Remove Judge Kimberly Brown, special masters recommend
Marion Superior Judge Kimberly Brown should be removed from the bench, a panel of three special masters has recommended to the Indiana Supreme Court.
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Indiana Lawyer 2013 Year in Review
From big judgments to busy law schools and attorneys in trouble, the Indiana legal community saw it all in 2013. We asked you what you thought were the biggest news stories last year. Here's a recap of what made headlines, with your Top 2 picks kicking off the list.
Can parents sue DCS? Yes, divided justices rule
A sharply divided Indiana Supreme Court decision that a family may sue the state’s child protection agency for negligence is sure to resonate within the Department of Child Services, attorneys familiar with the case said.
Untying the knot yourself
Couples forgoing legal counsel in divorce risk creating big messes the courts can’t clean up.
Criminal law committee passes pilot programs, studies
Four proposals approved during the final meeting of the Criminal Law and Sentencing Policy Study Committee appear headed for consideration during the 2014 session of the Indiana General Assembly.
Indiana’s courthouses receive renewed attention ahead of state bicentennial
Chris Flook has an eye for Indiana’s courthouses and courthouse squares. He’s photographed all 92.
AG finds no caselaw that answers same-sex amendment question
Nearly 13 minutes into a press conference touting the accomplishments of his office in 2013, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller got a question on a topic he may have been hoping to avoid – same-sex marriage.
In monster-truck bankruptcy, courts errantly denied ex-wife’s claim
Federal Bankruptcy and District courts wrongly denied a woman’s claim against the estate of her ex-husband and business partner who owed her money after they divorced and unwound a monster-truck business for which she had lent money.
COA affirms post-conviction relief for ineffective counsel
A man who was convicted of multiple felonies related to a two-day instance of domestic violence in which he “terrorized” his girlfriend in their apartment will be resentenced on a lesser charge on one conviction.
Appeals court affirms out-of-state placement of child with father
A mother whose son was placed with his father in California after the Department of Child Services found her children to be children in need of services failed to convince a panel of the Indiana Court of Appeals that the placement was erroneous or that the DCS didn’t make a reasonable effort to preserve the family.
Bill pledges greater gun immunity, protection for judges
Judicial officers would be granted the same ability to carry firearms and immunity as law enforcement officers under a bill introduced by the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Exclusive appeal notice filing with state clerk begins Jan. 1
Attorneys who don’t file a notice of appeal with the Office of the Clerk of the Indiana Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and Tax Court after Jan. 1 will forfeit their right to appeal.
Judge rejects Charlie White’s claim of ineffective counsel
Former Secretary of State Charlie White has been ordered to begin serving his sentence for violating Indiana’s election law after his petition for post-conviction relief was denied.
Humvee maker, defense giant BAE wrangle over $277M judgment
A dispute over the true cost of Humvee body armor rushed to the battlefield in the deadliest days of the Iraq war has resulted in a court battle that includes suggestions that one of the world’s top defense contractors may have serious business problems as it argues against posting full security for a $277 million judgment.
Angie’s List hit with shareholder suit
Angie’s List’s CEO William Oesterle and four other top executives made a series of false or misleading statements about the company’s prospects that inflated its stock price earlier this year as they sold $13 million of their own shares, a lawsuit seeking class-action status alleges.
Lauren Spierer civil suit moves forward
Two of three grounds for a civil lawsuit in the June 2011 disappearance of Indiana University student Lauren Spierer will move forward, a federal judge ruled Tuesday, partially denying a motion to dismiss filed by the two remaining defendants.
Memorial service to honor Vevay attorney
A memorial service for Ronald “Ron” Hocker will be held at 1 p.m. Jan. 10 in the Switzerland Circuit Court courtroom. All local attorneys and court staff are welcome to attend to pay their last respects to Hocker, who died Dec. 9 at the Indiana University Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis.
Judge rejects Notre Dame bid for injunction on contraception coverage
A federal judge denied the University of Notre Dame’s request for an injunction blocking the “contraception mandate” in the Affordable Care Act that requires employers to provide insurance coverage for birth control.
Coachys’ retirement opens up spot on Bankruptcy Court
The Judicial Council of the 7th Circuit is accepting applications for a bankruptcy judge position in the Southern District of Indiana. Chief Judge James K. Coachys is retiring in September 2014 at the end of his 14-year term.
Judges rule couple did not release medical providers from liability
A trial court appropriately denied the partial summary judgment motion filed by medical providers in a malpractice claim, the Indiana Court of Appeals held, because the plaintiffs did not release the medical group from liability by filing a proof of claim with the doctor’s insurer, which was insolvent and being liquidated.