SEPT. 16-29, 2020
After a career as one of Indiana’s most prolific appellate practitioners that began clerking for a Court of Appeals judge, Leanna Weissmann has come full circle with her appointment to the appellate bench. Judges who wish to advocate for social issues must walk a fine line to preserve their impartiality. And as new and returning law students enter the unknown during a pandemic, those in the Class of 2020 who ended their law school experience virtually excelled in a one-of-a-kind bar exam.
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Coming full circle: Weissmann joins COA after years of appellate practice
At 10 a.m. Monday, Leanna Weissmann transitioned from practitioner to judge. “What a star,” Chief Justice Loretta Rush said of Weissmann when her appointment was announced. “I will miss you standing before me arguing cases. … I always knew it would be a whale of an argument.”
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Tightrope act: Judges balance social issues, impartiality
Scenes from protests have dominated television screens for months. People of all ages, sizes, races, genders and backgrounds have participated in events calling for an end to racial inequality. But how do judges fit into the mix?
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Entering the unknown: New, returning law students grapple with pandemic-related changes
Bre Robinson’s final year of law school has been different in every way possible. Just a few weeks into a pandemic-stricken semester, the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Student Bar Association president said classmates are sparse. Robinson isn’t alone in that sentiment. As students nationwide make their way into a new school year, social distancing guidelines and uncertainty are following them.
Read MoreUnprecedented August 2020 bar exam yields passage rates from the past
The overall passage rate for the Indiana August 2020 bar exam reached 74%, about 10 percentage points higher than the overall pass rate for the previous four July bar exams. Likewise, 84% of those taking the test for the first time passed while 53% of the repeat takers were successful, the highest rate for repeaters since 54% passed the February 2015 bar.
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In push for poll workers, lawyers are coveted recruits
Anticipating a shortage of poll workers on Election Day, the Indiana Supreme Court has joined the recruitment effort. Lawyers who serve on Nov. 3 will be able to claim up to one hour of continuing legal education credit for going through the training and report the time worked as pro bono hours.
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Law change from ‘or’ to ‘and’ causes headaches for recorders
While politicians often decry bureaucracy and red tape, a bill passed by Indiana legislators in 2020 changed a single word in a state statute and, as a result, raised an extra hurdle for Hoosiers trying to get a document recorded at their local county recorder’s office.
Read MoreIndiana Court decisions – Aug. 27-Sept. 9, 2020
Read Indiana appellate decisions from the most recent reporting period.
Read MoreFocusBack to Top
Seeking unity: New ISBA President Michael Tolbert finds guidance for challenging times in service, family, faith
Michael Tolbert’s turn to lead the Indiana State Bar Association could not have come at a more challenging time. Having led multiple local bar groups, the Gary native takes the helm at the ISBA during a time of pandemic and persistent racial inequities that at times have put the law and lawyers on the defensive. Tolbert, though, is relentlessly optimistic.
Read MoreISBA offering in-person, virtual hybrid for annual meeting
The Indiana State Bar Assocation annual meeting will be a hybrid model allowing bar members to meet either virtually or in-person. Speakers will still offer CLE, sponsors will still share products and the House of Delegates will still meet. Perhaps most importantly, Hoosier lawyers will get the chance to reconnect after months of social distancing.
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Stafford: Holcomb’s calculation leads voters to risk health or liberty
Crises present tests of leadership, and Holcomb’s milquetoast excuses for not backing no-excuse mail-in voting during this time will haunt him and define him. This is easily his worst hour in a long political career.
Read MoreJLAP: Lawyers benefit from holistic wellness programs
Before the pandemic, large law firms and legal departments in Indiana were among 187 signatories around the country who pledged to encourage attorneys to focus on wellness and wellbeing as part of an American Bar Association initiative. Since March, some of the programs have added or adapted programming to virtual programs, including yoga and meditation.
Read MoreMaley: Rule amendments emphasize good faith in civil litigation
Each year any federal rule amendments that work their way through the Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure, the Supreme Court, and then Congress, take effect Dec. 1. This year several rule amendments are scheduled to take effect on that date, as outlined below.
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Jones: The curious case(s) of Carter Lake: Small town, big decisions
Few small cities or towns can claim to be the center or the impetus for a U.S. Supreme Court decision. However, Carter Lake, Iowa, with a population that has never eclipsed 4,000 people, can count no less than three.
Read MorePlugged In: When it comes to data breaches, security starts with you
Although many of us prefer to believe that we are protected and that our IT department, antivirus and malware tools are keeping us safe from all account hacking threats, it is vital that we understand our role in keeping our own accounts safe.
Read MoreHammerle on … “The Personal History of David Copperfield,” “Tenet” and “The New Mutants”
Movie reviewer Bob Hammerle submits his first movie reviews of the pandemic era that might be called the good, the bad and the puzzling.
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IndyBar Guest Column: Marion County Courts Push Forward as we Set Our Sights on the Future
As 2020 IndyBar President Andy Campbell is off in “trial prep nightmare-land,” he invited me to give an update on Marion Superior Court operations and the new Community Justice Center campus.
Read MoreIndyBar: The Unique Relationship between Lawyers and Judges
As lawyers, many of our relationships are governed by our rules of professional conduct. For the most part, these rules place burdens, limits and duties on us. The judge-lawyer relationship, however, is governed by interlocking rules from both sides.
Read MoreIndyBar Public Outreach Committee Fulfills Mission of the Indianapolis Bar Foundation During Pandemic
The focus of the Virtual Ask-a-Lawyer was to provide a place for people to get real help, direction and referrals, especially as the full impact of COVID-19 was shuttering businesses and causing waves of unemployment. To date, since May 2020, more than 100 attorneys have volunteered through the virtual desk and over the telephone to provide answers to more than 1,352 questions.
Read MoreIndyBar: September is IndyBar Member Appreciation Month!
It’s no secret that 2020 has been tough. While it’s our goal year round to make you, IndyBar members, more profitable and productive in your practice, we’re taking extra care during the month of September to show you how much we appreciate you!
Read MoreIndyBar: Nominations Now Accepted for IndyBar Professionalism Awards
The IndyBar Professionalism Committee is currently soliciting nominations for the 2020 IndyBar Professionalism Award (attorney) and IndyBar Silver Gavel Award (judge). We’ll also present the Unsung Hero Award, given to a lawyer who goes above and beyond the call of duty and exhibits the highest level of commitment to others without the expectation of praise or recognition.
Read MoreIndyBar: Nominations Now Open for IndyBar and IBF Board and Leadership Positions
Get on board with the local legal community: nominations are being accepted now for positions on the board of directors for both the Indianapolis Bar Association and the Indianapolis Bar Foundation! Nominations of colleagues as well as self-nominations are welcomed.
Read MoreDTCI: COVID-19 Immunity … But Not the Immunity You’re Thinking Of
Before the 2004 presidential election, very few people were discussing tort reform. However, George W. Bush made it a central aspect of his successful campaign for governor of Texas in 1995, and it remains part of the Republican Party platform. Tort reform in the manner of healthcare provider liability immunity has gained a new foothold due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MoreDTCI Annual Meeting — Virtual & Free
The DTCI Board of Directors voted to host the Annual Conference virtually this year at no charge to our members. Virtual section breakouts will be offered on different dates during the three weeks leading up to the main conference, which remains scheduled for November 19-20.
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