Law firm mergers ‘white hot’ in 2017, hit record of 102
After a bit of a slowdown in 2016, the pace of mergers and acquisitions among U.S. law firms accelerated again in 2017 to a record 102, according to Altman Weil MergerLine.
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Profiles from 2017 followed lawyers’ personal, professional endeavors
Lawyers are an eclectic bunch who never seem to run out of stories to tell. Here is a look back at some of the memorable stories of Indiana attorneys and what they were up to — on and off the clock — from these pages in 2017.
Law firm outlook for 2018 focuses on strengths, retaining talent
Major Lindsey & Africa, a recruitment and consulting firm for the legal industry, has released its 2018 Industry Outlook report outlining what law firms can expect in the new year. In short, law firms will remain under increasing pressure to keep costs low and productivity high, so firms are expected to focus on core strengths and retaining key personnel.
Hershman to leave Senate for position with Barnes
Indiana Sen. Brandt Hershman has announced he is resigning his position as Senate majority floor leader to take a position with Barnes & Thornburg, LLP.
Indiana law schools post decline in enrollment
Although nationally the number of 1L students starting law school in the 2017 fall semester increased, the 2017 first-year class enrolled Indiana’s four law schools declined by nearly 100 students compared to the class that began in 2016.
Attorney in counterfeit scheme suspended for 3 years
A Bloomington attorney convicted of engaging in a counterfeit scheme to steal $10,000 from a client has been suspended from the practice of law for three years without automatic reinstatement.
Southern District’s Lawrence to take senior status in 2018
Judge William T. Lawrence for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, has announced his decision to take senior status July 1, 2018, creating another opening in the Southern District that already has one judicial vacancy and is still recovering from the loss of two colleagues.
Indianapolis real estate attorney Karl Haas dies at 57
Indianapolis commercial real estate attorney Karl Haas died last week at the age of 57, his colleagues announced Monday.
Report: Attorneys lose 6 hours daily to non-billable work
A recent analysis of how attorneys spend their workdays showed that only 2.3 hours are devoted to billable tasks. The rest of the time is spent on administrative or business development work, according to Clio’s 2017 Legal Trends Report.
Raines’ return to Bingham as COO like homecoming
When Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP announced Oct. 17 that C.W. Raines III had been named the firm’s new chief operating officer, his new role was something of a homecoming. Raines previously worked in the firm’s Indianapolis office as an associate from 2004 to 2006, where his practice focused on corporate services including mergers and acquisitions, startups, and lending transactions.
Departing Pence Hensel partners become highly prized lateral hires
The friendship attorneys Linda Pence and David Hensel started in 1990 continues, but the high-profile criminal-defense firm they began in 2010 has closed, sending the founding partners to growing firms in Indianapolis where they will each start practice groups for white-collar crime.
Lawyer sentenced to 2 years for wire fraud conviction
A disbarred Lake County lawyer convicted of wire fraud after he was accused of draining a receivership of more than $330,000 was sentenced to two years in federal prison Tuesday.
Dissolution of Pence Hensel spreads expertise to other firms
High-profile criminal defense attorneys Linda Pence and David Hensel have dissolved their Indianapolis firm, Pence Hensel LLC, and all three primary lawyers have moved their practices to other local law firms.
Pence Hensel dissolves, partners join other firms
The high-profile criminal defense firm of Pence Hensel LLC is closing after partners Linda Pence and David Hensel agreed to discontinue the Indianapolis practice, according to an announcement today from Pence.
Indiana Bar Foundation to honor servant-leaders in law and education
Fifteen Hoosiers will be honored during the Indiana Bar Foundation’s recognition dinner in December for their contributions to the legal profession, pro bono legal services, civic education, and the public through community service.
Wagner Reese looks to the future
During a grand opening Nov. 9 celebrating the new Wagner Reese headquarters building at 11939 N. Meridian St., Carmel, it wasn’t hard to see how far the law firm had come in a relatively short time.
ABA president launches initiative to study why women leave law
Women, particularly those in their 40s and 50s, leave the legal profession at a much higher rate than their male counterparts. ABA President Hilarie Bass has launched an initiative to explore the reasons and improve prospects for long-term careers for women in the law.
In legal gray area, social media use may impact work life
For employment attorneys, an ever-growing part of the job may include workplace investigations involving the use of social media by employees, on or off the clock.
ILAS hoping for season of giving
The Indianapolis Legal Aid Society is again starting its biggest fundraiser of the year with the annual holiday dollar campaign.
Indianapolis attorney resigns from bar in wake of disciplinary complaint
An Indianapolis attorney accused of misusing funds in her lawyer trust account can no longer practice law in Indiana after the Supreme Court accepted her resignation.