Featured - The Indiana Lawyer

Web Exclusive: Lozano Bar supports Latino lawyers with personal, professional resources

February 17, 2021 | Olivia Covington

Shared experiences bring people together. That’s particularly true of the members of the Rudy Lozano Bar Association, a northwest Indiana group dedicated to serving Latino legal professionals. Formerly known as the Northwest Indiana Hispanic Bar Association, the group filed articles of incorporation under its new name in February 2020. Its namesake is the late federal Judge Rodolfo “Rudy” Lozano, who died in July 2018.

Interrupted coverage: In tangle over insurance terms, businesses’ and nonprofits’ COVID interruption claims being denied

February 17, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

Since the COVID-19 public health emergency began in March 2020, businesses and nonprofits nationwide have had business interruption claims denied. The COVID Coverage Litigation Tracker at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School reported 1,099 federal lawsuits seeking insurance coverage because of the pandemic had been filed as of Jan. 25. To date, courts have granted insurers’ motions to dismiss in 147 cases and insurers motions for summary judgment in seven lawsuits, according to CCLT. Policyholders have scored a few victories with the courts denying the motions to dismiss in 29 lawsuits and granting the plaintiffs’ motions for summary judgment in five cases.

Taft builds new lobby group with Ice Miller transplants

February 12, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

Taft Stettinius & Hollister is making a big push into public affairs and lobbying in both Indianapolis and Washington, D.C., and has nabbed seven attorneys and non-lawyer professionals — including several big names in Indiana politics — from rival Ice Miller to do it.

Lawmakers reject no-excuse absentee voting, other election amendments

February 5, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

At least 13 bills dealing with election and voting have been introduced into the 2021 session of the Indiana General Assembly, but only three have received a hearing and none are addressing calls by Democrats for expanded absentee voting and easier access to early voting.

Calling it a career: Lawyer ethics director Witte retiring

February 3, 2021 | Olivia Covington

After 39 years, G. Michael Witte, executive director of the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission, is calling it a career — sort of.

Taking a stand for lemonade

February 3, 2021 | Katie Stancombe

A bill in the 2021 Indiana General Assembly would make clear that lemonade stands are legal in the Hoosier state, thanks to two LaPorte boys who wanted to tackle an issue near to their hearts.

Indiana Black Legislative Caucus leaders optimistic about agenda

February 3, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus is offering a comprehensive and aggressive agenda for the 2021 session of the Indiana General Assembly. The bills promote police reform, institute changes to juvenile justice, and address inequities in the health care system, among other things.

Web Exclusive: Indianapolis lawyer kicks off IndyBar HQ’s member art installation

February 3, 2021 | Olivia Covington

Indianapolis attorney Ron Katz Katz’s creation honoring the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is the first installation in what the Indianapolis Bar Association hopes becomes a member-driven art exhibit at the new downtown IndyBar headquarters.

Indiana House approves COVID-19 liability protection bill

February 2, 2021 | Lindsey Erdody, Indianapolis Business Journal

The Indiana House has approved legislation that would protect businesses from COVID-19-related lawsuits. The measure slightly differs from a liability protection measure passed last week by the state Senate.

Former judge, ATC chair Cook named Indiana inspector general

January 26, 2021 | IL Staff

A former Marion County judge and the current chairman of the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission is moving to a new public service position next month, transitioning to the role of Indiana inspector general.

Family sues nursing home after father’s death during pandemic

January 20, 2021 | Katie Stancombe

Hoosier Ken Burgin is honoring his late father, Kenneth “Butch” Burgin, by advocating on his behalf after Butch’s unexpected death just two months after becoming a resident at an Owen County nursing home last year.

Motorists crossing Louisville bridges claim they were fraudulently billed

January 20, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

In a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, a group of drivers allege the vendors hired to operate the RiverLink toll system for the three bridges between Louisville, Kentucky, and southern Indiana fraudulently tacked on administrative fees and penalties.

Re-entry program gets unexpected but welcomed gift from new Barnes & Thornburg Foundation

January 20, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

PACE, a nonprofit that helps individuals who are being released from incarceration, is one of the first recipients of support from the Barnes & Thornburg Racial and Social Justice Foundation.

Web Exclusive: Lawyer hits 20-gallon milestone in blood donation

January 20, 2021 | Olivia Covington

Jim Lauck, senior counsel at Kroger Gardis & Regas, recently hit the milestone of donating 20 gallons of blood. Reaching the milestone was a 40-year process.

Indiana Statehouse closed leading up to Biden inauguration

January 18, 2021 | Associated Press and Mickey Shuey, Indianapolis Business Journal

The Indiana Statehouse complex will be closed to the public through Wednesday and state legislative meetings this week are canceled because of possible protests related to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. The closure comes as law enforcement and National Guard forces have fortified security in the nation’s capital and in state capitals around the country amid threats of violence.

Web Exclusive: Garcia first Hispanic judge named to Southern District bench

January 6, 2021 | Katie Stancombe

In a Q&A with Indiana Lawyer, new Southern District of Indiana Mario Garcia said he anticipates utilizing his background and diverse legal experiences to help people resolve their legal issues quickly and justly.

Veteran pro bono leader Fennell joins Taft

January 6, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

As a new year starts, Monica Fennell, longtime pro bono advocate and past executive director of the former Indiana Pro Bono Commission, is stepping into a new role as pro bono director for Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, where she will coordinate the volunteer legal work of the more than 600 attorneys in the firm’s 11 offices.

Lawyer in charge: IU McKinney grad Tim Cook is first non-CPA to lead Katz Sapper & Miller

January 6, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

Indianapolis native Tim Cook made history at the start of 2021, riding his law degree into the C-suite and becoming the new CEO and president of Katz, Sapper & Miller, Indianapolis’ largest certified public accounting firm. He stepped into the leadership position Jan. 1 and is the first non-CPA to lead the 78-year-old national firm.

Despite tech, court reporters say they’re here to stay

January 6, 2021 | Olivia Covington

Even as digital recording is grows, charged sentiment surrounds the use of artificial intelligence in court reporting, industry experts say. According to some, there’s a middle ground to be found: embracing technology to increase efficiency while also relying on humans for nuance.

CHINS filings stabilize after surge in recent years

January 6, 2021 | Katie Stancombe

Filings for child in need of services and termination of parental rights cases have swung in opposite directions in the past few years, according to statistics released recently by the Indiana Supreme Court.

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