IL Staff - The Indiana Lawyer

State files suit against mortgage lender

January 1, 2008

Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter has filed a lawsuit against mortgage lender Countrywide Home Loans Inc. for questionable practices, making Indiana the fifth state to take action against the largest lender in the country. The suit, No. 76C01-0808-PL-652, was mailed to Steuben Circuit Court Aug. 22 and filed the same day. The suit, which includes Countrywide’s parent company, Countrywide Financial Corporation, alleges the company engaged in deceptive and misleading practices that put borrowers in potentially risky and costly loans. Carter’s investigation…

IU law alumnus gives $2 million for scholarships

January 1, 2008

Indiana University School of Law – Bloomington alumnus Bill Hunt and his wife, Nancy, have donated $2 million to be used to provide scholarships to students working toward a law degree at Indiana Law.

Russian lawyers in Indy to learn legal system

January 1, 2008

Five Russian lawyers currently are visiting Indianapolis to learn about United States' legal issues and legal system.

State senator dies at home

January 1, 2008

State Sen. David C. Ford, R – Hartford City, died this morning in his home from complications related to pancreatic cancer. He was 59 years old. The four-term lawmaker was receiving hospice care and chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer in January. He kept abreast of this session via telephone and computer. In 2007, Ford served as assistant majority floor leader and chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Technology. He also was a member of the Judiciary, Tax…

EBA executive director retires

January 1, 2008

Susan Helfrich, executive director of the Evansville Bar Association and Evansville Bar Foundation, retires today after nearly 25 years of service to the organizations.

Program focuses on schizophrenia, treatments

January 1, 2008

The director who oversees daily operations of services to mentally ill detainees in a Chicago jail will be the featured speaker of the program, “Choices in Recovery: Schizophrenia.” Dr. Carl Alaimo, director and chief psychologist of the Department of Mental Health Services for Cermak Health Services of Cook County, Ill., will speak during a program May 8 in Greenwood. He has more than 30 years experience in the fields of mental health, chemical dependency, substance abuse treatment, and training in correctional…

Arguments set in Lake County early-voting case

January 1, 2008

The Indiana Court of Appeals will hear arguments in the Lake County early-voter registration appeal at 1:30 p.m. EDT Oct. 30 in the Indiana Supreme Court Courtroom, Statehouse Room 317, Indianapolis.

ICADV’s annual conference, auction Oct. 21-22

January 1, 2008

Two nationally known activists will speak at the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence's 26th annual fall conference Oct. 21-22 in Indianapolis.

Former Allen County judge dies

January 1, 2008

Former Allen Superior Judge Norman E. Baker died Wednesday in Fort Wayne. Baker, an Evansville native, served as an Allen Superior Court Civil Division judge. He also served as a senior judge in the court.

Manslaughter article nets law professor award

January 1, 2008

An Indiana University School of Law – Bloomington professor has won a prestigious national award for the article he co-authored with an IU-Bloomington psychology professor about voluntary manslaughter.

Appeals court to visit Marion, Vigo counties

January 1, 2008

The Indiana Court of Appeals continues to travel around the state this month, making stops in Marion and Vigo counties Tuesday. Judges Patricia Riley, James Kirsch, and Margret Robb will hear arguments in Gary and Katherine Hoesman v. Daniel Sheffler, et al., No. 77A01-0708-CV-385, at 10:30 a.m. in the Cecilian Auditorium in the Conservatory of Music Building at the St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Vigo County. In this case, a trust’s beneficiaries discovered the trust administrator had converted funds for her personal…

AG resolves credit freeze law violation

January 1, 2008

Equifax Information Services, one of the three national credit reporting agencies, has agreed to pay $65,000 to resolve allegations that it failed to comply with Indiana's credit freeze law, Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter said yesterday.

Commission admonishes Howard County judge

January 1, 2008

A Howard Superior judge has received a public admonition for his April 2008 actions in that county's prosecutor's office. In lieu of filing formal disciplinary proceedings, the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications issued the admonition, as allowed by the Indiana Supreme Court.

Director’s victims’ rights work gains recognition

January 1, 2008

The U.S. Attorney’s Office recognized the work of Jean Hahn, director of the Jennings County Council on Domestic Violence in honor of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.Hahn was awarded the 2008 U.S. Attorney’s Carol S. Morris Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Rights of Victims April 18. Hahn took over the Jennings County Council on Domestic Violence when the agency was facing numerous challenges and turned the agency into a strong voice for victims of domestic and sexual violence in Jennings…

ISBA members approve judges up for retention

January 1, 2008

The five Indiana judges up for retention this November have received overwhelming support from Indiana State Bar Association members. The ISBA poll shows no judge or justice received less than 83 percent of "yes" votes for retention.

High court grants transfer, remands case

January 1, 2008

The Indiana Supreme Court granted transfer Dec. 16 to a post-conviction case and remanded it to the Indiana Court of Appeals.

Indiana first to sign Great Lakes Compact

January 1, 2008

Indiana became the first state to adopt the updated Great Lakes Compact Thursday. Gov. Mitch Daniels signed SEA 45, which implements added protections on Great Lakes water through the multi-state agreement. The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact was first developed more than five years ago and ensures that authority over water uses from the Great Lakes stays in the region. It also provides that economic development will be fostered through sustainable use and management of the waters and that…

Supreme Court honors longtime employees

January 1, 2008

The Indiana Supreme Court this afternoon honored 15 employees who have spent 10 to 30 years working in the judicial branch. It's a tradition for the high court to honor the long-serving employees of the courts with a plaque commemorating their loyalty.

Notable attorney to speak at IU-Bloomington

January 1, 2008

A prominent attorney, civil rights leader, and political figure will deliver the 2008 Neal-Marshall Lecture in Public Policy March 27 at Indiana University in Bloomington.Vernon E. Jordan Jr. will share his thoughts about the current presidential campaign and other topics in his lecture, “America – Crossing Boundaries of Possibility.” Jordan was executive director of the United Negro College Fund Inc., president and CEO of the National Urban League Inc., served as an advisor to President Bill Clinton, and has practiced law in Arkansas…

Justices tap special judge in Lake County case

January 1, 2008

The Indiana Supreme Court has appointed Lake Superior Judge Diane Kavadias Schneider, Civil Division 1, as a special judge in the consolidated Lake County cases involving the operations of early-voting sites in East Chicago, Gary, and Hammond, according to Kathryn Dolan, Indiana Supreme Court spokesperson.

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