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In-box: Diversity is of critical importance to state

April 13, 2011
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Letters to the editor, Opinion
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Letters to the Editor

Dear Mr. Maurer:

I am an attorney at Krieg DeVault LLP and chair of its diversity committee. I read with great interest your commentary in the Indiana Lawyer (March 30-April 12, 2011). It seems fitting those thoughts followed on the heels of a recent front page article in The Indianapolis Star highlighting the importance of diversity in many facets of Indianapolis life.

On a personal note, I wanted to thank you for sharing your thoughts leading up to the critical importance of diversity in our state and to its economic and civic vitality. As part of our law firm’s diversity initiatives, we strive to promote diversity in the legal profession as well as in our community. In part, Krieg DeVault puts its diversity initiatives into practice by partnering with its clients to sponsor diversity scholarships for law school students who reflect a commitment to and whose efforts contribute to diversity in the legal profession. 

I believe our firm is strengthened by diverse ideas, experiences, educational backgrounds, and values. I also believe businesses across Indiana, many of whom are our clients, benefit from Krieg DeVault’s efforts to seek out and retain diverse legal professionals. Let us hope that Indiana continues to draw business opportunities from a global community and that those affiliated with same continue to enrich Indiana.

Sincerely,

Linda J. Cooley
Krieg DeVault
Indianapolis
 


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  1. G. Michael Witte letter states he's suspended for three years. The case that got him suspended is identical to my estate case, including havin the Late Judge Deiter recuse himself because Newman had a conflict of interest with the judge. His Modus Operandi is nearly identical.

  2. SIGNED BY G. MICHAEL WITTE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY INDIANA SUPREME COURT DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION DATED MAY 17, 2012.

    Your 6th complaint against Lawrence T. Newman filed on 4/12/2012. On 1/31/12, the Indiana Supreme Court entered an order suspending Lawrence T. Newman’s law license for a period of three years. More important, even after three years, Lawrence Todd Newman will not get his license back unless and until he goes through a separate proceeding to prove that he is fit to practice law. This is not an easy process, and the burden is upon Lawrence T. Newman to prove by clear and convincing evidence that he is fit to return to practice.
    Because of the length of Lawrence T. Newman’s license suspension and the fact he may never succeed in getting his law license reinstated, we are not opening an investigation file at this time.
    Should Lawrence T. Newman seek reinstatement in the future, we will open your file and ask Lawrence T. Newman to address your grievance as part of his burden of proving fitness. We have attempted to notify Lawrence T. Newman that this will be required of him.
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