The number of women attorneys reached a historical level nationally last year, comprising more than 50% of all law associates. Managing Editor Daniel Carson has the details. Also, Reporter Maura Johnson takes a look at Indiana counties working to help Hoosiers clear their criminal records and reinstate their driver's licenses, using expungement laws.
Immigration attorneys in Indianapolis are sorting through President Joe Biden's sweeping restrictions on asylum to see what effect they may have on the crushing backlog of immigration cases from Indianapolis and elsewhere. Managing Editor Daniel Carson has the details. Also, Reporter Maura Johnson takes a closer look at the Marion County Prosecutor's Conviction Integrity Unit to see how many more cases are being re-examined after the unit's work helped exonerate an Indianapolis man convicted of murder. In Focus, Johnson examines a new law that requires Indiana's public colleges to make sure classroom instruction offers"intellectual diversity."
COVID relief has faded and consumers are stuggling with credit card debt and more, bankruptcy lawyers say. That's leading to an increase in bankruptcy filings in Indiana and across the nation, reports Managing Editor Daniel Carson. An increasing lawyer shortage has prompted the Indiana Supreme Court to appoint a new commission to find potential solutions. Reporter Maura Johnson reports that an expanded role for paralegals is among the options being considered. In Focus, reporter Alexa Shrake introduces readers to Jerry Garau, the new president of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association. Garau says his focus for the next year will be protecting access to the civil justice system.
Are the chances for legalizing marijuana in Indiana getting any higher? A softer federal stance on the drug certainly has Indiana legislators' tongues wagging. Managing Editor Daniel Carson explores whether that talk could turn into action. Carson also has another piece examining why no one has yet to be nominated by the Biden administration to succeed U.S. District Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson as she prepares to go on senior status. In Focus, reporter Alexa Shrake takes a look at the job prospects for new lawyers.
Some lawyers say they are being bombarded with client questions about how new federal rules limiting the presence of so-called "forever" chemicals will affect their businesses. Managing Editor Daniel Carson explores how public water systems, manufacturers and farmers will be impacted by the new limits. In southwestern Indiana, Bicknell Mayor Thomas Estabrook is learning how to balance his municipal duties with his academic work as a law-school student. Reporter Alexa Shrake shares the mayor's story. In Focus, Carson explores how small and solo law firms are meeting the need for increased cybersecurity, especially since the pandemic.
The Indiana Supreme Court and the Indiana Court of Appeals are dominated by Republican appointees, but the political polarization that has rocked high courts in some states is largely absent here. Reporter Alexa Shrake examines how the composition of Indiana's state courts emanates from a merit selection process that tends to recommend centrist judicial candidates to the governor. In Indianapolis, new development envisioned around the Community Justice Campus has been slow to materialize, but Managing Editor Daniel Carson reports that a new restaurant may be on its way. And in Focus, Carson examines how the federal Corporate Transparency Act will affect some businesses, but many others will be exempt.
Nearly a year ago, Indiana's trial court judges were given the discretion to decide whether to allow cameras in their courtrooms. Reporter Maura Johnson explores how court officials and journalists feel things have gone so far and whether the judge in the closely-watched double murder case in Delphi will allow cameras for the trial. Elsewhere, IBJ's Susan Orr weighs in with a story on how a new Delaware law could help company officers in Indiana and across the country could shield them from personal financial liability in lawsuits that allege they have breached their fiduciary duties. In Focus, Managing Editor Daniel Carson looks at how artificial intelligence could be used in mediation and arbitration.
Reporter Alexa Shrake takes a look at the race for the Democratic nomination for Indiana attorney general between Indianapolis lawyers Destiny Wells and Beth White, as the party looks for a way to unseat Republican incumbent Todd Rokita. Sticking with state politics, Managing Editor Daniel Carson explores the lawsuit protections bestowed upon Indiana businesses by the Legislature. In Focus, Carson also explains new federal guidance on when AI-assisted inventions can be considered for a patent. And look for interim Editor Greg Weaver's column on changes coming to Indiana Lawyer.
Pending legislation would undo Indiana's ban on letting juries know whether crash victims in personal-injury lawsuits were wearing seat belts, at least when it comes to determining damages. Indiana Lawyer Managing Editor Daniel Carson has the details. Also learn from reporter Alexa Shrake how leaders are trying to address the lawyer shortage in rural Indiana. And in Focus, Daniel brings you the latest on pending rules that would allow 3.6 million more salaried workers to qualify for overtime.
A student group at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law is getting national recognition, and Indiana Lawyer reporter Alexa Shrake tells us why. Meanwhile at the Statehouse, advocates for marijuana reform say they're disappointed that legalization legislation didn't advance in the 2024 session, but they're vowing not to give up; IL managing editor Daniel Carson brings us the details. And in the Estate Planning Focus, Daniel tells us why fewer Americans are drawing up wills. Read those stories and more in the Feb. 28-March 12, 2024, issue of Indiana Lawyer.