High court amends Indiana rules
The Indiana Supreme Court has issued 14 orders amending various Indiana rules.
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15 apply to be next Tax Court judge
Fifteen people want to be Indiana’s next Tax Court judge. Judge Thomas G. Fisher announced in August his plans to retire Jan. 1, 2011.
Appellate court finds lawsuit brought in bad faith
The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled today for a fifth time on a contentious family dispute over the estate of deceased parents, affirming a small claims court judgment in favor of two of the siblings for damages and fees against their brother and his wife.
Governor chooses Judge Steven David as next Supreme Court justice
Boone Circuit Judge Steven David will become the next Indiana Supreme Court justice, meaning the state’s highest court will remain without a woman.
Indiana gets new federal magistrate
For the first time since the early 1980s, the Southern District of Indiana has gotten approval to hire a new full-time federal magistrate. The U.S. Judicial Conference, which is the policy-making arm of the federal court system, approved during its annual fall meeting on Tuesday the Indianapolis-based magistrate spot along with three others throughout the country.
Tippecanoe County judge recognized for access to justice work
Tippecanoe Superior Judge Gregory J. Donat is the 2010 recipient of the American Judicature Society’s Kathleen M. Sampson Access to Justice Award. Judge Donat has worked to improve access to justice for everyone.
Lawyer-legislator’s attacker on trial
The man accused of attacking a lawyer-legislator last year because of a 23-year-old legal dispute is on trial in Hamilton Superior Court, facing multiple felony charges and potentially 100 years or more in prison.
Supreme Court preps for lineup change
The Indiana Supreme Court will soon see its first lineup change in more than a decade, and as that turnover approaches, the state’s highest appellate court is mostly conducting business as usual.
Judges not required to report recusals, reasons for stepping aside
Judicial recusals are a serious topic, but Indiana law professor Charles Geyh can’t help but wonder how much lawyers and the public really know about requests and reasons for judges to step away from a case.
New approach to foreclosure prevention successful
Courts around the state have experienced more success with a new approach to settlement conferences utilizing facilitators – who interact directly with borrowers and lenders – than past attempts to find alternatives to foreclosures.
Candidacy issues in Allen, Lake counties
During an afternoon of heated debate about election law, a state commission kept a controversial incumbent judge on Allen County’s ballot despite arguments he should be disqualified while it essentially pulled another judicial candidate off the Lake County ballot in a challenge involving how the political process put him into the race.
National event in Indiana can help lawyers, judges, law students
Issues that affect every member of the legal community’s mental health and wellness, whether through a personal experience or that of a colleague, will be the focus of a conference in Indianapolis next month.
Court appoints new CLE commission members
The Indiana Supreme Court has appointed three new members to the Commission for Continuing Legal Education to replace those whose terms expire at the end of the year.
Masters named in traffic judge’s misconduct case
The Indiana Supreme Court has appointed the three masters in the case of Marion Superior Judge William Young.
Defendants in will contest must timely answer
In an issue of first impression, the Indiana Court of Appeals has held that a will contest is a civil action and a defendant in this type of action is required to file an answer or plead to a complaint as provided by the state’s trial rules.
Accused attorney attacker’s trial begins
The trial of the attorney who allegedly attacked a state representative last year began today in Hamilton County.
Justices rule on Journey’s Account Statute
The Indiana Supreme Court believes general negligence claims filed with the Indiana Department of Insurance can continue an action already filed in state court relating to medical malpractice issues.
Landlord not responsible for dog bite
The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment today for a landlord who was sued by a postal carrier who was bit by a tenant’s dog that had escaped from the property. The judges declined to find that by entering into a lease, a landlord establishes a relationship to a tenant’s dog.
Justices criticize attorney’s decision making on publication
State statutes about adoption and grandparent visitation may be important for Indiana trial courts when considering custody issues, but courts have long held that foundational due process rights still apply and can’t be sacrificed.
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.