LaPorte Superior Court 2 Judge Richard Stalbrink Jr. is the next Hoosier trial court judge to be featured in the Indiana Lawyer spotlight series focused on the state’s judicial officers in more rural communities.
During the cold winter months, lawyers from across central Indiana return to the courts after the sun goes down. While there are plenty of motions, occasional oral arguments and even benches, the procedures during the meetings are far different from their day jobs. For around 13 weeks each year, dozens of attorneys trade in their suits and briefcases for jerseys and sneakers and take to the hardwood — a precedent set more than 40 years ago.
Separate analytical reports from the law firms of Carlton Fields and Seyfarth Shaw both found work-related issues are continuing to convince employees to take their bosses to court. As a result, class action defense spending is anticipated to keep accelerating after crossing the $3 billion threshold for the first time in 2021.
Since Russia initiated the largest conventional military attack in Europe since World War II on Feb. 24, Indiana’s law schools have condemned the attacks while educating students on the evolving situation from a legal perspective.
With nearly a month of devastation unfolding in the wake of Russia’s attack and invasion on Ukraine, Hoosier leaders and judges are calling to mind a time when Indiana’s bond to Ukraine was stronger than ever.
Normally, Jayna Cacioppo and Neal Brackett fit the image of picture-perfect attorneys — polished, pressed and professional. But recently they have added a splash of pink to their appearance.
Indiana is one of just six states that does not require counsel for children in child welfare cases in any situation, according to the National Association of Counsel for Children. Although Indiana Code § 31-32-4-2 does give state court judges the discretion to appoint counsel for children in child welfare cases, stakeholders say the Hoosier State could be forced to implement a direct representation program either through lawsuits filed by national children’s rights organization or federal legislation that Congress is considering.
A bill proposed in the 2022 Indiana legislative session would have required trial courts to try disputed issues of fact de novo in a judicial review of certain agency actions. Republican Rep. Chris Jeter, R-Fishers, said he authored House Bill 1063 in an attempt to even the playing field between decision-making agencies and Hoosiers, and in response to an Indiana Supreme Court decision.
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate last month came together in a bipartisan effort to push forward legislation that removes clauses in contracts that require arbitration of sexual assault and harassment claims. H.R. 4445, also known as the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021, essentially puts the ball in the court of individuals who allege sexual misconduct in the workplace or elsewhere, rather than their accused perpetrators.
A 10-hour time difference couldn’t stifle Monica Fennell’s excitement about being in a foreign country for a unique opportunity to do what she loves: talk about pro bono work. Indianapolis-based Fennell, who serves as pro bono director at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP and as an adjunct professor at Butler University, was recently chosen to receive a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award by the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, sending her to the Republic of Maldives.
Indiana Southern District Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt has joined a chorus of elation prompted by President Joe Biden’s recent announcement that he intends to make good on his promise to appoint the first Black woman to the Supreme Court of the United States when Justice Stephen Breyer leaves the bench.
Gregory Gotwald has been named the managing partner at Plews Shadley Racher & Braun. He is taking over when the world is lurching toward normalcy but times are still uncertain. Yet Gotwald said he is sure his firm will weather the changes just fine.
The Tindley Law and Public Policy Institute has the ambitious goal of launching in the fall of 2022. Marion County Juvenile Judge Geoffrey Gaither is clear that he wants the initiative to become the premier law program for charter schools.
Comprised of a team of attorneys and paralegals, Indiana Legal Services’ Immigrants’ and Language Rights Center provides help to immigrants who are either primarily seeking asylum or have been victims of a crime.
As of Dec. 13, 2021, Odyssey was implemented in all 92 Indiana counties following Randolph County’s switch.
Stepping into her role as a judicial officer in 2021, Jay Superior Judge Gail Dues already knew her small community was facing a huge legal problem.
CaseLines, a digital evidence portal from Thomson Reuters, is being piloted in four courts in Hamilton County presided over by Circuit Judge Paul Felix and Superior Judges Jonathan Brown, Michael Casati and William Hughes.
Many legal professionals see the enormous difficulty in running a successful law practice while being an effective legislator as the primary reason why more attorneys are not filling the seats in the Indiana House and Senate.
With Project Golden Spike, Dentons Bingham Greenebaum is outperforming the market in the growth of its lawyer headcount. The firm launched the Golden Spike initiative in January 2020.
He wasn’t angry — he was just scared. Surrounded by loved ones and law partners, the aging attorney finally confessed that he needed help.