OCT. 18-31, 2017
Indiana Repertory Theatre hopes to get people talking with its production of "The Originalist," inspired by the late Justice Antonin Scalia. A new diversity effort at some law firms and legal organizations seeks leadership applicant pools containing at least 30 percent women and minorities. Indiana lawyers are involved in the pleadings in a Supreme Court suit over political gerrymandering in Wisconsin.
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Theater company stages ‘The Originalist’ to get people talking
As a Shakespearian actor, Henry Woronicz has a unique understanding of the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s originalist judicial philosophy. He connects with him through the meaning of texts — much as actors do when preparing for their roles.
Read MoreDiversifying the pipeline for law firm leadership
A new initiative known as the “Mansfield Rule” uses a data-driven approach to ensure participating firms actively consider women and minorities for open positions when making hiring decisions, including making selections for promotions, lateral hires and law firm governance positions.
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New case, same battle over partisan gerrymandering
The Wisconsin gerrymandering case now before the Supreme Court of the United States has all the intrigue of a first-class thriller — secrecy, sophisticated computer programs, outside consultants, and carefully drawn district lines to ensure a firm grip on power. It also has echoes of a similar Indiana case from 30 years ago.
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Merkel enlists as law firm leader after 30-year Army career
Steve Merkel, 53, is the new chief operating officer for Barnes & Thornburg. He is in charge of leading the administrative operations including human resources, finance, information technology, marketing and facilities management for the national law firm that has more than 600 legal professionals in 13 offices across the country.
Read MoreIndiana liability system ranks 15th in nation
Across the country, business executives, senior attorneys and general counsel consistently view Indiana’s legal climate as among the best for businesses out of all 50 states.
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Asbestos removal requires Anderson courthouse to close
Officials decided to close the Madison County Government Center for about seven months beginning at the end of November. Courts will take up temporary residency for several months about six miles away from downtown Anderson.
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Justices hear challenge to lethal injection formulation
Several Indiana Supreme Court justices appeared skeptical of a death row inmate’s challenge of the Department of Correction’s untried lethal injection drug cocktail formulation.
Read MoreIndiana Court decisions – Sept. 27–Oct. 10, 2017
Read Indiana appellate court opinions from the most recent reporting period.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Attorneys: Compassion critical in unexpected estate cases
Settling a deceased loved one’s affairs is never easy, but when the person is young or has not prepared a will or other estate planning documents, legal experts say the process becomes increasingly complicated.
Read MoreProbate bar proposes legislation to permit electronic signatures on wills
In an increasingly digital world, the legal ritual of a person signing a last will and testament before two witnesses who attest to the signer’s capacity may be evolving. Lawmakers next year will consider a proposal to allow electronic signatures on wills and other trust and estate documents.
Read MoreLaw restores will challenges as separate actions
An unintended change in law that temporarily required will challenges to be filed within the probate case was reversed under a bill that took effect July 1 and tweaked several provisions of Indiana’s Probate Code.
Read MoreAlerding and Bouaichi: Yet another call for estate tax repeal
After a number of years of relative certainty, there have been several recent developments worth noting that could impact federal estate and gift planning.
Read MoreBoldt: Stretching the benefits of your traditional IRA
For a client who holds the bulk of their net worth in an IRA, an Inheritance Trust can be an effective estate planning tool.
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Nelson: Planning for the future, transitions and saying goodbye
In this issue, we’re launching a new column from Don Hopper about law firm succession planning. And speaking of the future and succession planning, we’ve got a succession plan in place here at Indiana Lawyer.
Read MoreHopper: New columnist answers questions on succession planning
This is a first in series of articles on the issue of law practice succession planning.
Read MoreLyons: Immigration clinic work is where law, politics collide
Given today’s political climate, nowhere is the interplay between politics and law more salient than in immigration law. If you are an advocate for a refugee, or represent someone seeking citizenship or asylum, part of the work is understanding the political ramifications of what you are trying to do.
Read MoreTrimble: Is there a ‘ROI’ for young lawyers’ bar association involvement?
Despite the lack of monetary return on investment, young lawyers and their law firms gain huge returns on intangible benefits from bar association involvement.
Read MoreBour: Google records your voice texting — and much more
My impression is that Google has probably always been recording my voice text messages. They only recently added the notification about doing so because they probably got caught, so they included the notification to cover themselves.
Read MoreBuechler: Avoid the holiday food danger zone with these tips
This year, follow me, and together we’ll take a detour around the zone, waking up with a smile, shouting, “Woo hoo, me!” on Jan. 1, 2018.
Read MoreHammerle on… “Victoria and Abul,” “Blade Runner 2049”
Bob Hammerle says Judi Dench is a royal treat in “Victoria and Abdul,” but finds little to recommend in “Blade Runner 2049.”
Read MoreDisciplinary ActionsBack to Top
Disciplinary Actions – 10/18/17
Find out who's been suspended in the most recent attorney discipline actions.
Read MoreBar AssociationsBack to Top
IndyBar: A Look Back at 50 Years as a Lawyer
To get a better idea of what it means to spend 50 years devoted to the profession, some IndyBar honorees shared an inside glimpse at some of their best memories in the field.
Read MoreIndyBar: Nissa’s News
Last April, our Indiana Legislature enacted a new process for selecting judicial officers in Marion County. Here is a general overview of how the process will work.
Read MoreDTCI: The Misadventures of the Traveling Employee
When analyzing the issue whether an employee was within the scope of employment for purposes of a commercial general liability policy, courts generally apply the law of the applicable state regarding agency or vicarious liability.
Read MoreDTCI Award Recipients Named
In conjunction with its 2017 Annual Meeting in French Lick Nov. 16-17, the DTCI will recognize the outstanding defense lawyers of the year.
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