Appellate courts address estate tax, trust division regarding adoptions
As adoptions have become more common and more accepted for expanding the family tree, courts have had to address some legal matters clarifying those familial ties.
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Disagreements plague Camm case
Attorneys in the high-profile David Camm case in southern Indiana disagree about where to pull jurors from for a third murder
trial and whether the original prosecutor can continue on the case.
Appeals court hears back-pay arguments
Attorneys argued before the Indiana Court of Appeals on an appeal of a Marion Superior judge’s award of more than $42 million to a class of thousands of current and former state employees wanting to recover back pay for unequal wages earned between 1973 and 1993.
Indianapolis attorney chosen as magistrate judge
A partner at Indianapolis law firm Barnes & Thornburg has been chosen as the newest federal magistrate judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.
Adult guardianship programs continue to operate with little funding
Courts around Indiana have started their own guardianship programs based on the Lake County model program in Allen, Elkhart,
Lawrence, St. Joseph, Tippecanoe, and Vanderburgh counties.
Guardians program fulfills need
To help address the need for guardians for patients of a northwest Indiana hospital, Lake County Judge Diane Kavadias-Schneider – with others in the court and with permission from Indiana Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard – worked on a guardianship program that involved temporary volunteer guardians.
7th Circuit upholds Indiana’s judicial canons
At a time when the legal community is caught up in controversies about how judges are selected and whether they can remain
impartial, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has weighed in on that national debate and ruled that states have the authority
to self-regulate on those issues as it relates to judicial canons.
Indianapolis Bar Association forms PAC
The Indianapolis Bar Association may be the first statewide or nationally to create a plan aimed at combating judicial campaign-contribution
concerns on the heels of a landmark court ruling last year.
CJ signs order for increased judicial education requirements
Indiana judges and magistrates will have to take more judicial education classes to improve their legal skills next year.
8 submit proposals for Indiana appellate system
Eight companies are interested in outfitting the Indiana appellate courts with a case management system with public access
and e-filing capabilities.
Attorney waits for plea agreement decision
Anderson attorney Samuel Hasler is still waiting to see if his plea agreement regarding child pornography charges will be
accepted.
Judge sues prosecutor for intimidation, retribution
A Delaware County judge is claiming that county prosecutor Mark McKinney and a former deputy prosecutor threatened and intimidated
the judge and his wife based on the judge’s ruling on how McKinney handled civil drug forfeitures.
7th Circuit upholds Indiana judicial canons
A three-judge federal appellate panel says that Indiana’s judicial canons are not unconstitutionally restrictive of
free speech and should stand.
IBA creates PAC option for judicial campaign donors
After a landmark ruling from the nation’s highest court, the Indianapolis Bar Association has adopted an alternative
to direct judicial campaign contributions for those interested in donating to candidates vying for the Marion County bench.
IJA seminars address new jury instructions
The “Say What?! Seminars” are coming to locations throughout the state to help those in the legal profession learn about Indiana’s new, “plain English” civil jury instructions.
Judge Magnus-Stinson receives her robe
U.S. District Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson takes her official oath.
Court official named to national leadership roles
Lilia G. Judson, executive director of Indiana Supreme Court Division of State Court Administration, has two new leadership roles involving the National Center for State Courts.
Marion Superior courts, prosecutor’s office see assignment changes
Marion County has a new judge, and that’s created the latest round of musical chairs for the Superior Court and prosecutor’s
office.
Baker & Daniels hosts pro bono mediations
As a way to help judges and parties in paternity court in Marion County, an Indianapolis law firm recently offered conference
rooms and support staff for a day of pro bono mediation in its offices, something firm members say they hope other law firms
will consider if they have the available space.
Indiana tunes in to national issues in federal courts
What happens in Indiana regarding illegal immigration, same-sex marriage, and health-care reform may hinge on what happens
with litigation playing out in the nation’s appellate courts.