Lugar leaves legacy of leadership and service
The Hoosier leader who became a statesman after transforming the city of Indianapolis is being remembered by the Indiana legal community for his intellect, integrity and kindness.
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Will, wile and wisdom: New book details Bayh’s Senate tenure
A longtime aide to late Indiana Sen. Birch Bayh has published a biography documenting the liberal lion’s leadership in some of the most momentous social changes in the nation’s recent history. The book debuted just as Hoosiers paid their final respects to Bayh at a Statehouse memorial service May 1.
Rosenstein: Russia probe justified, closing it wasn’t an option
Fresh out of his job as deputy attorney general, Rod Rosenstein said Monday that the Justice Department’s investigation into Russian election interference was “justified,” that he would have never allowed anyone to interfere with it and that closing it had not been an option. Rosenstein also took aim at former FBI Director James Comey, characterizing him as a “partisan pundit” busy selling books and earning speaking fees.
Misconduct case beginning against AG Hill
A former state Supreme Court justice is set to take up allegations that Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill committed professional misconduct by groping four women during a party. Former Justice Myra Selby on Monday scheduled a pre-hearing conference for May 22 on the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission’s complaint against Hill over the allegations he touched the backs or buttocks of a state lawmaker and three legislative staffers in March 2018.
Indiana Statehouse tribute begins services for ex-Sen. Lugar
Two days of memorial services for former Sen. Richard Lugar will begin with a tribute at the Indiana Statehouse. The senator’s casket will be brought into the Statehouse Rotunda for a midday Tuesday ceremony that will include remarks by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, followed by about eight hours of public viewing.
Morgan named Indy corporate counsel as Mallon moves to CIB
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett on Friday announced the appointment of Donald “Donnie” Morgan as the city’s corporation counsel, as the city’s former legal department leader departed to lead the city’s Capital Improvement Board.
Republican senator takes partisan fire over Trump Jr. subpoena
Republicans lashed out Thursday at fellow GOP Sen. Richard Burr for his committee’s subpoena of President Donald Trump’s son, a move that suggested the Russia investigation is not “case closed,” as some in the party insist. Trump said he was “very surprised” at the move.
Holcomb signs bill that loosens car dealership rules on document-prep fees
Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a bill this week that loosens the rules under which car dealerships can charge consumers document fees, a practice that a flurry of recent class-action lawsuits have alleged is unfair.
Barr contempt citation heats up House’s dispute with Trump
The House Judiciary Committee voted to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress, escalating the Democrats’ extraordinary legal battle with the Trump administration over access to special counsel Robert Mueller’s Trump-Russia report.
Holcomb signs bill to legalize sports betting, allow Terre Haute casino
Gov. Eric Holcomb signed gambling legislation into law Wednesday — the last day the bill was eligible for action — bringing significant changes to Indiana’s casino industry this year.
Trump invokes executive privilege over full Mueller report
The White House invoked executive privilege Wednesday, claiming the right to block lawmakers from the full report from special counsel Robert Mueller on his Trump-Russia probe and escalating the battle between President Donald Trump and Congress.
Debt collectors to use email, texts under new Trump rules
Debt collectors will be able to start contacting borrowers via text and email under new regulations proposed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Nadler: ‘Constitutional crisis’ over Mueller report dispute
The House Judiciary chairman said Wednesday the Trump administration’s refusal to provide special counsel Robert Mueller’s full Russia report to Congress presents a “constitutional crisis,” leaving the panel no choice but to move forward with a contempt vote against Attorney General William Barr.
AG Hill files suit against Equifax for 2017 data breach
The Office of the Indiana Attorney General is suing one of the world’s largest credit agencies after a 2017 cyberattack breached the personal information of millions of Hoosiers. The lawsuit against Equifax seeks civil penalties, consumer restitution, costs and injunctive relief following the massive data breach that compromised the personal information of nearly 148 million Americans and nearly 4 million Hoosiers.
What lawmakers did — and didn’t do — in the 2019 session
The 2019 legislative session ended April 24 — five days ahead of the statutory deadline — with hundreds of bills sent to Gov. Eric Holcomb for his consideration. Here’s a look at some of the top issues.
Refusal to hand over Trump’s tax returns sets up legal fight
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has made it official: The administration won’t be turning President Donald Trump’s tax returns over to the Democratic-controlled House. The move, which was expected, is sure to set in motion a legal battle over Trump’s tax returns.
Lugar funeral to be held May 15 at Indianapolis church
The funeral for former U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar will be held at 1 p.m. May 15 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. The six-term senator, who served as a lay elder at the north side Indianapolis church, died April 28 at age 87.
Tariffs, CFIUS and Brexit bring uncertainty to M&A transactions
Stricter regulations on foreign investments coupled with the imposition of tariffs on imported goods and the continuing drama surrounding the United Kingdom’s struggle to leave the European Union are creating new hurdles and headaches for attorneys helping client businesses through a merger or acquisition.
ABA sees ‘troubling gaps’ in civics knowledge in 2019 survey results
Members of the American public strongly support the First Amendment, but a recent American Bar Association civics literacy survey revealed that some confusion remains about what it actually protects. The results, which go hand-in-hand with the 2019 Law Day theme of “Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society,” revealed what the ABA called “troubling gaps” in the public’s basic knowledge of American civics.
Trump, GOP states ask appeals court to kill ‘Obamacare’
Taking a harder line on health care, the Trump administration on Wednesday joined a coalition of Republican-led states, including Indiana, in asking a federal appeals court to entirely overturn former President Barack Obama’s signature health care law — a decision that could leave millions uninsured.