Latest News - The Indiana Lawyer

Food and fun part of reunification celebration: 3rd annual event gives families sustenance, emotional boost

July 6, 2022 | Marilyn Odendahl

By midmorning on a sunny June 24, the tents were pitched around the parking lot located on the east side of Indianapolis, the folding tables were overloaded with food and household items, and dance music was thumping from the DJ’s sound system. The work was being done as part of the Reunification Month Community Event in Indianapolis, which celebrates the parents who have been able to overcome their struggles and regain custody of their children.

Ripple effect: Health care providers, attorneys predict impact of Dobbs on Hoosier women

July 6, 2022 | Marilyn Odendahl and Katie Stancombe

Indiana lawmakers plan to convene for a special session on July 25 to address abortion. Meanwhile, Hoosier health care providers and attorneys are scrambling to answer questions about where they fit into the mix and what it will mean to be compliant in a landscape without Roe v. Wade.

Senior Judge Sarah Evans Barker recognized for contributions to symphony of American life

July 5, 2022 | Marilyn Odendahl

Among the members of the legal community she is known as Judge Barker, and within the Southern Indiana District Court family she is affectionately called SEB, but Senior Judge Sarah Evans Barker will now become familiar to those outside the courtroom, as the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site has recognized her contributions to the state and the nation by naming its new citizenship plaza in her honor.

Three Indianapolis attorneys disciplined

July 5, 2022 | IL Staff

The Indiana Supreme Court has has suspended two attorneys from the practice of law in Indiana for noncooperation and a third Hoosier lawyer indefinitely.

Fort Wayne attorney loses sanctions appeal

July 5, 2022 | Jordan Morey

An Indiana attorney who didn’t show up for a rescheduled deposition because he was “fully booked” has failed to convince the Court of Appeals of Indiana that the sanctions imposed against him were improper.

COA rejects challenge to meth conviction, sentence

July 5, 2022 | Olivia Covington

A man found sitting on a container of meth has failed in his appeal of both his possession conviction and his eight-plus-year sentence.

Justices split on whether unruly defendants must be told they can return to court if they behave

July 5, 2022 | IL Staff

A split Indiana Supreme Court has denied transfer in a case involving an unruly defendant, disagreeing on whether trial courts are required to inform disruptive individuals who have been removed from the courtroom that they can reclaim their right to be present if they behave.

Katz Korin Cunningham becomes Stoll Keenon Ogden in merger

July 5, 2022 | IL Staff

Katz Korin Cunningham, a fixture in the Indianapolis legal market since 1994, has merged with Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC, a regional law firm based in Kentucky, effective July 1. The combined offices will operate under the Stoll Keenon name and have 45 attorneys in the Circle City.

Boone County plans $59.1M jail expansion

July 5, 2022 | Daniel Bradley, Indianapolis Business Journal

The Boone County Jail will undergo a $59.1 million expansion that officials say will help lead to an increased focus on rehabilitation and less on “warehousing” of inmates.

Jan. 6 panel: More turning up with evidence against Trump

July 5, 2022 | Associated Press

More witnesses are coming forward with new details on the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot following former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson’s devastating testimony last week against former President Donald Trump, says a member of a House committee investigating the insurrection.

Companies could face hurdles covering abortion travel costs

July 5, 2022 | Associated Press

After the U.S. Supreme Court revoked the federal right to an abortion that’s been in place for half a century, companies like Amazon, Disney, Apple and JP Morgan pledged to cover travel costs for employees who live in states where the procedure is now illegal so they can terminate pregnancies.

July 4 parade shooting in Illinois leaves 6 dead, 30 hurt; man detained

July 5, 2022 | Associated Press

A shooter fired on an Independence Day parade from a rooftop in suburban Chicago, spraying the crowd with gunshots initially mistaken for fireworks before hundreds of panicked revelers of all ages fled in terror. At least six people were killed and at least 30 wounded.

COA awards city of Carmel attorney fees in dispute over mayor’s emails

July 1, 2022 | Jordan Morey

A lengthy legal dispute over obtaining emails from Carmel’s mayor stemming from a local summer camp incident has led to the city winning attorney fees twice.

7th Circuit affirms denial of suppression of evidence from traffic stop

July 1, 2022 | Jordan Morey

An Indiana man arrested during a traffic stop for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance has not convinced the 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals the officer that pulled him over conducted an illegal search.

Indiana pays nearly $520,000 to law firm for governor’s suit

July 1, 2022 | Associated Press

The Indiana governor’s office racked up more than $500,000 in legal bills for its successful court fight against an attempt by state legislators to give themselves more power to intervene during public health emergencies.

SCOTUS returns challenged Indiana ‘parental notification’ law to 7th Circuit following Dobbs

July 1, 2022 | IL Staff

The U.S. Supreme Court has returned to the 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals a decision challenging an Indiana law that would require parents to be notified if a court approves an abortion for a minor child without parental consent.

Former St. Joseph Co. referee admonished for suspending parenting time based on unauthorized ex parte information

July 1, 2022 | IL Staff

A former St. Joseph County referee has avoided formal discipline after she temporarily suspended a father’s parenting time based on notes she received from a guardian ad litem that she later refused to share with the father and his counsel.

Former Twin Creeks resident ordered to pay more than $225,000 for creating hostile environment

July 1, 2022 | Marilyn Odendahl

The Southern Indiana District Court has ordered an Indianapolis homeowner to pay more than $225,000 in damages and attorney fees for allegedly harassing, taunting and threatening her African American and Latino neighbors.

Decision by SCOTUS might slow transition to cleaner energy

July 1, 2022 | Associated Press

The Supreme Court ruling limiting the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants could have far-reaching consequences for the energy sector—and make it harder for the Biden administration to meet its goal of having the U.S. power grid run on clean energy by 2035.

Supreme Court to hear case on state authority over elections

July 1, 2022 | Associated Press

The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear an appeal from North Carolina Republicans that could drastically limit state court authority over congressional redistricting, as well as elections for Congress and the presidency.

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