Now that Indianapolis' pay-to-play system that divvied judgeships between Democrats and Republicans has been ruled unconstitutional, it's up to the General Assembly to figure out how Marion County should select it's judges. Proposals to increase the state-imposed $1.25 million cap on damages in medical malpractice cases have some unlikely supporters: Indiana hospitals. Recently, Barnes & Thornburg and the Indiana Bar Foundation honored Shirley Shideler during a special reception at the firm's Indianapolis office to pay homage to her legacy and to recognize other women blazing trails in the legal field.

Sharing candid, deeply personal experiences, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor inspired an overflow crowd Sept. 2 at the University of Notre Dame. She held court for nearly two hours, answering questions from Notre Dame almna, trustee and NBC News reporter Anne Thompson. As Indiana Tech Law School begins its third year, it is welcoming a very small class of first-year students and, anticipating its second attempt at gaining ABA approval will be successful, positioning its third-year students to take the bar exam. California attorney Kimberly Papillon will be presenting her program, The Neuroscience of Legal and Judicial Decision Making, at the Indiana State Bar Association's annual meeting.

James Dimos' new leadership gig with the American Bar Association eventually will take him away from his adopted Indianapolis home of more than 30 years, but in a way, he'll be returning home. A legislative interim study committee is considering a proposal that would allow DNA to be collected from those arrested, but not yet convicted, of a felony, but concerns about constitutionality exist.  Indiana lawyers and state and federal court judges will soon mark eight centuries since Britain's King John placed his seal on the Magna Carta, which guarentees, among other things, right to a trial by jury.

Although he's set to retire later this month, Friedlander will continue to serve as a senior judge, and Marion Superior Court Judge Robert Altice will be taking his place. The handful of Hoosier law firms that combined during the last two years highlight a pair of emerging trends of interest to those who watch law firm merger and acquisition activity. In June, 53-year-old David McAvoy not only marked his 25th year working at Eli Lilly, he also participated in a 155-mile race through the largest desert region in Asia: the Gobi Desert.

In a rural county ravaged by prescription pain pill addiction, the local sheriff has a vision for rehabilitation. A little-noticed bill signed into law May 5 provides new protections in the workplace for victims trying to untangle themselves from domestic violence situations. Judge John Tinder is retiring, but he expects to seek opportunities to assist parties with litigation consulting, compliance and arbitration.

At least two of Indiana’s five Supreme Court justices were openly skeptical of arguments that the state’s scheme for criminalizing synthetic drugs such as Spice and bath salts is unconstitutional, as the Court of Appeals ruled.  Female attorneys are taking leadership roles in traditionally male-oriented practice areas. Some companies are rethinking benefit policies in light of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage.

Lawyers will have to file electronically in all Indiana state courts by the end of 2018, according to a plan overseen by Supreme Court Justice Steven David and Court of Appeals Judge Paul Mathias. Hamilton County will get the ball rolling in a few weeks. Local efforts to limit Fourth of July festivities fizzle because of state law. While it's now common at criminal trials, St. Joseph County obtained its first conviction using DNA evidence in 1992.

Two trial court judges with a breadth of experience hearing criminal and civil matters and a public defender who’s tried hundreds of appeals are finalists to be the next Indiana Court of Appeals judge. Indiana Tech Law School plans on reapplying for provisional accreditation after the ABA denied its first application. Immunity laws are flourishing in Indiana.

Law firm websites have come a long way since the mid-1990s, when sites, such as Ice Miller LLP’s, featured mostly text and simple graphics. The Indiana Supreme Court has pulled the plug on an audio-video transcript pilot project. Longtime criminal defense attorney Robert Hammerle has joined Indianapolis firm Pence Hensel.

Indianapolis attorney and Marine Corps veteran Ed Smid has made it his mission to see that those who died in Afghanistan and Iraq are remembered and honored. In doing so, he’s also strengthened bonds among families of the fallen and provided valuable aid to survivors. Corporate clients are reshaping big law firms, seeking quality work but at cheaper prices. Blogs allow attorneys to market their services, find clients and express themselves.