Hill Fulwider dissolves, yielding two new firms
The Hill Fulwider law firm in Indianapolis has dissolved just shy of its 37th year. Its nine former attorneys reorganized into two new firms or joined existing ones.
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Messaglia named managing partner at Krieg DeVault
Michael Messaglia has been tapped to be the managing partner of Krieg DeVault LLP, where he began his legal career as an associate in 1993. He succeeds Deborah Daniels, who will remain with the firm as a partner. Daniels had served as managing partner since 2015.
Taft moves to single-class partnership structure
Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP announced Wednesday the firm has adopted a new one-class partnership structure. This move eliminates the two-tier system — equity and non-equity — that had been in place at the firm for more than a quarter-century.
COA affirms dismissal of malpractice suit against Barnes
A South Bend-based staffing company has failed to state a claim for relief in its legal malpractice complaint against Barnes & Thornburg LLP, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled in a Tuesday opinion upholding the dismissal of the complaint against the law firm.
Pass-through tax break passes over attorneys
The sweeping changes that came with the overhaul of the federal tax system included a deduction for pass-through businesses, but attorneys and other professional service providers were brushed aside and likely will not be able to reap that tax break.
Leadership in Law nomination deadline extended
The nomination deadline for Indiana Lawyer’s Leadership in Law Awards has been extended until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, due to technical issues with the online nomination submission form.
Speedway attorney’s discipline added to indefinite suspension
A Speedway attorney with a lengthy disciplinary history has been suspended from the practice of law in Indiana for 90 days, a suspension that will run concurrently with the indefinite suspension he is already under.
Suit by female Ogletree shareholder alleges gender discrimination
Employment defense firm Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart P.C., which has a significant presence in Indianapolis, is accused of discriminating against female shareholders in a federal lawsuit seeking $300 million in damages on behalf of 100 non-equity women shareholders at the firm.
Study: Many law firms unprepared for future challenges
Are law firms simply fighting the last war? Are they preparing for the future, or are they stuck in the past? Those questions are at the center of a report released Thursday that focues on stagnating demand growth, declines in productivity and a rise in expenses.
Indiana eighth to offer state employees parental leave
Gov. Eric Holcomb last month signed an executive order establishing paid parental leave for state employees, effective Jan. 1. Labor and employment attorneys say many private organizations, including law firms, also are offering paid leave to new parents.
2018 outlook: Litigation spending up, law firm rosters down
In a legal market that continues to ask firms to do more with less, there is a bright spot expected to bring about a possible business increase in 2018: litigation.
Succession Planning: What is succession planning for solo and small law firms?
Law practice succession planning is the development and implementation of a plan to protect a law practice’s clients and continue its legal legacy. In some ways, it is coming to terms with the fact that our legal careers are finite.
Indy attorneys see cultural shifts, U.S. similarities on Saudi Arabia trip
It’s a different world, yet many things are the same, including cross-cultural family ties. Those are the impression of Indianapolis attorneys Monica Foster and Bob Hammerle after a two-week visit to Saudi Arabia last month to witness the wedding of their former foreign exchange student, Abdulazziz al Ayed.
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.
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.