Business Law - The Indiana Lawyer

Split 7th Circuit allows RV worker’s age discrimination claim to continue

June 20, 2022 | Marilyn Odendahl

A former Forest River employee will get a second chance to make his claim that the recreational vehicle maker constructively discharged him by refusing to address age-based harassment after a split 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals revived the case and sent it back to the Northern Indiana District Court. However, one judge dissented, asserting, “there was not enough ‘constructive’ in the plaintiff’s constructive discharge claim.”

Former Merrill Lynch broker Buck ordered to pay $7.5M in damages to former client

May 10, 2022 | Susan Orr, Indianapolis Business Journal and Indianapolis Business Journal Staff

Former powerhouse Merrill Lynch broker Thomas Buck, who was released from prison in January after serving time for securities fraud, has been ordered to pay $7.5 million in damages to a former client who says Buck mismanaged her investments.

John and Lovett: Federal Indian law in Indiana — land of the Indians

November 24, 2021 | Travis Lovett and Che’lee John

Appropriate for the Native American Heritage Month of November is a discussion about the presence of Native Americans in Indiana.

2008 Mississippi River spill: Jeffersonville barge company to pay $6.6M

October 7, 2021 | Associated Press

An Indiana-based barge company responsible for a Mississippi River oil spill that significantly damage shoreline habitat in south Louisiana in 2008 has agreed to pay $2.1 million in damages and buy and preserve a wildlife habitat just miles from downtown New Orleans.

Carmel-based firm uncovers three separate cases of employee fraud

August 10, 2021 | Susan Orr, Indianapolis Business Journal

Maria Caceres, a former employee of Carmel-based Seven Corners Inc., stands accused of defrauding the company by submitting false claims — the third employee to face such charges within two years in separate criminal cases that allege more than $3.5 million in fraud against the travel insurance company.

Former exec loses appeal to keep his stock in $20M filtration firm

May 26, 2021 | Olivia Covington

The case involved whether a co-founder of Anderson-based Hy-Pro Corp. owned stock in the business when it was sold in 2017.

Indianapolis-area employers reluctant to require employee vaccinations

May 10, 2021 | John Russell, Indianapolis Business Journal

Around central Indiana, employers are offering plenty of incentives to encourage their workers to get vaccinations as part of an effort to keep their office towers, stores, warehouses and factory floors safe for co-workers and visitors. But few, if any, are requiring workers to get vaccinated.

Egg dispute back in court over allegations of cracked contract

May 7, 2021 | Olivia Covington

A dispute between farming companies over egg production and chickens snatched from their coops will return to court to address two breach claims after the Indiana Court of Appeals partially reversed a dismissal.

Biden repeals Trump-era rule on gig workers

May 6, 2021 | Associated Press

The Biden administration nullified a Trump-era rule Wednesday that would have made it easier to classify workers as independent contractors, blocking a change supported by delivery and ride-hailing services.

Ponzi schemer Cochran escalates fight for early release on COVID grounds

May 6, 2021 | Greg Andrews, Indianapolis Business Journal

Jim Cochran, the former Indianapolis businessman serving a 25-year prison term for his role in the massive Fair Finance Ponzi scheme, is asking a Chicago appeals court for early release on the grounds that his health problems could make contracting COVID-19 lethal and that he has undergone a religious conversion that no longer makes him a risk to society.

Biden touts $28.6B restaurant relief program, orders tacos

May 5, 2021 | Associated Press

Setting foot in a restaurant for his first time as president, Joe Biden made a Cinco de Mayo taco and enchilada run to highlight his administration’s $28.6 billion program to help eateries that lost business because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Online provider FairShake helps consumers maneuver arbitration process

April 28, 2021 | Marilyn Odendahl

Teel Lidow, an attorney and entrepreneur, has entered the consumer arbitration space as the CEO and founder of FairShake. This online service helps individuals navigate the arbitration process when they find a billing error or have a complaint about faulty products and services.

Evansville attorney helps women engage in community through virtual nonprofit

April 28, 2021 | Katie Stancombe

Fulfilling a lifelong dream can be daunting, even unattainable. It can take years before someone takes steps toward fulfilling a goal set for themselves. But a young Evansville attorney is breaking walls and building new dreams daily, balancing both a legal practice and a female-focused not-for-profit organization.

7th Circuit rules for egg supplier in spoiled contract case

April 23, 2021 | Olivia Covington

Despite a buyer’s ruffled feathers, the 7^th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld judgment for an egg supplier in a contractual dispute. Further, the appellate panel remanded for the calculation of interest and fees resulting from the cracked relationship.

Justices overturn ruling to pay contractor after bank acquired business

April 23, 2021 | Dave Stafford

The Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday struck down lower court rulings in favor of an unpaid contractor that performed work for a South Bend business, finding that because the business’s assets are now owned by a bank rather than the prior company, the new bank-owned business is not liable for the bill.

Justices publicly reprimand Greenfield, Indianapolis lawyers

April 21, 2021 | IL Staff

The Indiana Supreme Court has handed down public reprimands against two Indianapolis-area attorneys, including an action against a partner at a major law firm.

Holcomb signs bill expanding aid to small businesses hurt by pandemic

April 20, 2021 | Associated Press

Additional relief from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will soon be on the way to Hoosier small businesses, as Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a bill Monday creating a grant program that extends and expands existing aid.

COA: No duty owed to couple struck by drunk driver in grocery store parking lot

April 19, 2021 | Katie Stancombe

A Sullivan County grocery store’s landlord had no duty to protect a couple from being struck by a drunk driver on its premises, the Indiana Court of Appeals concluded in a Monday decision.

Web Exclusive: NCAA, broadcaster in contract dispute over COVID cancelation of March Madness 2020

April 14, 2021 | Olivia Covington

After the fanfare of the 2021 NCAA March Madness Tournament, the Indianapolis-based college athletics organization is heading back to the court — this time, an actual courtroom in the Circle City — in a contract dispute over a radio broadcast contract canceled during the pandemic.

Evolving law addresses coverage after hack

April 14, 2021 | Olivia Covington

In what one justice described as an “emerging area of law,” the Indiana Supreme Court recently issued an opinion that insurance lawyers say provides, for the first time, concrete guidance in Indiana on how far computer fraud insurance can extend against hacks.

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