Attorney general won’t recuse from overseeing Mueller probe
Attorney General William Barr will not recuse himself from overseeing the special counsel’s Russia probe after consulting with senior ethics officials, the Justice Department said Monday.
Ethics & Professional Responsibility
Articles
Longtime Warsaw attorney resigns amid misconduct allegations
A Warsaw attorney with nearly 50 years’ experience has resigned from the Indiana bar after facing an investigation by the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission.
Bosma: ‘Lady legislators’ harassment policy being finalized
Although Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma said he hopes to have the General Assembly’s sexual harassment policy finalized by the end of next week, he’s not sure if that’s possible.
Ruling for insurance producer in licensing case affirmed
A trial court order lifting a regulator’s nonrenewal of an insurance producer’s license stemming from his unauthorized use of funds from his homeowner’s association was affirmed by the Indiana Court of Appeals on Monday. The appellate panel agreed that the man’s actions in this case did not warrant such a severe sanction. Jeffrey A. Schumaker’s […]
Bad business: Disciplinary Commission warns of ‘license rentals’
The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission addressed such questionable relationships in an advisory opinion that cautions Hoosier attorneys against “license rental” partnerships with out-of-state law firms or non-lawyer service groups. Through these partnerships, Hoosier attorneys lend their services to the out-of-state firm or non-lawyer group in exchange for a fee paid for limited client representation in Indiana.
Critics say General Assembly harassment proposal sidesteps key concerns
A new proposed policy is being sent to the Indiana General Assembly House and Senate ethics committees for further review before it lands in both chambers for a full vote. Even so, questions linger over whether the recommendations will change behavior and protect potential victims.
Top legislators say no forcing out AG Hill
Top Republican legislative leaders don’t expect lawmakers will take any action toward removing state Attorney General Curtis Hill from office even though the governor and other state officials have called on him to resign over allegations that he drunkenly groped four women during a party.
Attorney convicted of cocaine charge suspended 3 years
A Marion attorney already under interim and administrative suspensions has been suspended from the practice of law for at least three years for professional misconduct, including her continual abuse of cocaine.
Reversal: Officer’s suit reinstated, bond requirement ambiguous
The Indiana Court of Appeals reversed a trial court’s grant of summary judgment to a Northeastern Indiana city when it found the lower court failed to fix a bond amount for a disciplined police officer by the time of judgment.
Florida-based attorney disbarred for 12 rule violations
A Florida-based attorney who was found to have violated a dozen of Indiana’s professional conduct rules has lost his Indiana law license, effective immediately. The Indiana Supreme Court found the lawyer’s dishonesty and neglect of cases had harmed clients and placed himself and others in legal peril.
Suspended attorney facing theft charges in Delaware, Franklin, Lawrence counties
A suspended Indiana lawyer accused of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from disabled and special needs clients was arrested and held without bond in the Johnson County Jail earlier this month after authorities in at least two counties issued warrants for his arrest.
Roberts asks federal judges to handle Kavanaugh complaints
Chief Justice John Roberts is referring ethics complaints against new U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh to federal judges in Colorado and neighboring states.
Disbarred attorney loses mail fraud conviction appeal
A disbarred Indiana attorney who was convicted of mail fraud and sentenced to two years in federal prison after stealing more than $330,000 from a grocery store receivership has lost his appeal of both his conviction and sentence.
Fertility doctor who used own sperm surrenders license
A retired Indianapolis fertility doctor who lied about using his own sperm to impregnate possibly dozens of women surrendered his medical license Thursday to a state board that also barred him from ever seeking its reinstatement.
Attorney who neglected med mal case suspended for year
An Indianapolis attorney currently under an indefinite suspension for failing to cooperate with a disciplinary investigation has now been suspended for one year after neglecting an elderly client’s medical malpractice case, leading to its dismissal.
Law schools introduce 1Ls to profession’s obligations, responsibilities
As another academic year begins at Indiana’s law schools, 1L students are brought on the campuses a few days before classes begin to learn the practical things they’ll need to know. But the schools also are offering early lessons on ethics and professionalism.
Prosecutors cite ethics rules to Hill in abortion lawsuit
Three Indiana prosecutors are renewing their calls for Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill to concede on their behalf the merits of lawsuit that blocked a 2018 abortion law and told the AG's staff in an email that Hill is obligated under the Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct to follow their directive as his clients. Hill, however, maintains he is authorized to defend the statute on behalf of his "ultimate client:" the people of Indiana.
Attorneys must be mindful of how they discard digital technology
Just as an attorney would shred outdated paper documents, contacts stored in a cellphone and files on a hard drive must be kept private when the old devices are discarded.
ISBA opens legal ethics essay contest
Indiana law students, recent graduates and new attorneys, and paralegals are invited to further the discourse on legal ethics by participating in the Indiana State Bar Association’s legal ethics essay contest. The deadline for entry is Aug. 3.
Disciplinary Actions — 7/11/2018
See who has been reinstated and supsended from the practice of law in the most recent reporting period.