Disciplinary Actions
Read who has been reinstated, reprimanded and suspended during the most recent reporting period.
Attorney Discipline
Articles
AG Hill ordered to pay $19K in disciplinary costs
The Indiana Supreme Court has ordered Republican Attorney General Curtis Hill to pay more than $19,000 in expenses in a disciplinary case stemming from allegations he groped a state lawmaker and three other women during a party.
Justices permit remote attorney disciplinary proceedings
Indiana Supreme Court justices in a Wednesday order provided instructions to hearing officers and parties in attorney disciplinary proceedings that have not yet proceeded to final hearing, perhaps most significantly permitting remote proceedings due to the continuing pandemic.
Crown Point attorney suspended after battery plea for spitting on officer
Indiana Supreme Court justices have suspended a Crown Point attorney and ordered her to JLAP services after she was found driving recklessly and asleep behind the wheel before struggling with and spitting on an officer.
AG Hill asks Supreme Court to slash costs in discipline case
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is pushing back against a request that he foot the bill for nearly $57,000 in expenses related to his attorney discipline process, arguing instead that he should only have to pay about one-third of the amount requested by the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission.
Justices suspend attorney following multiple OWI arrests
A Huntington County lawyer who was arrested five times in a little more than a year on alcohol-related charges has been suspended from the practice of law for 180 days, with half of that time stayed.
Lawyer’s bid for reinstatement fails on 2-2 Supreme Court vote
A Fort Wayne attorney suspended more than two years ago over a scheme involving deceptive marketing practices failed in his bid for reinstatement as justices of the Indiana Supreme Court split 2-2 over his readmission to the practice of law. The fifth justice recused himself in the matter because he had served as the hearing officer in the attorney’s discipline case prior to his appointment to the high court.
Justices amend rules, disciplinary process for court interpreters
The Indiana Supreme Court has amended the rules governing court interpreters, with the changes set to take effect Jan. 1. The court approved the amendments to the Interpreter Code of Conduct & Procedure and the Disciplinary Process for Certified Court Interpreters & Candidates for Interpreter Certification.
Justices reprimand 2 Indianapolis attorneys
Two Indianapolis attorneys have been reprimanded by the Indiana Supreme Court after they reached agreements with the disciplinary commission in their attorney ethics cases.
Disciplinary commission discloses false statement in urging ex-prosecutor’s disbarment
A judge who recommended disbarment of the former Johnson County prosecutor for domestic violence has amended her report to the Indiana Supreme Court after being notified by a disciplinary commission attorney that he provided a false statement concerning key evidence.
Indiana attorney general may face bill over discipline case
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill could face a big bill from the disciplinary case stemming from allegations that he groped a state lawmaker and three other women during a party. The disciplinary commission has asked the Indiana Supreme Court to order Hill to pay more than $50,000 in costs related to the ethics investigation that resulted in his 30-day suspension.
Hearing officer recommends dismissal of Mackey discipline case
The attorney discipline case accusing high-profile Barnes & Thornburg partner Larry Mackey of an improper relationship with the ex-wife of a former Fishers money manager client who was convicted of securities fraud should be dismissed, the hearing officer in his case has recommended.
Disbarment recommended for ex-Johnson County prosecutor
The former three-term elected prosecutor of Johnson County should be disbarred from the practice of law for a domestic violence assault in which the hearing officer in his attorney discipline case said he “severely beat and injured his girlfriend” then misled the public about the events surrounding the attack.
Bell & Grass: 3 things to know about attorneys’ social media
Because our parents (who have trouble with remote controls) are now officially on Facebook, we can safely assume that close to all attorneys are using social media. Using social media is simply an inexpensive and convenient way to get the word out about your law firm. However, there is an element of risk that comes along with an attorney’s use of social media. These risks were highlighted in July, when the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission listed social media’s many “minefields.”
Louisville attorney suspended in Indiana
A Louisville attorney has been suspended from the practice of law in Indiana for noncooperation with a disciplinary investigation.
Ex-judge, assistant accused of estate fraud, will tampering face escalating claims
The stakes have been raised in a lawsuit against a former northern Indiana judge and an employee of his law office accused of swindling the estate of a deceased client whose will bequeathed more than $700,000 to local charities — money the charities say they never received.
Justices suspend mayor’s son following multiple alcohol arrests
A mayor’s son and lawyer who has been arrested five times for alcohol-related incidents has been suspended from the Indiana bar for at least one year.
Whitestown attorney suspended from practice of law for noncooperation
The Indiana Supreme Court has suspended a Whitestown lawyer from the practice of law for his noncooperation with the disciplinary commission.
AG Hill presses Holcomb to call special session focused on COVID-19
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is urging Gov. Eric Holcomb to call a special session of the Indiana General Assembly to focus on addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Hill joins legislative Democrats who have also called for a special session to address the pandemic and potentially other issues.
Will missing in estate fraud suit against disgraced lawyer, assistant
The original will at the center of a six-figure estate fraud case is missing, according to recent court filings in a civil lawsuit. Charities alleging the law firm that handled the estate absconded with the money also have subpoenaed the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission for records in the related ethics case that led to the recent resignation of attorney and one-time judge Robert Monfort.