Baker & Daniels cuts operational staff
Tough economic times are causing law firms across the country to consider staff cuts as a way to trim costs, and the Indiana legal market isn't an exception.
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Former Marion Superior judge dies
A former Marion Superior Court judge and longtime executive director of the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council died April 5 at his home after a long illness.Hon. Richard P. Good Jr., 76, was appointed by Gov. Frank O’Bannon in 1997 to Marion Superior Court, where he served in the Criminal Division. During his time on the bench, he was chosen by his peers to serve on the executive committee. After leaving the bench in 2002, he took on temporary assignments as presiding…
Attorney faces charges of mail, wire fraud
A federal grand jury in Hammond has indicted a Schererville attorney with two counts of wire fraud and one count of mail fraud after being accused of stealing money from two clients.
Lawyer suspended for conversion, lying
The Indiana Supreme Court suspended a Vanderburgh County attorney today for at least three years for committing what the court describes as the most serious of ethical breaches.The court came to its decision In the matter of: Douglas W. Patterson, No. 82S00-0402-DI-90, as a result of Douglas Patterson’s conversion of client funds, deceit in concealing his misconduct, and dishonesty with the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission.Patterson was an associate at a law firm which maintained a trust account. In 1999, Patterson and…
Connected attorney reflects on patent film
After seeing the film "Flash of Genius," about a man who sued the auto industry over what he claimed was his design for intermittent windshield wipers, an Indianapolis attorney who represented Mercedes (Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft) against the real life Bob Kearns has his own take on the film.
Aspiring attorneys general face off: Other campaigns get the spotlight, but this one deserves a closer look
With at least two very closely watched races in Indiana – governor and president – and multiple political theories about how either race will go, there’s bound to be less attention paid to some of the other candidates. But with Republican Gregory Zoeller and Democrat Linda Pence up for the attorney general post and the incumbent Steve Carter not running, this race is worth another look. At stake is the oversight of the state attorney general’s office, basically a very large…
Chief PD: No one forced me out
The top public defender in Marion County said he wasn’t forced to leave the agency for any reason, though he does worry that politics could play into the naming of his successor.Indiana Lawyer put the question to David E. Cook after reading a posting on Ruth’s Blog, a Web log devoted to news and commentary. The posting claimed that Cook was forced from his job for political reasons.While Cook is cognizant that his position is a political one and attempts have…
Notable attorney to speak at IU-Bloomington
A prominent attorney, civil rights leader, and political figure will deliver the 2008 Neal-Marshall Lecture in Public Policy March 27 at Indiana University in Bloomington.Vernon E. Jordan Jr. will share his thoughts about the current presidential campaign and other topics in his lecture, “America – Crossing Boundaries of Possibility.” Jordan was executive director of the United Negro College Fund Inc., president and CEO of the National Urban League Inc., served as an advisor to President Bill Clinton, and has practiced law in Arkansas…
Court: Michigan lawyer to stay away for 2 years
An embattled Michigan attorney is barred for two years from taking any new cases in Hoosier courts, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled today. Justices issued a per curiam opinion today in disciplinary action In the Matter of Geoffrey N. Fieger, No. 98S00-0609-DI-340, finding the attorney committed misconduct by making material misrepresentations in a sworn application for temporary admission to St. Joseph Circuit Court in late 2005. Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard and Justices Theodore Boehm and Robert Rucker agreed on the two-year…
Court orders suit against Papa John’s to trial
The Indiana Court of Appeals reversed a grant of summary judgment in favor of a national pizza chain and its employee, finding there were genuine issues of fact as to whether the employee’s statement to police was protected by privilege. In Thomas Williams and Sanford Kelsey v. Kelly Eugene Tharp and Papa John’s U.S.A. Inc., No. 29A02-0707-CV-625, Thomas Williams and Sanford Kelsey appealed the trial court grant of summary judgment in favor of Papa John’s on their claims for defamation, false imprisonment,…
Lawyer advertising spurs State Bar survey plan
Hoosiers will soon be asked whether “ambulance chasing” attorneys should have to wait 30 days after an accident or injury before directly contacting potential clients by mail.
Supporting politicians: Legal industry among biggest contributors to campaigns
Attorneys’ total contributions nationally to 2008 presidential candidates*:If you’ve been getting calls since the primaries or even earlier, asking you to donate to political party A or candidate B, or to help to spread the word about issue C, you’re not alone. It’s no secret that attorneys – whether as individuals or as a combined effort of attorneys in a firm – contribute to campaigns. In federal campaigns in 2004 and so far this year, Indiana lawyers are listed as…
Attorney, ICLU founder dies
A prominent and well-respected labor attorney who had a great impact on Indianapolis and the legal community died July 27.Alan T. Nolan, an attorney, author, and historian, was 85. Calling and a memorial service will be Aug. 10 and 11.Nolan was born in Evansville and moved to Indianapolis at the age of 10. He attended Harvard Law School and clerked for Sherman Minton at the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago. He returned to Indianapolis in 1948 and practiced law…
Two Indy firms join ‘green’ initiative
Two central Indiana law firms have been recognized by the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce as being “green.” Bose McKinney & Evans and Ice Miller were accepted into the chamber’s new Green Business initiative along with four other businesses. The initiative requires applicants to meet certain requirements – be a current member of the chamber, be at least a bronze member of the Central Indiana Clean Air Partnership, and complete an application for review. In addition, members of the Green Business…
Missing attorney found dead
A Bremen attorney was found dead Oct. 20 by police in a field in northern Indiana. Ronald Sowers, 70, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest.
Girl allowed to try out for baseball team
An Indiana high school junior who was prevented from trying out for her school’s baseball team because she is female will now be allowed to participate in tryouts. Heather Bauduin, a baseball player who relocated to Wabash, Ind., from California, was not allowed under an Indiana High School Athletic Association rule to try out for Wabash High School’s baseball team. Public Justice, a public interest law firm in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia firm Hangley Aronchick Segal & Pudlin, represented Bauduin and…
Partners receive public reprimand for ads’ use
Two partners in the Indianapolis law firm Benkie & Crawford received public reprimands from the Indiana Supreme Court Thursday for attorney misconduct in their advertisements for legal services.
Peace of mind restored: Cemetery trust case results in multi-million dollar settlement
It was bad enough that Cecilia Means had to watch as her grandmother’s casket was pulled from a waterlogged gravesite where it had been buried for 17 years. On that day in March 2007, the southeast Indiana woman stood covering her mouth and sobbing as workers pulled the stainless steel casket from several feet of muddy brown water and a steady stream of water leaked from where the lid joined the sides. That day seemed liked a nightmare at the 40-acre…
Asian American Alliance to host reception
The Asian American Alliance Inc. will host a reception to celebrate its professional leadership program, cAtAlyst, and the organization’s efforts to inspire Asian Americans to lead and serve. The reception will be from 5 to 7 p.m. March 12 at Indianapolis law firm Bingham McHale. To attend, contact Pam Dove at (317) 968-5352 or [email protected] by March 10. For more information about the organization, visit AAAI’s Web site.
Indy firm expands practice into Chicago
Indianapolis-based law firm Baker & Daniels has opened a new law office in downtown Chicago with seven attorneys who recently left the same Chicago firm. The firm previously established B&D Equity Property Tax Group in the city, which will now join the law firm in the same office. The goal of the expansion is to meet the growing needs of its Midwest clients as well as establish a presence in Chicago. The firm hopes to grow its new office to 50-plus…