NOV. 25-DEC.8, 2020
While the pandemic continues to rage and pharmaceutical makers get closer to developing an effective vaccine, Americans’ willingness to get inoculated has slipped. Battles over the vaccination will probably spill into the workplace, and employers are already starting to consider policies and plans. In light of an increase of relapses and overdose numbers, the Indiana Department of Correction this month announced it would start offering naloxone, an agent used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, to every offender released from a DOC facility. And the Indiana General Assembly is considering taking another step to recognize that heritage through legislation that would uphold the validity of tribal court judgments.
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To mandate or not to mandate: Employers preparing for COVID-19 vaccine
While the pandemic continues to rage and pharmaceutical makers get closer to developing an effective vaccine, Americans’ willingness to get inoculated has slipped. Battles over the vaccination will probably spill into the workplace, and employers are already starting to consider policies and plans for ensuring their workers’ health along with making possible accommodations to those who object to getting the shots.
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DOC partnership provides Narcan kits to released inmates
In light of an increase of relapses and overdose numbers, the Indiana Department of Correction this month announced it would start offering naloxone, an agent used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, to every offender released from a DOC facility.
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Proposal would recognize Indian orders in state court
The history of Native American culture is rooted deep in the Hoosier State — after all, the name “Indiana” translates to “land of the Indians.” The Indiana General Assembly is considering taking another step to recognize that heritage through legislation that would uphold the validity of tribal court judgments.
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Book created by law firm duo teaches children the language of entrepreneurship
With a portfolio of clients who innovate and launch small businesses, Gutwein Law realized many of these entrepreneurs had cute little startups waiting for them at home. What happened next was elementary: a lawyer and marketing pro at the firm produced “The ABCs of Entrepreneurship: A Book for the Future Startup Founder.”
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Building civic-minded Hoosiers: Task force recommends expanding civic education statewide
The 2019 Indiana Civic Health Index called attention to the issue of community participation and recommended the appointment of a committee to examine civic education. As a result, the Indiana Bar Foundation Civic Education Task Force was formed. At a Nov. 18 press conference, officials presented a final report urging a series of recommendations to improve civic education in Indiana.
Read MoreCreating new options for future recovery: Allen County debuts OWI Court
As problem-solving courts continue to expand across Indiana, Allen County is introducing a new program into the state’s suite of specialty courts. Launched in August, the Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Court in northeastern Indiana is the first of its kind in the state.
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Notre Dame Law clinic designed to help innocent inmates
For the last few years, students at the Notre Dame Law School have been working in conjunction with a Chicago organization designed to seek justice for wrongfully convicted individuals. Now, the law school has graduated to a new level of independence in its wrongful-conviction work, opening the Exoneration Justice Project this semester.
Read MoreMarried moms ask SCOTUS to reject birth certificate case
The married lesbian couples who successfully challenged Indiana’s prohibition on listing both women as parents on their children’s birth certificates have filed their brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, telling the justices not to bother with this long-running dispute.
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Indiana Court Decisions – Nov. 5-17, 2020
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the most recent reporting period.
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IU Health’s Chambers becomes first in-house counsel to serve as DTCI president
Kori Chambers begins her year as president of the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana seeking a smooth transition during a challenging era. She plans to continue the proposition championed by outgoing DTCI President Donald Smith that defense lawyers get a good bargain through their affiliation with the organization.
Read MoreTolbert, McCrum, Raman honored with DTCI 2020 awards
Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana is honored to announce the 2020 outstanding defense lawyers of the year.
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McCabe: Biden will reverse Trump environmental policies
The Trump administration has used many tools to weaken environmental protection. For example, Trump issued an executive order in June 2020 to waive environmental review for infrastructure projects such as pipelines and highways. I expect the Biden administration will quickly signal to the nation that effectively applying the nation’s environmental laws matters to everyone – especially to communities that bear an unfair share of the public health burden of pollution.
Read MorePro Bono Matters: Immigration volunteers take on challenging opportunities
While many things have changed this year, the need for pro bono immigration lawyers has not. Indiana lawyers have a range of opportunities to get involved in immigration law.
Read MoreQuick: Now more than ever, watch out for stress
I usually write about law firm marketing in this space. This month I am going to change the topic just a bit. I want to talk about stress.
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Disciplinary Actions
Read who has been reinstated, reprimanded and suspended during the most recent reporting period.
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IndyBar Guest Column: What I’ve Learned from 2020 and What I Hope for in 2021
There were a lot of things I was going to do this year, places I was going to go (conferences in French Lick, AFCC in New Orleans, a girls’ trip to Hilton Head … gone but not forgotten, clearly) that just went completely off the rails. Instead, I learned some things, experienced some “personal growth” and so far, I’ve survived. I thought I’d share some things in case you were feeling alone, or want to feel superior, or are just looking for some product suggestions.
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IndyBar: Attorneys Deliver Peace of Mind During Free Wills Clinic
For years, IndyBar attorneys have helped community members living in poverty to safeguard their futures through the IndyBar’s Free Wills Clinics. This year, IndyBar volunteers (safely) set up at the Indiana Veterans Center to draft wills and advance directives for Indianapolis citizens at no cost.
Read MoreIndyBar: Professional and Technical Civility in Electronic Discovery — Five Tips on How to Avoid a “Discovery War”
Electronic discovery — like discovery generally — can bring out the best and the worst in lawyers, potentially turning any discovery dispute into a full-blown “discovery war.” But it doesn’t have to be this way! It’s possible to navigate the process in an amicable manner without losing sight of your client’s needs. Here are five suggestions for promoting professional and technical civility in the e-discovery process.
Read MoreIndyBar: Congratulations to the Graduates of the IndyBar Bar Leader Series Class XVII!
Congratulations to our most recent Bar Leader Series graduates! Class XVII celebrated the completion of their Bar Leader Series journey at a virtual graduation ceremony on Nov. 10.
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