General counsel of state insurance department promoted to top job
Gov. Eric Holcomb appointed Amy Beard to succeed Stephen Robertson, who’d been insurance commissioner since 2010.
IL Staff
Articles
Ex-nursing home CEO taking fight against Barnes & Thornburg to 7th Circuit
James Burkhart, who led American Senior Communities, had argued Barnes & Thornburg failed to disclose a “profound conflict of interest” that compromised its representation of him.
12 selected as Court of Appeals semifinalists
The Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission will conduct a second round of interviews with the 12. It ultimately will narrow the pool to three finalists and submit those names to Gov. Eric Holcomb for final selection.
AG Rokita expands Big Tech probe to include minority organizations
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is pressuring the leaders of minority organizations for information that he claims might help his “investigation of censorship practices” by Big Tech companies.
Opinions May 12, 2021
Indiana Court of Appeals
Br.S. v. J.N.S.
20A-AD-1790
Adoption. Reverses the Delaware Circuit Court’s ruling that although mother J.N.S. did not communicate with her children when she was able to do so, her lack of communication was justified. Finds J.N.S. did not have justifiable cause for not communicating with the children, so her consent to their adoption by their stepmother is unnecessary. Remands for the trial court to determine whether adoption is in the best interests of the children.
Southern District offering virtual Teacher Institute next month
The event provides an opportunity for government and social studies teachers in Indiana middle and high schools to learn about the operations of Indiana’s federal courts.
Justices to hear premises-liability arguments against Menards
The case stems from an injury a man sustained after a sink fell on him at an Elkhart County Menards store.
Legislative Council sets topics for 2021 interim committees
Ten interim study committees were assigned topics by the Legislative Council. The committees will meet during the summer and fall months in preparation for the 2022 session of the Indiana General Assembly.
Indianapolis man, woman get 45 years for child sexual abuse, exploitation
Bennie W. Schuck II, 46, and Amber Talley, 36, were sentenced for sexually exploiting a child, including producing child pornography with the minor victim.
Justices to hear certified questions in medical malpractice case
The case stems from claims Jeffrey Cutchin brought against Sylvia Watson after she ran a red light and struck his vehicle, killing his wife and daughter.
Former IBJ editor Andrews takes reins at Indiana Lawyer
IBJ Media named veteran editor and journalist Greg Andrews as publisher and editor of The Indiana Lawyer, the first step in what CEO Nate Feltman called a major push to boost the profile and readership of the statewide legal publication.
AGs urge Facebook to drop ‘Instagram for kids’ proposal
A bipartisan group of 44 attorneys general has written to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg urging him to drop company plans for a version of Instagram for children under the age of 13, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Monday.
Indiana law school commencement season begins
The graduating law school classes of 2021 are participating this month in commencement ceremonies across the Hoosier state that began over the weekend with a virtual ceremony.
Supreme Court extends authority for expanded remote hearings
As Indiana courts prioritize their safe return to live and in-person hearings, the Indiana Supreme Court announced that public health conditions will likely require trial courts to retain expanded authority for remote hearings.
IU Maurer professor among 7 nationwide tapped as Access to Justice Scholar
An Indiana University Maurer School of Law professor is among seven law professors nationwide named as 2021-2022 American Bar Foundation/JPB Foundation Access to Justice Scholars, the ABF has announced.
IndyBar Foundation offering solo/small firm grants again in 2021
The Indianapolis Bar Foundation is once again offering up to $2,500 to lawyers who work with local service providers to help central Indiana families in need of legal services related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Justices reject appeal to make public Indianapolis’ Amazon HQ2 offer
The Indiana Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from a tax trade publication that sought disclosure of tax dollars and incentives Indianapolis and the state offered Amazon in the city’s failed attempt to lure the online retail giant’s coveted second headquarters project known as HQ2.
Former Marion Superior Judge Moores certified as senior judge
Longtime Marion County juvenile judge Marilyn Moores has been certified as a senior judge following her retirement last year.
Attorney suspended 90 days after second domestic violence conviction
A Logansport lawyer who was convicted for a second time of beating his wife will have his law license suspended for 90 days with automatic reinstatement, the Indiana Supreme Court has ruled.
Lawyer who sexted client draws 30-day suspension
An Indianapolis attorney will serve a 30-day suspension for sending sexually explicit text messages to a client, the Indiana Supreme Court ordered.