A Paoli woman once convicted for the murder of her ex-husband says she was always certain she acted in self-defense. In a re-trial, a jury finally saw it her way and set her free. Read Managing Editor Daniel Carson's riveting interviews with Sabrina Dunn and her attorneys about an acquittal that is being hailed as a victory by advocates for victims of domestic violence. This edition of The Indiana Lawyer also has an interview with one of the most powerful attorneys in state government: Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray. Reporter Alexa Shrake talked to him about his somewhat surprising views on decriminalizing marijuana and how his experience as an attorney has helped him in the Legislature.  Also, you may have seen the new Hulu documentary on Westfield serial killer Herb Baumeister, but reporter Maura Johnson has more details on new methods being used to identify victims from the 10,000 bone fragments found at Baumeister's former Fox Hollow Farm.

Each year, Indiana's judges file financial disclosure forms that provide a window into their business interests, investments, outside compensation and gifts they received. Reporter Alexa Shrake took a deep dive into the disclosures and found gifts ranging from green fees to fishing trips and outside jobs involving everything from working as a stagehand at Pink and Taylor Swift concerts to serving as a board member for the Indianapolis Indians baseball team. Shrake also provides an update on the INjail computer system aimed at connecting all county jails to ease overcrowding, and reporter Maura Johnson take a look at a new democracy initiative at the University of Notre Dame. In Focus, managing editor Daniel Carson examines the potential impact of the proposed NCAA settlement on intellectual property law.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is using an unusual tactic to investigate what he calls potential labor trafficking networks and is seeking information about them as a way to crack down on illegal immigration. But, as Managing Editor Daniel Carson reports, some of the groups he has targeted are pushing back against his legal demands. Also in this week's edition of The Indiana Lawyer, reporter Maura Johnson lets you know how the historically-Black Marion County Bar Association is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and reporter Alexa Shrake reports on the need for more court-appointed special advocates for children. In Focus, Johnson explains why advocates are hopeful that the state's decision to provide longer parental leave will inspire the private sector to follow suit.  

How are religious groups responding to the Trump administration's new policy to allow immigration raids at houses of worship? Managing Editor Daniel Carson reports that some have sued the government, while others are preparing emergency response plans in the event of a raid. Some law school students and recent graduates  are feeling the impact of President Donald Trump's government-efficiency job cuts. Reporter Maura Johnson found that some students have had federal job offers rescinded. In Focus, Carson explores whether artificial intelligence is being embraced by estate planners.    

Clients are inundating Indiana attorneys with questions about how President Donald Trump's executive orders will impact businesses and nonprofits. Managing Editor Daniel Carson takes a look at which policies are causing the most uncertainty. In a companion piece in Focus, he also examines how lawyers are helping clients sort out the changes that Trump's environmental policies will bring. Also, reporter Alexa Shrake introduces you to Patrick Price, Gov. Mike Braun's newly-minted general counsel.

Sweeping new directives from President Donald Trump aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration have rattled some attorneys, reports Managing Editor Daniel Carson, even as state legislation piles up to support the president's efforts. Speaking of the Legislature, reporter Alexa Shrake explores an emerging proposal that could eliminate judges in some counties while adding them to faster-growing locales. And reporter Maura Johnson examines an effort to criminalize signal-jamming devices that can be used to neutralize home security systems.    

Now that Indiana has ended its pause on death-penalty executions, is it possible that more will be scheduled in 2025? There's certainly a chance as death row inmates exhaust their appeals, reports Managing Editor Daniel Carson. However, legislation proposed at the Indiana General Assembly would abolish the state's death penalty. Remember all that money Indiana was raking in from settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors? Reporter Maura Johnson takes a look at how Indiana and its local communities plan to spend the more than $980 million. And in Focus, Editor Greg Weaver takes a look at the 10 law firms and independent multi-client practices with the largest lobbying presence at the Indiana General Assembly.

From the sad drama of the Delphi double-murder trial to the return of death row executions to the fight over transgender rights, Indiana saw a lot of major legal news in 2024. See our list of the Top 10 stories of the year as voted on by the Indiana Lawyer staff and find out what story landed at No. 1. In Focus, you can also find a list of the most read stories on our website. Looking ahead, Managing Editor Daniel Carson examines a move by the U.S. Department of Labor to stop allowing nonprofits and businesses to pay disabled workers less than minimum wage. Also, reporter Maura Johnson looks at the four counties launching alternative dispute resolution programs in 2025.    

An unprecedented pace of accounting firm mergers in Indiana and across the nation are keeping some M&A attorneys very busy, reports Managing Editor Daniel Carson. And the trend is expected to continue in 2025. Coming in the fall of 2025 will be the launch of a new master of legal studies program for non-lawyers at the Indiana University Maurer School of Lawyer. Reporter Alexa Shrake has that story. And in Focus, Carson also reports how remote video calls are becoming mainstays for family law consultations, largely due to the convenience for clients.