Sweeping new directives from President Donald Trump aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration have rattled some attorneys, reports Managing Editor Daniel Carson, even as state legislation piles up to support the president's efforts. Speaking of the Legislature, reporter Alexa Shrake explores an emerging proposal that could eliminate judges in some counties while adding them to faster-growing locales. And reporter Maura Johnson examines an effort to criminalize signal-jamming devices that can be used to neutralize home security systems.    

Now that Indiana has ended its pause on death-penalty executions, is it possible that more will be scheduled in 2025? There's certainly a chance as death row inmates exhaust their appeals, reports Managing Editor Daniel Carson. However, legislation proposed at the Indiana General Assembly would abolish the state's death penalty. Remember all that money Indiana was raking in from settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors? Reporter Maura Johnson takes a look at how Indiana and its local communities plan to spend the more than $980 million. And in Focus, Editor Greg Weaver takes a look at the 10 law firms and independent multi-client practices with the largest lobbying presence at the Indiana General Assembly.

From the sad drama of the Delphi double-murder trial to the return of death row executions to the fight over transgender rights, Indiana saw a lot of major legal news in 2024. See our list of the Top 10 stories of the year as voted on by the Indiana Lawyer staff and find out what story landed at No. 1. In Focus, you can also find a list of the most read stories on our website. Looking ahead, Managing Editor Daniel Carson examines a move by the U.S. Department of Labor to stop allowing nonprofits and businesses to pay disabled workers less than minimum wage. Also, reporter Maura Johnson looks at the four counties launching alternative dispute resolution programs in 2025.    

An unprecedented pace of accounting firm mergers in Indiana and across the nation are keeping some M&A attorneys very busy, reports Managing Editor Daniel Carson. And the trend is expected to continue in 2025. Coming in the fall of 2025 will be the launch of a new master of legal studies program for non-lawyers at the Indiana University Maurer School of Lawyer. Reporter Alexa Shrake has that story. And in Focus, Carson also reports how remote video calls are becoming mainstays for family law consultations, largely due to the convenience for clients.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is calling for changes in the state's lawyer disciplinary rules to protect himself and other attorneys from frivolous and politically-motivated disciplinary complaints, our Alexa Shrake reports. On the true crime front, writer Sam Stall has found a love story. That's what true-crime passion can do for you. And in Focus, Managing Editor Daniel Carson explores why no movement has been made to fill the federal judge vacancy in Indiana's Southern District.

Immigration attorneys are bracing for abrupt policy changes under the Trump administration, and Managing Editor Daniel Carson explores the potential impacts of mass deportations and the activation of National Guard units. Carson also takes a look ahead at the 2025 outlook for mergers and acquisitions. In Focus, reporters Alexa Shrake and Maura Johnson share insights from the incoming president of the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana and a look at what to expect from DTCI's annual conference.

At the high-profile Delphi double-murder trial, even cameras outside the courthouse can cause a stir. Reporter Maura Johnson takes a look at the tension between the media and the judge in the case. Managing Editor Daniel Carson examines the rising cost of outside counsel and how in-house staffs are battling the higher fees. In Focus, Carson delves into the roadblocks that could prevent the Biden Administration's Keep Families Together immigration policy from ever being implemented.

In advance of the Nov. 5 election, reporter Alexa Shrake takes a look at the spirited race for Indiana attorney general between Republican incumbent Todd Rokita and Democrat Destiny Wells. Read more about how the two differ on the role of the attorney general's office. With increasing attention focused on Indiana's attorney shortage, reporter Sam Stall shines a spotlight on a law school program that is exposing students to rural jobs and persuading them to hang out a shingle in small towns. Meanwhile, reporter Maura Johnson explores the Indiana Supreme Court's approval of a "regulatory sandbox" to allow for experimentation that could help ease the lawyer shortage. In Focus, Managing Editor Daniel Carson reveals what new law school students are looking for in their first jobs.

School librarians say more parents are challenging books on school shelves since a new law required schools to establish a process to field complaints. But outright book bans appear rare, Managing Editor Daniel Carson reports. Reporter Maura Johnson has a story on a new study that suggests sealing more eviction records. In Focus, Reporter Alexa Shrake examines why some local bar associations are being hurt financially by the shift from in-person to online continuing legal education classes. Read these stories and more in this week's issue of Indiana Lawyer.