Articles

New law expands victim compensation program

House Enrolled Act 1292, authored by Rep. Sharon Negele, R-Attica, and signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb on March 11, aims to provide better relief to victims of violent crime. Starting July 1, HEA 1292 will modify the laws concerning compensation to victims of violent crimes in Indiana, expanding the list of eligible expenses for compensation and the definition of a claimant.

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Applegate: How elder caregivers can take a guilt-free summer vacation

Often, caregivers can feel guilty about getting away while they have so much responsibility at home or find it impossible to imagine getting a break. Lots of questions can arise, such as who will take care of the loved ones, how they can continue receiving help, what happens if an emergency arises and more. But with so much day-to-day responsibility as a caregiver, it’s important to have time to refresh and avoid burnout.

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Wilson: Plan for access of your digital assets with Legacy Contacts

Digital assets are an important part of estate planning. Planning includes ensuring that the appropriate people have access to the information at the right time. We have been made aware of these issues when dealing with cryptocurrencies, but what about all the subscription and social media services we all utilize now? It’s more important than ever to have a clear plan for accessing digital assets. This is one of those areas where technology clearly intersects with a specific area of the law.

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Talking honestly: New managing partner at Dentons’ Evansville office focused on well-being

Trisha Dudlo wants to have frank discussions. The 37-year-old is the new managing partner of Denton Bingham Greenebaum’s Evansville office and the first woman of color to hold that leadership position. Named the office chief in April, Dudlo is stepping into her role at the same time as she sees the legal profession rebuilding from the upheaval created by the pandemic and consequently having to do things “alarmingly different.”

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Camper: Choosing the right clients as a solo practice or small firm

How to choose the right clients as a solo practice or small firm? This is the million-dollar question. If every law firm owner could answer this question perfectly, every attorney would be a million-dollar partner at a law firm. Not choosing the right clients could be No. 1 at destroying your practice or firm. Surprisingly, the topic, “How to choose the right clients” is a discussion that is uncommon among lawyers.

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Profitable change: Solo, small firm attorneys see upsides to payment, firm administration changes during pandemic

Roughly half of all small firms reported in Thomson Reuters’ 2021 State of U.S. Small Law Firms study that they endured a moderate or significant struggle in getting paid by clients over the last two years. Many also expressed concerns about acquiring new business. But those firms that created a concentrated approach to addressing their payment challenges saw quick, positive results.

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Huettner: Quick tips for starting and growing a law practice

Owning a business can be richly rewarding. Law firm owners can define the scope of their practice, pick a target market, set their own hours and enjoy the creativity involved in implementing a corporate vision. With technological advancements and a move to web-based work and communication in recent years, starting a law firm has become increasingly accessible for attorneys seeking the unique benefits of small business ownership.

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Covington: An introvert’s conversations with Leadership in Law winners

While I had mentally prepared myself with things to say to this year’s Leadership in Law honorees to keep the conversations from lagging (because of me, not them) I was pleasantly surprised to find that the two days I spent chatting with this year’s winners as they recorded videos and had photos taken passed with surprising ease. Turns out, when you hang out with highly-accomplished individuals, you can find a lot to talk about naturally.

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Wilson: Unique challenges facing solo and small firm attorneys

One of the great aspects of practicing law is the wide variety of ways to make it happen. Whether you are in-house counsel, legal services, a big firm associate, prosecutor, public defender, government lawyer, judge or a solo practitioner, the ways we as lawyers ensure access to, and the delivery of, justice are myriad. Although there are many common elements to each form of practice, there are challenges and opportunities that are unique to each, and the solo or small firm lawyer holds a special place in this cohort of practice options.

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