Indiana Court decisions – Aug. 27-Sept. 9, 2020
Read Indiana appellate decisions from the most recent reporting period.
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Plugged 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.
ISBA 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.
Maley: 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.
IndyBar: 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!
IndyBar: 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.
IndyBar: 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.
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.
DTCI: 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.
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.
IndyBar: 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.
IndyBar 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.
DTCI 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.
Hammerle 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.
Justices to hear ordinance dispute involving barred IU frat house
Indiana Supreme Court justices will consider argument in an ordinance dispute between a southern Indiana property owner and the city of Bloomington over a former Indiana University fraternity house when it resumes virtual oral arguments this month.
Fall 2020 Indiana bar admission ceremony to be held virtually
For the second time this year, new Indiana attorneys will be taking their oaths via videoconference during the Fall 2020 Bar Admission Ceremony, the Indiana Supreme Court has announced.
Community service dropped against Logansport attorney convicted of battery
A northern Indiana lawyer who pleaded guilty to battering his wife has been relieved of a community service condition imposed on his probation.
State: Zoo owner illegally removes animals, incites violence in racist post
The feud between the state of Indiana and the owner of a rogue Charlestown zoo is heating up, with the state now seeking default judgment and the court ordering the owner to reveal the locations of animals illegally removed from the Charlestown property. The state says the zoo owner responded with social media posts inciting violence and using racist slurs.
COA affirms denial of biological mother’s motion to set aside adoption
Although an Indiana trial court erred in declining to dismiss a biological mother’s motion to overturn her child’s adoption, the court properly denied that motion, keeping the adoption in place. Thus, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed and upheld the Clinton County adoption on Tuesday.
Bipartisan Indianapolis prosecutors endorse Biden-Harris
A bipartisan group of current and former Marion County prosecutors are publicly backing the Biden-Harris 2020 presidential ticket, saying they “strongly disagree” with the notion of law and order touted by President Donald Trump.