Indiana attorney with failed Florida firm calls ethics complaint against her a ‘witch hunt’
By outward appearances, Divina K. Westerfield is an attorney practicing in Indianapolis. But looks can be deceiving.
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Seymour attorney with Alzheimer’s suspended for disability
A Seymour attorney who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and who is facing a felony fraud charge has been suspended from the practice of law in Indiana because of his mental disability.
Bench, bar rally behind prosecutor facing discipline
The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission brought a formal complaint against Johnson County Prosecutor Bradley Cooper for press comments attributed to him in reaction to a judge’s grant of post-conviction relief for convicted murderer Michael Overstreet. A parade of character witnesses traveled to a distant hearing to rally behind Cooper.
Commission calls for Floyd County prosecutor’s suspension
The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission has asked the state's high court to suspend Floyd County Prosecutor Keith Henderson over findings that he acted unethically in a triple-murder case.
Prosecutor faces discipline for press comments over ruling for killer
Johnson County Prosecutor Bradley Cooper faces possible professional sanctions for comments he made to the Indianapolis Star and the Associated Press after a judge ruled a man facing the death penalty wasn’t competent to be executed.
Seymour lawyer faces felony count, disciplinary case
A Seymour lawyer who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease faces a felony charge and a disciplinary complaint seeking his emergency suspension from the practice of law.
Prosecutor faces ethics sanction for book deal in Camm case
Floyd County Prosecutor Keith Henderson should be reprimanded by the Indiana Supreme Court for a book deal on a high-profile murder case against former Indiana State Trooper David Camm, recommends a hearing officer in Henderson’s discipline case. The hearing officer blasted the conduct of lawyers on both sides of the ethics matter.
Ties to Florida firm burn Indiana lawyers
Small-town lawyer Justin Wall argues in his discipline case that he’s fighting not just for his career, but for the livelihoods of his Huntington co-workers and the needs of his community after he tried to drum up business with a regretful decision to answer a Craigslist ad four years ago.
Judge frees man held 3 years after molesting acquittals
A Portage man held without bond for three years has been acquitted of four counts of child molesting and ordered immediately released from jail.
Ex-prosecutor Brizzi faces disciplinary complaint
The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission is recommending former Marion County Prosecutor Carl J. Brizzi III be punished for “a pattern of misconduct” that occurred during his time in office.
Supreme Court disbars South Bend lawyer
The Indiana Supreme Court issued a disbarment decision Wednesday finding Elton Johnson committed attorney misconduct in a number of ways. The per curiam decision lists incompetent representation, converting client funds and failing to cooperate with the disciplinary process as reasons for Johnson’s disbarment.
3 reappointed to Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission
The Indiana Supreme Court reappointed three members to its disciplinary commission Thursday. Nancy L. Cross, Andrielle M. Metzel and Trent A. McCain’s terms were scheduled to expire June 30, and will now serve another five-year term.
Rewriting discipline rules for Indiana attorneys
The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission would be limited to a one-year period of internal investigation of lawyers under a key change in an overhaul of rules governing attorney discipline.
Supreme Court seeks comment on proposed disciplinary rule changes
The Indiana Supreme Court has spent two years working on changes to Indiana Admission and Discipline Rule 23 and is now seeking comment on proposed changes by April 30.
2 found in contempt for practicing law
The Indiana Supreme Court has fined two attorneys after finding them in contempt for practicing law while one was suspended and after one had resigned from the bar nearly 10 years ago.
Law office whistleblower key in disbarment
The former office manager who blew the whistle on an Indianapolis lawyer disbarred recently by the Indiana Supreme Court said he paid a personal and professional price and endured threats from his ex-boss after reporting his egregiously unethical conduct.
Justices disbar lawyer for theft of $150K from clients, ‘brazenness’
An Indianapolis lawyer has been disbarred for stealing about $150,000 from his clients, “disclosing client confidences for purposes of both retaliation and amusement, threatening and intimidating his office staff (and) lying pervasively to all comers,” according to the Indiana Supreme Court.
Prosecutor testifies in disciplinary hearing over Camm book deal
An attorney who led the prosecution against a former Indiana State trooper acquitted of killing his wife and two children says a requested ethics investigation was a tactic to get him off the case.
Rare emergency suspension issued by Supreme Court
Merrillville attorney Robert E. Stochel spent a few nights in jail after a judge found him in contempt for his evasiveness, but so far he’s avoided criminal charges despite allegedly stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from clients and a former associate.
Disciplinary Actions – 12/17/14
Read who’s been publicly reprimanded or suspended by the Indiana Supreme Court.