New provisions shine light on patent process
One addition under the America Invents Act is the public has the opportunity to participate in pre- and post-grant reviews.
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High court ruling opens Medicaid escape hatch for states
While upholding President Barack Obama’s health care law, the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday also opened an escape hatch for states that do not want to take on the project of expanding their Medicaid programs.
Proposals would add visas for STEM workers
Highly skilled immigrants are the focus of 2 bills introduced in Congress.
Vacancies on federal bench will be topic of White House meetings Monday
Reba Boyd Wooden, executive director of the Center for Inquiry-Indiana, will travel to Washington Monday to meet with White House officials about the vacancy crisis in America’s federal courts.
ATM fee disclosure rules and related litigation
In 2011, nine lawsuits were filed in the United States District Court, Southern District of Indiana, in which plaintiffs sued owners or operators of ATMs for failing to post a sign advising users of usage fees. Similar suits have been filed around the country, and groups that represent ATM owners’ interests are calling for a change to federal law to stop further litigation.
Cameras in SCOTUS bill referred to full Senate
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation Thursday that will allow cameras in the Supreme Court of the United States. The measure, S.1945, was approved by an 11-7 vote.
2 high school students to attend program in Washington, D.C.
The Indiana Bar Foundation has announced the names of the two Indiana high school students chosen to attend the United States Senate Youth Program in March.
Federal Circuit hears judges’ pay case
A federal appellate court heard arguments Friday in a case that could ultimately decide if Congress has the authority to withhold judicial pay increases as it’s done in the past or whether cost-of-living adjustments are required.
Laws on immigrant tuition vary
States differ on interpretation of federal law, create state statutes addressing in-state status for college students.
Congress proposes cutting legal aid funding
If an agreement between the members of Congress passes, Legal Services Corp. will see its budget reduced by 14 percent. The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee had previously proposed cutting it by 17 percent.
Symposium marks anniversary of Nunn-Lugar Act
Indiana University will mark the 20th anniversary of the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program with a symposium Nov. 11 on its Bloomington campus.
Fight over judicial salaries raises separation of powers questions
Questions arise as to whether legislative or executive branch tinkering with judicial salaries interferes with the courts’ constitutional duties and infringes on judicial independence.
Federal anti-streaming bill has broad implications
Putting a video on YouTube and embedding that video onto another site could be all it takes to commit a felony under a statutory amendment before the U.S. Senate.
Federal budget cuts lead to uncertainty for state’s student civic programs
Chuck Dunlap, executive director of the Indiana Bar Foundation, says federal budget cuts mean the IBF’s Civic Education Program will have no federal funding as of September.
Lawmakers resume debate on issues impacting state courts
Both federal and state lawmakers seem to be letting the clock tick down to the final seconds.
Government shutdown would have little impact on federal legal system
Even if the U.S. Congress fails to pass a short-term budget measure and prevent a government shutdown before midnight Friday, the various arms of the Indiana federal legal community will remain operating mostly as usual – at least for the time being.
IU Indy to host environment, energy event
The forum, “National Energy Security: Challenges and Opportunities for the Midwest” at Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis March 25 brings together state leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts to discuss energy security. The event is open to the public and also offers CLE credit.
Cuts proposed to LSC budget would affect ILS
Among approximately 70 proposed budget cuts, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee has proposed cutting $75 million, or 17 percent of the budget for the Legal Services Corporation, which funds 136 civil legal aid programs around the country, the committee announced Wednesday.
Federal act preempts state law claims
The Indiana Court of Appeals held that the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Act preempts state law claims brought by a man’s first ex-wife seeking to keep her and her grandchildren as beneficiaries of the man’s life insurance policy.
Legal aid budgets remain steady
While the need for services for indigent Hoosiers during these tough economic times continues to increase, civil legal aid providers are reporting that budgets for 2011 will be similar to those of 2010, and the numbers of cases handled in 2010 are comparable to 2009.