Allen County commissioners vote to ban swingers clubs
Commissioners in northeastern Indiana’s Allen County have voted to implement rules that would prohibit swingers clubs and other businesses involving live sex acts.
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7th Circuit: Finish Line, resale company’s breach dispute rightly tossed
A shoe resale company couldn’t convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that its contract with Indianapolis-based Finish Line Inc. was breached, or that the language of the parties’ agreement was ambiguous and provided for an extension.
Land sale proceeds ordered released in long-running Bloomington dispute
The Monroe Circuit Court’s latest orders in a real estate dispute dating to 2002 were largely affirmed Friday, but the Indiana Court of Appeals ordered the trial court to release proceeds of a land sale that it had been retaining.
New trial ordered in suit over deadly propane explosion
An appellate panel has ordered a new trial in a negligence case arising after a propane tank explosion killed two people in Clinton County. The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled that admission of a verbatim hearsay opinion read into evidence by a defense expert witness was prejudicial to the deceased couple’s estate.
IBM awarded post-judgment interest to 2017 in long-running dispute
In its second opinion issued in the years-long dispute between Indiana and IBM Corp. over the failed contract to create a new Hoosier welfare system, the Indiana Supreme Court has allowed IBM to collect post-judgment interest on its $49.5 million damages award. However, that interest will date back only to a 2017 judgment on remand, not the original judgment entered in the company’s favor in 2012, and only serves as an offset to the greater sum IBM owes the state.
Supreme Court strikes down Tennessee liquor sale residency law
The Supreme Court of the United States on Wednesday struck down a Tennessee law that makes it hard for outsiders to break into the state’s liquor sales market. The ruling also could have implications for Indiana’s liquor distribution laws.
Internet of things in manufacturing creates new data, cybersecurity questions
These are the days of manufacturing 4.0, the name of the fourth industrial revolution marked by connectivity among the devices that keep a factory running. In an “internet of things” world, the industrial internet of things allows plant machinery and products to talk to each other and provide real-time data and updates on how the equipment is operating and how the products are functioning out in the market, creating new challenges for lawyers.
Supreme Court rejects early challenge to Trump steel tariffs
The U.S. Supreme Court is rejecting an early challenge to President Donald Trump’s authority to impose tariffs on imported steel based on national security concerns.
High court strikes down ‘scandalous’ part of trademark law
The Untied States Supreme Court has struck down a section of federal law that prevented officials from registering trademarks seen as scandalous or immoral, handing a victory Monday to California fashion brand FUCT.
$240K in damages upheld in Golden Corral food poisoning
An award of damages has been upheld for a woman who alleged negligence against a Golden Corral restaurant after she consumed undercooked chicken wings from its buffet that resulted in food poisoning and injuries requiring multiple surgeries.
First Merchants Bank settles federal lawsuit alleging redlining
Muncie-based First Merchants Bank has settled a federal lawsuit, following U.S. Department of Justice allegations that the bank engaged in lending discrimination by redlining predominantly African-American neighborhoods in Indianapolis.
Reversal: Delay unreasonable in invoking mortgage acceleration clause
The Indiana Court of Appeals has reversed a trial court’s order that foreclosed a couple’s interest in two mortgaged properties, finding a mortgage banking company was unreasonably delayed in invoking a promissory note’s acceleration clause.
Judge blocks Fort Wayne ‘pay to play’ ordinance
An Allen County judge has enjoined Fort Wayne from enforcing an ordinance designed to curb “pay-to-play” arrangements that allegedly led to city contracts for businesses that contribute to local candidates’ campaigns.
Judgment for IndyCar upheld in Panther Racing suit
The Indiana Court of Appeals on Thursday affirmed that a sponsorship agreement between IndyCar and a now-defunct racing team did not prevent IndyCar from providing another team access to space in the Fan Village at races on the circuit.
Justices: Trucking contract jurisdiction dispute may yield new rules
The Indiana Supreme Court affirmed the dismissal of a Hoosier trucking company’s amended complaint regarding a clause in a driver’s contract, although it found error with the dismissal’s basis on lack of personal jurisdiction. Justices also said this case will prompt consideration of rules so litigants can move to enforce contractual forum-selection clauses.
7th Circuit vacates ruling in light of new uniform-rental law
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has vacated in part a Southern District Court’s decision, asking it to reconsider whether an amended Indiana wage-deduction law could be retroactively applied to claims made against a former employer for withholding employee wages to rent work uniforms.
IDEM to hike permit fees for first time in decades
On May 5, Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a bill supported by the Indiana Chamber, the Indiana Manufacturers Association, and other business and environmental groups that will allow the state to raise pollution permit fees after an extensive rulemaking process that could last more than a year.
Steak n Shake in growing legal battle over overtime pay
Steak n Shake is on the hook for a $7.7 million judgment after a jury found the Indianapolis-based burger chain improperly failed to pay overtime to 286 restaurant managers in the St. Louis market.
JW Marriott’s second assessment appeal also premature, Tax Court rules
The Indiana Tax Court has again dismissed an appeal filed by downtown Indianapolis JW Marriott owner Convention Headquarters Hotels LLC regarding its real property assessment, after the judge similarly ruled the appeal as premature.
Judge sides with Congress in demands for Trump financial records
A federal judge ruled against President Donald Trump on Monday in a financial records dispute with Congress and said lawmakers should get the documents they have subpoenaed. Trump called it a “crazy” decision that his lawyers would appeal.