New magistrate takes the oath
U.S. Magistrate Denise K. LaRue was sworn in Sept. 8 as the Southern District of Indiana’s newest magistrate.
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Judge dismisses challenge to NCAA bylaws
Two former NCAA athletes whose scholarships were revoked following injuries have lost their suit that argued without certain NCAA Division I bylaws, they would have received multi-year athletic scholarships that would have covered the cost of their bachelor’s degrees.
Magistrate judge’s investiture ceremony Thursday
The formal swearing-in ceremony for Magistrate Judge Denise K. LaRue of the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, is at 2 p.m. Sept. 8 in Courtroom 202 of the Birch Bayh Federal Building and United States Courthouse in Indianapolis. The event is open to the public.
Retired U.S. magistrate judge dies
A Marion County attorney who later served as judge of the Circuit Court and as a United States Magistrate Judge died Sept. 1.
Circuit Court upholds settlement; $43 million in attorney fees
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a $180 million settlement and grant of $43.5 million in attorney fees in a dispute between retirement plan participants and their former employer. Some class members objected to the amount of attorney fees, but the 7th Circuit saw no reason to disturb the lower court’s decision.
Toxic dust exposure leads to litigation
Indianapolis attorney Gabe Hawkins has already attended the funerals of three former clients, and he hopes that he won’t have to see a fourth before finally being able to say that the courtroom battle they’ve been waging for years has paid off.
7th Circuit affirms judgment for officers in diabetic man’s case
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment in favor of the City of East Chicago and police officers on an estate’s excessive force and other claims, finding the officers had reasonable suspicion that a diabetic man who was having a hypoglycemic episode was possibly intoxicated.
Judge OKs settlement in voter-registration class action suit
A federal judge in Indianapolis on Thursday approved a settlement in a class action lawsuit brought against Indiana relating to state offices not adequately providing public assistance for voter registration.
Judge hears arguments on bar exam application suit
How far the Indiana Board of Law Examiners can go in asking potential lawyers about their mental-health history was the subject of a federal court hearing Wednesday, where attorneys explored the scope of the Americans with Disabilities Act and what might be reasonable in determining someone’s potential fitness to practice law.
Clerk of Court for Northern District retiring
The longtime clerk for the Northern District of Indiana is retiring at the end of the year, and those interested in filling that vacancy have nearly a month to apply for the federal court position.
Federal appeals court examines disputed telephone charges
Writing for a unanimous 7th Circuit Court of Appeals panel, U.S. Judge David Hamilton authored an opinion Tuesday full of what he calls “telephonese.” The opinion delves into a small business’s disputed phone bill charges and how those matters are governed by state and common law.
Appeals court: Federal judge should decide on state law claims
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has sent a case back to an Indianapolis judge, saying she didn’t properly weigh whether the case should be prolonged on remand to Hamilton Superior Court instead of her deciding on the issues that have already been fleshed out in federal court during the past year and a half.
Judge: Students’ off-campus Internet photos protected by First Amendment
A federal judge has ruled that a northern Indiana school district shouldn’t have disciplined two high school girls who posted racy online photos of themselves posing with phallic lollipops and simulating sexual acts because the pictures were outside of school and are protected by the First Amendment.
Volunteers needed for pilot program
The United States District Court, Southern District of Indiana is looking for law offices and firms to volunteer for an electronic civil case opening pilot program. Electronic civil case opening lets attorneys file new civil and miscellaneous cases via the Case Management/Electronic Case Filing (CM/ECF) system instead of in paper form at the clerk’s office.
South Bend attorney to investigate allegations of misconduct in Northern District
South Bend attorney Joseph D. Bradley has been appointed by Chief Judge Philip P. Simon to serve as special counsel to investigate allegations of attorney misconduct that are pending before the Attorney Grievance Committee for the Northern District of Indiana.
Bankruptcy court amends local rules
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana has adopted revisions to its local rules, which took effect Aug. 3.
Lawyer can argue for cost-of-living adjustment for increased fees
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has decided that an attorney that successfully represented a client in a Social Security disability benefits suit should be allowed to make a request for a cost-of-living adjustment that would exceed the maximum $125 per hour that can be awarded under the Equal Access to Justice Act.
Bankruptcy filings drop
The number of people filing for bankruptcy around the United States has decreased as compared to the same time last year, according to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.
South Bend attorney pleads guilty to fraud charges
A northern Indiana attorney accused of aiding and abetting mail and wire fraud has pleaded guilty to all 13 counts listed in an information filed Monday.
7th Circuit judge grants prisoner’s request for certificate of appealability
An Indiana prisoner’s request for a certificate of appealability has been granted by a 7th Circuit judge who found the man’s application set forth a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right.