the presiding judges and case attorneys for law students to follow. A reception for the judges will be held in Eck Commons. The arguments are open to the public, but seating will be limited. A live, closed-circuit feed will also be broadcast in Room 1130 of Eck Hall of Law.

The policy of the 7th Circuit is to not release the names of the presiding judges until the day of the argument.

More information on the cases is available on Notre Dame Law School’s website.