Angie’s List to pay $2.8M in membership-fee settlement
Indianapolis-based Angie's List Inc. will pay $2.8 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that it automatically renewed members at a higher rate than they were led to believe.
Courts
Articles
Reversal of PACER decision restores access
The Administrative Office of the United States Courts is showing what technology has taken away, technology can restore. The federal judiciary is reversing an earlier decision to delete hundreds of thousands of older case files from the federal courts’ electronic system, PACER.
Child support and tax deduction rulings reversed
A Lake County father prevailed in appealing a trial court order regarding his child support obligations that deviated from those recommended under Indiana’s official guidelines.
On rehearing, panel clarifies ruling regarding Death Property Act
A promissory note between a mother and son did not transfer to the mother’s estate on her death, the Indiana Court of Appeals clarified in rehearing an estate dispute that reversed a trial court ruling.
Disciplinary Actions – 9/24/14
Read who’s received a public reprimand and who has been suspended by the Indiana Supreme Court.
DTCI: Deciphering the new Administrative Rule 9(G)
On Sept. 8, the Indiana Supreme Court issued an order amending the Administrative Rules, wherein it adopted most of the proposed changes and added some requirements to Rule 9(G). These amendments take effect Jan. 1, 2015.
Bell: 3 things to know about reporting pro bono hours
Ready or not, Rule 6.7 of the Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct will hit the books Jan. 1, 2015. This rule will require an attorney to report his or her pro bono hours at the time of annual registration.
Spotlight: North/Central Indiana
A round up of news from northern and central Indiana, including a mayor’s attempt to stay his contempt order.
Representation is imperative to due process for immigrants
The cases involving immigrant children coming to the U.S. from Central America are creating more need for pro bono legal representation and are highlighting an area of asylum law that the courts struggle to clearly define.
The traditional suit still rules when in court
The decision by one Indiana attorney to not wear socks in the courtroom has sparked a discussion among lawyers about professional dress codes. Shined shoes, closed-toe pumps, crisp shirts and blouses, pants, skirts and jackets are the closet staples of lawyers. While the business world has gone casual, pitching the tie and welcoming sandals in some cases, the legal profession has largely remained true to conservative business attire.
Line blurs on intoxication
Convictions for public intoxication don’t just require being pickled in public anymore. An inebriated person now has to do something else, but conduct elements added to the criminal statute in 2012 have blurred what constitutes a misdemeanor.
No dismissal of charges against county treasurer
A judge has rejected a central Indiana county treasurer's request for the dismissal of criminal charges that he mishandled public money.
Neighbors file suit to block 2,000-hog facility
A central Indiana farmer faces a lawsuit from neighbors who want to block plans for a facility where some 2,000 hogs would be raised.
Justices to review reversal of capped sentence after plea
The Indiana Supreme Court will review a case in which the Court of Appeals reversed a 10-year sentence, the most a man could receive under an agreement in which he pleaded guilty to multiple felonies.
Former MCBA treasurer suspended from practice 2 years
The former treasurer for the Marion County Bar Association has been suspended from the practice of law for a minimum of two years for taking more than $9,100 from the organization.
Purdue shooter sentenced to 65 years in prison
An Indiana man who admitted fatally stabbing and shooting a fellow Purdue University student inside a crowded classroom was sentenced Sept. 19 to the maximum 65 years in prison after telling a judge he lied about being mentally ill.
Sentencing set in deadly Purdue campus attack
The lawyer for an Indiana man who pleaded guilty to fatally stabbing and shooting a fellow Purdue University student is expected to try to convince a judge that his client is mentally ill.
Issues of material fact allow Environmental Legal Actions claim to proceed
The Indiana Court of Appeals is allowing a claim under Indiana’s Environmental Legal Actions statute to move forward, ruling there are many questions for the lower court to examine about the former landlord’s role in the contamination of the soil.
Judgment favoring policeman’s meth-exposure claim reversed
A police officer who claimed disability resulting from his work dismantling methamphetamine labs had a favorable trial court ruling reversed by the Indiana Court of Appeals Friday.
Ex-Conseco board member owes legal fees, may pursue malpractice claim
A pre-bankruptcy board member of Conseco Inc. was ordered to pay $127,592.21 in outstanding legal fees, but he may pursue legal malpractice claims, a federal judge ruled Thursday.