Indiana University Maurer School of Law

Law Student Outlook: Women still face challenges in the legal profession

February 19, 2020

While reflecting on our time writing this column, it became clear that we have not addressed an important aspect of our lives and future legal careers: We are women in the law. Obviously, the legal field has historically been dominated by men, and usually those who are well-off. In our time in law school we have seen a growing movement of greater diversity in the field, paving the way for different groups of people to make their mark in the profession and on the legal landscape.

Law schools, firms watch coronavirus outbreak

February 19, 2020 | Marilyn Odendahl

Law firms with offices and law schools with programs in China have been proactive in response to the deadly coronavirus outbreak. For example, Dentons has temporarily closed its office in Wuhan and Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP told Indiana Lawyer it has closed some offices in China. Law schools in the state have suspended all staff and faculty travel to China.

Indiana law schools not seeing much of a ‘Trump bump’

February 4, 2020 | Marilyn Odendahl

While the political climate is being credited with boosting applications to law schools nationally, Indiana’s legal institutions might be immune to the hubbub since they have posted fluctuations but no discernable upward trend in the number of individuals applying for enrollment.

IU Maurer cybersecurity programs keep pace with technology

January 22, 2020 | Marilyn Odendahl

In his practice at Mallor Grodner in Bloomington, attorney D. Michael Allen is seeing more and more cases that have a digital component. While he learned on the job, he also enrolled in the IU Maurer School of Law cybersecurity master’s program.

Allen Superior Court names Trevino next chief judge

December 31, 2019 | IL Staff

The Allen Superior Court’s Board of Judges has elected Judge Andrea R. Trevino to serve as the court’s next chief judge. Trevino’s two-year term begins Jan. 1, 2020.

Indiana law schools buck first-year enrollment dip

December 27, 2019 | IL Staff

First-year enrollment in J.D. programs in Indiana law schools rose 3.2% in 2019 over 2018 while the overall J.D. enrollment across the U.S. slipped 0.27%, according data released by the American Bar Association.

‘Generic’ trademark battle set for SCOTUS

December 11, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

Booking.com is facing a not-so-easy legal battle in a lengthy effort to make its name a protectable trademark.

Patent U.: Universities’ investment in patentable research reaps more revenue, litigation

December 11, 2019 | Marilyn Odendahl

As universities investment more resources in the development of patentable technology, they also run an increased risk of litigation.

Indiana legal scholars sign letter endorsing impeachment

December 10, 2019 | IL Staff

Six faculty members from Indiana universities — including four law school professors — are among the more than 775 academics who have submitted a letter to Congress, adding their voices in support of the impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.

Parrish: Students find clerkships in smaller counties rewarding

November 13, 2019 | Austen Parrish

This summer’s Rural Justice Initiativesought to expose students who are committed to public service to different facets of rural and smaller-city practice while helping trial court judges with their heavy workloads in counties where that help is needed most. The goal was to underscore to students the benefits of clerking after graduation, to help improve access to courts and expand legal services, and to inspire some students to consider pursuing careers in rural Indiana.

Good growth? Lawyer population grows, but supply may outpace demand

November 13, 2019 | Olivia Covington

According to the ABA’s National Lawyer Population Survey, the number of active lawyers nationwide grew by 14.5% in the last decade, up from 1,180,386 in 2009 to 1,352,027 in 2019. The number of Indiana lawyers likewise grew 10.2%, increasing from 14,379 to 15,845.

New lawyers get by with a little help from family, friends

October 30, 2019 | Marilyn Odendahl

The support of family and friends for students in law school is not only common for most law students, but also necessary. Law professors and counselors say students need a supportive network to rely on inside and outside of law school to help them master the material, tamp down any discouragement or despair and ultimately become successful attorneys with good mental health.

Law Student Outlook: Thoughts on mediation, negotiation and other forms of ADR

October 30, 2019

Despite our continued interest in litigation, we are here to report that we certainly like what we have found in and are open to future possibilities in alternative dispute resolution. We have also come to recognize that just because our interests lean toward litigation does not mean that we will not encounter and utilize skills such as negotiating that maybe are not seen as being traditionally within a litigator’s area of expertise.

New lawyers reminded of their responsibilities and duties

October 2, 2019 | Marilyn Odendahl

Indiana’s newest attorneys were congratulated on their admission to the bar and welcomed to the practice of law Wednesday with soaring rhetoric and practical advice from their colleagues in the bar and on the bench.

ISBA reaches out to law students, adopts programming focused on ‘living life as a lawyer’

September 18, 2019 | Dave Stafford

Recognizing a need to increase its engagement with younger attorneys, the Indiana State Bar Association last year launched two initiatives that the bar and participants say are showing promising results — a law school outreach effort and an emphasis on programming on a “living life as a lawyer” track.

IU Maurer launches nation’s first family office practice program

September 13, 2019 | IL Staff

Students interested in working for family offices or firms with family office service practices can now receive training through a newly launched Indiana University Maurer School of Law program. IU Maurer’s family office practice program will be the first in the nation to target the specific practice area, the school announced Thursday.

Law Student Outlook: Thoughts and expectations entering a final law school year

August 21, 2019

It might be hard to believe, but this month brings the start of our third and final year of law school at Indiana University Maurer School of Law. The readers of this column have loyally been with us since the spring semester of our 1L year, and we have grown so much through writing on a variety of topics that we explored and encountered during our time as students of the law. In this column, we will reflect on our time in law school and set goals for our year to come. We plan to make it the best one yet.

Law schools tweaking, innovating admissions process as numbers rise

August 21, 2019 | Marilyn Odendahl

Ever since the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law began accepting GRE scores in lieu of the LSAT in 2016, the list of law schools that consider applicants who submit only Graduate Record Exam results is growing. So are the other innovative ways law schools in Indiana and elsewhere are measuring the likely success of potential students.

Incoming classes strong at Indiana law schools

August 14, 2019 | Marilyn Odendahl

As classes begin for the 2018-2019 academic year, all Indiana law schools are marking historical milestones.

ICLEO fellows say they feel more prepared for first day of law school

August 6, 2019 | Katie Stancombe

Three weeks into the six-week long Indiana Conference for Legal Education Opportunity program, ICLEO fellow Jasmine Lovelace felt like she was already immersed in law school, especially with her 100-plus-page reading assignments. The soon-to-be Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law student was one of 23 applicants from across the state selected to participate in the 2019 ICLEO summer preparatory institute, hosted at Indiana University Maurer School of Law in Bloomington.

Articles