JUNE 21-JULY 4, 2023
Recently retired Court of Appeals of Indiana Judge Margret Robb was known for being able to get the best out of everyone. She retired effective June 16 and is looking ahead to new challenges. Child welfare officials, judges and legislators walk a fine line between respecting parents' constitutional rights and protecting children. Some parents want closer scrutiny on states' child removal processes. A new Indiana law clears up a legal loophole for criminal offenses committed by juveniles who aren't charged for the crimes until they are adults. Advanced recycling is now defined as a manufacturing process in Indiana, something advocates and lawmakers hope will be a big economic boost for the industry. Read these stories and more in the June 21-July 4, 2023 issue of Indiana Lawyer.
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‘Epitome of a leader’: Colleagues, friends praise COA Judge Robb into retirement
Court of Appeals of Indiana Judge Margret Robb retired, effective June 16, and has been granted senior status. Robb may be best known as the first elected female chief judge of the Court of Appeals. She was appointed to that role in 2011.
Read MoreCity, feds teaming up: Indianapolis, US Southern District planning partnership on guns
A partnership between the city of Indianapolis and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana is still in its early stages but will ultimately be designed to address gun crimes throughout the Circle City.
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National Reunification Month: Families seek closer scrutiny of child removal process
No one ever wants to remove a child from their parents’ household.
When there are allegations of abuse or neglect in a home, child welfare officials, caseworkers and judges have to make tough, complicated decisions about what is ultimately best for the child.
Read MoreCourts see boost in salaries, tech funding: Civil legal aid also sees boost in funds for coming fiscal year
The state’s multibillion-dollar biennial budget enacted during the 2023 legislative session includes increases all around for the sate’s judiciary, including additional funding for including civil legal aid, salaries and court technology.
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Web Exclusive: Densborn Blachly celebrates decade of serving clients, looks ahead to next 10 years
Don Densborn and David Blachly had been working at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP when they made the leap with Jarod Brown — now the owner of Brown Capital Group — to open an office on the north side of Indianapolis. They opened their office in 2013.
Read MoreIndiana Court Decisions: June 1-14, 2023
Read the latest Indiana appellate court opinions from the most recent reporting period.
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Closing the gap?: New law clears up ‘black hole’ between adult, juvenile courts
A new law should erase a “jurisdictional gap” that has allowed people who commit offenses before their 18th birthday to essentially avoid legal consequences as long as charges weren’t filed until after they turned 21.
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A ‘manufacturing process’: SEA 472 paves way for growth of advanced recycling industry in Indiana
One of the new laws to emerge from the state’s 2023 legislative session could attract new advanced recycling companies to Indiana, something industry advocates and lawmakers hope results in less plastic going to landfills and more jobs coming into the state.
Read MoreIn budget year, lawmakers tackle controversial topics
In a budget year that brought in new legislators following last November’s elections, Indiana lawmakers tackled more than one controversial topic in 2023.
Read MoreChamberlain, McMath: Filing a tort claim against a governmental entity
It is crucial for practitioners and claimants to understand these legal principles and procedures to navigate the complexities of filing a tort claim against a governmental entity in Indiana
Read MoreJenkins, Moore: Indiana’s premortem validation statute takes effect
On July 1, Indiana will become one of only a handful of states that have a premortem validation procedure for Hoosiers’ last wills and testaments, as well as their revocable trusts.
Read MoreAkard: Impact of CHIPS legislation on Indiana
Semiconductors function as the brains of almost every modern technology we use. They play an indispensable role for our national security, and competitiveness and can be found in everything from cars and phones to the electric grid and rocket ships.
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Bravo: IU McKinney initiative supports rural justice
Programs such as IU McKinney’s Supporting Rural Justice Initiative seek to introduce more law students to the opportunities for fulfilling lives and careers experienced by those who practice in rural communities.
Read MoreTrimble: To be a better lawyer, think and practice like a solo
Small and solo law firm attorneys face many challenges, including competition, incorporating new technology, marketing and business development, professional development, overhead and cost control succession planning and retirement and work-life balance.
Read MoreCovington: Presenting Diversity in Law: What does diversity mean to you?
Indiana Lawyer is now taking steps to celebrate diversity in the legal profession with a new awards program in 2023, Diversity in Law.
Read MoreCurtis: Donning the cape: Indiana needs more prosecutors
Right now, there are several openings across the state for different areas of criminal law as deputy prosecutors.
Read MoreDreyer: The nine lives of Section 1983: 1871 to now
The unique tale of Section 1983 is an intriguing history of jurisprudence, social issues and federalism. The balance between central government power and individual rights has often been the rationale of applying Section 1983 or not.
Read MoreHammerle on… “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” and “The Greatest Beer Run Ever”
Indianapolis criminal defense attorney Robert Hammerle gives us his take on “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” and “The Greatest Beer Run Ever.”
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IndyBar: Practice Toolkit: Is AI for U?: Lawyers Should Keep an Eye on Artificial Intelligence
ChatGPT is all anyone can seem to talk about these days, from grandmas to grade schoolers. That is how you know when a technology has captured the popular zeitgeist.
Read MoreIndyBar: Indianapolis Bar Foundation Grants $35,000 To You Yes You!
The Indianapolis Bar Foundation, funded by donations from the local legal community, recently gifted a Community Empowerment Grant of $35,000 to You Yes You!, a Indianapolis-based organization.
Read MoreIndyBar: Artificial Intelligence: Colleague Or Competitor?
Recent artificial intelligence and, more specifically, ChatGPT articles seem to be indicating a need for law firms to prepare for another upcoming major pivot in the technology we use to draft legal documents and provide services.
Read MoreIndyBar: Looking to Connect with Diverse Future Lawyers? IndyBar to Host Diversity Events July 24-25
Dozens of diverse law students from across the country will soon travel to Indianapolis to meet leaders from Indianapolis-area law firms, agencies, courts and businesses at the 16th annual Indianapolis Bar Association Diversity Job Fair.
Read MoreIndyBar: Blainbridge Receives Paralegal of the Year Award
The Indianapolis Bar Association recently honored Sara C. Blainbridge of the Indiana Office of Judicial Administration with IndyBar’s 2023 Paralegal of the Year Award.
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