OCT. 8-21, 2014
Firms – especially those with multiple offices – say their practices benefit from retreats, team-building exercises and even regular face-to-face meetings of top partners. Millions more dollars are being sought to cover representation of juveniles, due in part to a new rule taking effect Jan. 1. An ISBA panel looks at how firms can maximize their paralegals' roles to get their money's worth.
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Millions more sought for representation of juveniles
The money is needed for guardians ad litem and court appointed special advocates, and to pay for the new rule requiring defenders in delinquency cases.
Read MoreOfficer’s meth-exposure claims untangled by appeals court
The Indiana Court of Appeals rules an injured city policeman must exhaust workers’ comp remedies before turning to the injured-on-duty statute.
Read MoreDeans ready to comply with revised legal education standards
The American Bar Association now requires more hands-on learning and student assessments throughout the course.
Read MoreSCOTUS denial of marriage lawsuits creates historic day
The decision by the Supreme Court of the United States not to hear any of the same-sex marriage cases before it was unexpected but very welcomed by the same-sex couples and their attorneys who challenged Indiana’s marriage ban.
Read MoreNDLS professor: Stop ISIS by choking funding
The battle against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is often discussed in terms of bombs and boots on the ground. However, an expert in terrorist financing at the Notre Dame Law School says destroying the Islamic State group, also referred to as ISIS, must include going after the money.
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Getting down to business
Whether they juggle being a lawyer with being an entrepreneur or they change careers and become full-time business owners, many say their legal training continues to help them. They have the ability not only to understand the legal aspects of operating a business but also to organize and manage the enterprise itself.
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Retreating from the office
Meetings and events outside of the firm foster camaraderie and build relationships among staff.
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Small firms rise to top of ISBA leadership
Jeff Hawkins is like most Indiana lawyers – he works in a small practice. Hawkins, incoming president of the Indiana State Bar Association, will be the first of three consecutive leaders hailing from solo or small law firms.
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Maximizing paralegal roles to get money’s worth
An Indiana State Bar Association panel examines ways firms can delegate work to paralegals to increase efficiency and profitability.
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Indiana Judges Association: Judges struggle with ‘rule of law’ questions daily
As judges, we struggle with “rule of law” questions every day. The gray areas between a fact and a supposition dog our paths. The tension between the letter of the law and the conscience of the community complicate our considerations. In some cases, the rule of law just seems to be unjust. But overall, the true meaning of “rule of law” should not be a barrier.
Read MoreMaking Rain: I’m pretty sure my clients love me
Most small to mid-sized companies use on average three to five law firms. Larger companies use even more. So, each and every day you are being compared to your competitors. Knowing how you compare to them in terms of your service and client satisfaction is good to know. You can get this information in a variety of ways and use it to bring in even more business from the client.
Read MoreSmith: What to do when the EPA sends an Information Request
Even the best companies occasionally attract the attention of regulators. Recently, the United States Environmental Protection Agency announced that it will be focusing on addressing noncompliance issues and vigorous enforcement. EPA commonly investigates compliance and potential enforcement with an “Information Request.”
Read MoreINBOX: Keep Marion County Small Claims out of Superior Court
A reader believes the rational solution to issues in Marion County Small Claims Courts is to keep the system as it is and not move it to Marion Superior Court.
Read MoreHammerle on … ‘The Skeleton Twins,’ ‘The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them’
Bob Hammerle says “The Skeleton Twins,” which stars two people know for their comedy work, derives its strength not from comedy but the emotional connection of disturbed twins.
Read MoreTechnology Untangled: Document scanning in the palm of your hand
Today we will look at an application that allows your smartphone to function as a surprisingly capable portable document scanner, capturing images of higher quality and much greater utility than a typical .JPG photo capture.
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JQC issues advisory opinion to judges with family members running for office
Judges who have a family member running for elected office may appear in campaign materials as long as the judge’s title or position isn’t mentioned, the Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications decided in an advisory opinion released Friday.
Read MoreIndiana Tech Law School hurries up and waits for ABA approval
Indiana’s newest law school has entered the long waiting period that comes with the accreditation process.
Read MoreTaft partner appointed to Bankruptcy Court
Jeffrey J. Graham, a partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP in Indianapolis, is the newest Bankruptcy judge in the Southern District of Indiana. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals announced his appointment Monday.
Read MoreJQC files charges against judge following OWI arrest in Kentucky
The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications filed one count against a southern Indiana town court judge who was arrested and pleaded guilty to operating while intoxicated in Louisville, Kentucky.
Read MoreIndiana AG proposes home contractor registry
Indiana residents looking to hire contractors for home repair or remodeling projects would be able to search a state registry that's among a package of legislative proposals Attorney General Greg Zoeller said Tuesday he's supporting in an effort to boost consumer protections.
Read MoreAppeals court affirms disbarred attorney’s convictions
The South Bend attorney who was disbarred in 2010 and convicted of forgery in 2013 lost his appeal before the Indiana Court of Appeals Thursday.
Read MoreJudge: Yorktown’s door-to-door soliciting restriction unconstitutional
Yorktown’s ordinance forbidding door-to-door canvassing before or after daylight hours is unconstitutional, a federal judge ruled.
Read MoreState’s way of paying public defenders debated
The state pays the salaries of its judges and prosecutors, but public defenders are paid by counties that are only partially reimbursed for their costs — an approach that some including the executive director of the Indiana Public Defender Council want to see changed.
Read MoreJudge tosses suit over IU student’s disappearance
A federal judge has thrown out the lawsuit filed by the parents of an Indiana University student last seen more than three years ago against two men who were with her the night she vanished.
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Indiana Court Decisions – Sept. 17-30, 2014
Read recent decisions from Indiana appellate courts.
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Disciplinary Actions – 10/8/14
Read who’s been recently disciplined by the Indiana Supreme Court.
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DTCI: Sign up now for the 21st Annual Conference and Meeting
Join us on Nov. 20 & 21 at the French Lick Resort for a jam-packed schedule.
Read MoreAbrams: Professionalism and Civility
This past week made two marks on my personal challenge to promote and encourage professionalism and civility.
Read MoreDTCI: North Central Region Trial Workshop Academy
View a photo from the recent North Central Region Trial Academy Workshop Academy.
Read MoreDTCI: Bad faith when there was no coverage?
An insurer denies a claim and the court agrees there is no coverage under the policy. Case closed. Or is it?
Read MoreIndyBar: Volunteers Needed for Family Law/Minor Guardianship Pro Bono Cases
Since early 2013, the IndyBar and local legal service providers have been teaming up to provide pro bono help in family law cases. More than 100 cases have been placed as a result of these efforts, and additional volunteers are needed to continue this successful partnership.
Read MoreIndyBar: ADR Section Hosts Successful Annual Mediation Day
On Friday, Sept. 26, the IndyBar Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Section hosted its annual Mediation Day, which was coordinated by ADR Section Chair Phyllis Armstrong of The Mediation Group.
Read MoreIndyBar: Getting Along Isn’t Wrong: Family Law Role Models
Eric Olson highlights three attorneys who have stood out over the years for getting along with opposing counsel.
Read MoreIndyBar: Indianapolis Bar Foundation Introduces Legacy Fund
The Indianapolis Bar Foundation (IBF) is pleased to announce the formation of its new Legacy Fund, a planned giving initiative that ensures that the mission of the Indianapolis Bar Foundation – to advance justice and lead positive change in Indianapolis through philanthropy, education and service – will continue to positively impact our community and our profession for generations to follow.
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