Report: Bosma has deal arranged by casino investor
The leader of the Indiana House is skipping votes on a major gambling-related bill after a casino owner helped arrange a local government contract with his law firm.
Ethics & Professional Responsibility
Articles
Report: Lawyers’ pro bono activity increases in Indiana
Pro bono activity is increasing among Indiana attorneys, with more than half of all non-exempt lawyers licensed in the state contributing time, money or both, according to a report released Friday by the Indiana Supreme Court.
House OKs limits on gambling officials’ access to governor
The Indiana House has responded to a newspaper’s report on private jet flights Gov. Eric Holcomb got from a casino magnate by inserting a provision into a sweeping gambling bill to limit gambling officials’ access to Indiana’s governor.
Ethics panel dismisses complaint against Speaker Bosma
The Indiana House Ethics Committee has dismissed a complaint against Speaker Brian Bosma, who was accused of illegally using campaign funds to collect unflattering information about a former intern.
Lawyer charged with defrauding elderly pleads guilty
A former South Bend lawyer who was charged with scamming elderly investors has pleaded guilty to some charges in the case.
AG Hill: Argument for ethics hearing panel ‘fatally flawed’
The briefing battle between Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill and the Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission has continued this week, with Hill arguing in new court filings that the commission’s attempts to convince the Supreme Court to proceed with the case consist of bootstrapping, red herrings and fatal flaws.
AG Hill’s attorney discipline case raises new questions
The disciplinary complaint against Hill raises new questions about the disciplinary process itself, including who can preside over the proceedings and what would happen if the state’s chief legal officer loses his law license, even temporarily. But those questions aside, ethics attorneys say Hill’s status as a prominent elected official shouldn’t have any bearing on the nuts and bolts of the discipline process.
Disciplinary Commission: AG Hill claiming he is above ethics rules
The Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission has accused Attorney General Curtis Hill of seeking special treatment in the disciplinary proceedings brought against him, arguing in court filings that Hill’s case must go before a hearing panel to protect the public interest.
COA: Med-mal dismissal affirmed for counsel’s untimely filings
A woman who partially blamed her attorney’s personal problems for her failure to timely file pleadings in her proposed medical malpractice complaints could not convince the Indiana Court of Appeals that her case should not be dismissed. Among other things, the appellate panel simply found she failed to spend her time wisely.
Fifty women say Salesforce helped traffickers exploit them
Fifty women who describe themselves as survivors of sex trafficking on the now-defunct Backpage.com web portal accuse Salesforce.com Inc. of profiting off each advertisement.
More states consider requiring legal malpractice insurance
As more states move toward requiring attorneys to carry malpractice insurance, opinions on the matter among Hoosier attorneys remain unchanged: Many Indiana lawyers believe purchasing professional liability insurance should not be required to practice law.
Hill, Disciplinary Commission spar over hearing officer appointment
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is hitting back at the lawyer ethics charges filed against him this week, arguing the judicial branch is wading into political waters by possibly disciplining him for allegations of groping four women — claims he says were “unrelated to the practice of law.”
Hill accusers ‘pleased’ Disciplinary Commission reviewing alleged sexual misconduct
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill is facing formal ethics charges from the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission, which filed a complaint against Hill on Tuesday over accusations of sexual misconduct made by four women. The attorney misconduct charges could impact Hill’s legal ability to continue serving as AG.
Justices’ ruling sparks conversation about PCR for noncitizens
Earlier this month, a 3-2 majority of the Indiana Supreme Court granted post-conviction relief to noncitizen Angelo Bobadilla, finding deficient counsel performance and prejudice. But dissenting justices raised concerns about the ruling inappropriately expanding the PCR analysis.
Lawyers help vulnerable man overcome exploitation
Looking down at a page filled with words he couldn’t comprehend, Paul Mason was urged to sign on the dotted line. He had no idea he was signing away life as he knew it.
Judge sanctions lawyer, ex-DOC nurse in inmate abuse case
After declaring her trust in the statements submitted by defendants in prisoner litigation cases “shattered,” a federal judge imposed sanctions — some as as severe as default judgment — on a former prison nurse and her attorney accused of misconduct as serious as perjury.
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.
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 […]