Disciplinary Actions
Read who has been reinstated, resigned or suspended from the practice of law in the most recent reporting period.
Indiana Supreme Court
Articles
Judge orders return of seized Land Rover that led to SCOTUS civil forfeiture case
After seven years, two appearances before the Indiana Supreme Court and a trip to the United States Supreme Court, a Marion man fighting for the return of his seized vehicle has won his battle, with a trial court judge ordering the “immediate” return of his SUV. But a pending appeal means the case is not over yet.
Defendant in judges shooting case seeks jurists’ cellphone, JQC communications
The man charged with shooting two Indiana judges is seeking to bolster his self-defense claim by asking for four judges’ cellphone records and their communications with the Indiana Judicial Qualifications Commission related to the incident for which three judges were briefly suspended after the commission investigated and filed disciplinary charges against them.
Spring 2020 Indiana bar admission ceremony to be held online amid COVID-19
New lawyers prepared to take their oaths during the Spring 2020 Indiana Supreme Court Admission Ceremony will have to do so virtually, the high court announced Tuesday. The admission ceremony will not be held in a traditional brick-and-mortar location, but will instead be livestreamed at 10 a.m. May 5.
Cass County clamps down with big jump in virus cases
A northern Indiana county where a coronavirus outbreak prompted the closure of a Tyson Foods meatpacking plant imposed tighter restrictions Monday on who can enter retail businesses.
Justices extend trial court relief through May 17, require transition plans by May 15
The Indiana Supreme Court is extending through May 17 the previously approved emergency relief orders issued to trial courts due to COVID-19. Justices are also setting a May 15 deadline for courts to submit transition plans for expanded operations.
Case against Indy attorney to proceed after client wins reversal
An Indianapolis attorney being sued by a former client in a post-conviction relief case faced a reversal Monday after the Indiana Court of Appeals found that the client’s complaint alleging violations of certain canons of the Rules of Professional Conduct did not deprive the trial court of jurisdiction over the case.
Hearing officer: No discipline necessary for lawyer in Park Tudor sex scandal
Despite a finding that prominent Indianapolis employment attorney Michael Blickman violated an ethical rule in his handling of a student-teacher sex scandal at Park Tudor High School, the hearing officer in Blickman’s disciplinary case is not recommending any action against his law license.
Indiana courts may livestream proceedings during COVID-19 emergency
The Indiana Supreme Court has issued an order authorizing livestreaming of court proceedings during the coronavirus emergency. The order relaxes longstanding rules prohibiting the broadcasting of live court sessions to balance the public interest in judicial transparency while access to courts is restricted, justices said.
Groups hail Indiana restrictions on stimulus check seizures
Creditors cannot seize federal coronavirus relief payments from Indiana residents under a ruling from the Indiana Supreme Court that was applauded by groups that sought the proscription.
Indiana Supreme Court partially shields COVID-19 stimulus checks from debt collection
The Indiana Supreme Court issued an order Monday protecting some stimulus checks from being seized by creditors to pay past-due bills, but the decision drew a dissent from Justice Geoffrey Slaughter, who asserted the court was overstepping its role.
Justices grant transfer for reconsideration in second PCR petition case
Indiana Supreme Court justices have reversed for reconsideration a case involving a child molester’s petition for post-conviction relief after he asserted that his second PCR petition only raised issues that emerged after his habitual offender conviction was reversed and remanded for a new trial.
Supreme Court announces 4:30 deadline for responses to ILS stimulus check petition
Individuals or entities that intend to file a response to a petition brought by legal aid providers and nonprofits seeking to restrict civil collections of federal stimulus check proceeds must do so by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, the Indiana Supreme Court announced.
Hill accusers revive harassment suit with claims against Indiana Legislature
The federal litigation stemming from the sexual misconduct allegations against Attorney General Curtis Hill has been revived, this time with the plaintiffs suing the Indiana Legislature rather than the state. Hill’s accusers are also indicating that they plan to appeal the dismissal of several federal claims.
Indiana Court decisions – March 26-April 8, 2020
Read Indiana appellate court decisions from the most recent reporting period.
IndyBar: Indiana Supreme Court Waives Limitations on Distance Education Courses Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and public health emergency, the Indiana Supreme Court has issued an order amending the limitations on allowable distance education for attorneys and judges in Indiana.
Essential or non-essential? Lawyers scrambling to provide COVID-19 guidance
Though they don’t have all the answers, legal professionals are being looked to for guidance as clients navigate their new realities.
Bell and Grass: 3 things: The ethics of working from home
Moving your office into your home can pose unique ethical concerns you may not have considered. James Bell and Stephanie Grass discuss three things you need to know about the ethics of working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Legal education confronts the pandemic
The coronavirus emergency is forcing many changes to legal education in Indiana. Law schools and the judiciary are changing procedures, canceling events and finding alternatives as the prohibitions on large gatherings appear likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
Advocates warn stimulus checks could be garnished by creditors
While the federal government won’t seize stimulus checks being deposited into Americans’ bank accounts this week for owed debts, private debt collectors might, consumer advocates are warning.