NOV. 5-19, 2014

Interpreters understand the need for offering services remotely, but want all interpreters to be certified. Attorneys say Indiana's expungement law still has issues that the General Assembly needs to fix. Law firms struggle to create apps that have value and meet a specific need for users.

Defendant argues jury erred by disregarding experts

November 4, 2014 | Marilyn Odendahl

A Steuben County man convicted of attempted murder by a jury of his peers is asking the Indiana Supreme Court to take the rare step of reversing the verdict on the grounds the jury ignored evidence that he was delusional on the day he committed the crime.

Group challenges Marion County Criminal Justice Complex bed plan

November 4, 2014 | Kathleen McLaughlin

A grassroots, church-based organization is trying to stir up voter interest in Marion County’s plan for a new criminal justice complex and questioning the need to expand jail capacity.

Serving those who served

November 4, 2014 | Dave Stafford

More veterans courts are popping up around the state, with a focus on individual treatment and establishing mentorships.

Attorney: reasoned discourse needed in Internet age

November 4, 2014 | Marilyn Odendahl

Wabash College grad David Kendall returns to alma mater as the keynote speaker at the school’s Public Discourse Summit.

Second chance law needs a second look

November 4, 2014 | Marilyn Odendahl

Attorneys say Indiana’s expungement law still has issues that the Legislature needs to fix.

Technology helps aid non-English-speaking litigants but has limits

November 4, 2014 | Dave Stafford

Remote connections for interpreting services are becoming more common in courts and legal proceedings. Speakers of Arabic, Mandarin, Punjabi and countless other languages and dialects are entitled to understand proceedings and communicate, but there isn’t always a qualified interpreter who can show up in person.

Law firms struggle to create apps that meet a specific need

November 4, 2014 |

The challenge for law firms is to create an app that brings value. The apps must fill a need that the user has and go beyond putting the firm's legal blog into the app.

Dean’s Desk: Partnerships prep students for Indiana legal careers

November 4, 2014 | Austen Parrish

A growing economy needs all kinds of professional support – including leaders who have been trained in law and know how to problem-solve. That’s why we have developed several new programs at the IU Maurer School of Law designed to attract the best and brightest students to our school, introduce them to the growing global economy – and, we hope, keep them in the Hoosier State.

Finney: Top 5 Word tips every legal professional should know

November 4, 2014 | Deanna Marquez

Regardless of practice area, Microsoft Word is an application that most of us spend significant time utilizing. Unfortunately, it is often amidst looming deadlines, preventing us from having time to truly explore features that could ultimately make us more efficient.

A View from Gitmo: An update on USS Cole case and other proceedings

November 4, 2014 |

Indiana Court of Appeals Judge Patricia Riley offers an update on proceedings happening at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Sidebars: Detour from courthouse for impressive pizza and soda combo

November 4, 2014 | Fred Vaiana

Rare is the restaurant that impresses with every dish. I mean every aspect of every dish, including, believe it or not, the fountain soda drinks. At least on one glorious September evening with my family, Coalition Pizza was that restaurant.

Hammerle On … ‘Fury,’ ‘Pride’

November 4, 2014 | Robert Hammerle

Bob Hammerle says “Pride” can’t be missed. Be prepared to both laugh and cry.

Indiana Legal Services still planning to hire new executive director by year’s end

October 27, 2014 | Marilyn Odendahl

Still set on hiring a new executive director by the end of the year, Indiana Legal Services Inc. has narrowed it search to six candidates.

Legislative committee recommends making annexations more difficult

October 23, 2014 | Marilyn Odendahl

The legislative committee examining Indiana’s annexation laws underscored how complex and difficult the issue is when committee members looked at the laws Wednesday. The members took a third of the time allotted for the meeting to decide that a remonstrance should succeed if a simple majority of property owners oppose a municipality’s effort to incorporate their land.

Bankruptcy cases filed at lowest number since 2007

October 29, 2014 | Jennifer Nelson

The total number of bankruptcy cases filed in federal courts for the fiscal year 2014 dropped 13 percent as compared with FY 2013, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts announced Wednesday. This is the lowest number of bankruptcy filings for any 12-month period since 2007.

AG’s office: Same-sex marriage fight cost state about $7,000

October 24, 2014 | Dave Stafford

Responding to requests from Indiana Democrats, the Office of Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller on Friday afternoon released records arguing the state’s defense of statutes banning same-sex marriage cost the state about $7,000.

Acquitted ex-Ind. trooper sues police, prosecutors

October 27, 2014 | Associated Press

A former Indiana State Police trooper acquitted in the slayings of his wife and two children has sued prosecutors, investigators and others for false imprisonment and other counts.

Indiana Court Decisions – Oct. 15-28, 2014

November 4, 2014 |

Read recent appellate decisions.

Disciplinary Actions – 11/5/14

November 4, 2014 | IL Staff

Read who has received a public reprimand, been suspended or resigned from the bar.

DTCI: 15 years of court interpretation on presumption and products liability

November 4, 2014 | From DTCI

In the 15 years since the presumption became a part of the IPLA, it has been invoked in a number of actions involving the design, manufacture, labeling and packaging of numerous products. This article explores Indiana court decisions that have transformed the breadth and impact of the presumption both in its application and the requirements necessary to overcome it.

DTCI: Take time to invest in yourself

November 4, 2014 | From DTCI

Where I work, it is the usual practice of the partnership to send attorneys with my level of experience (five to six years) to a seminar in order to prepare us for the eventual responsibility of trying a case on our own.

Abrams: Marion County Judicial Elections—Where Do We Go From Here?

November 4, 2014 | Jeffrey A. Abrams

The IndyBar has looked at this issue for quite some time dating back to the early 1990s in an effort to establish a process where we could continue to have the same quality of judges currently on the bench while protecting the financial integrity of those attorneys who run for judge and creating an independent bench that can withstand scrutiny from the public.