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ISBA adds 3 new memberships

The Indiana State Bar Association has approved three new membership categories, describing the recent additions as a way to have the entire legal community represented within its membership ranks.On June 30, the Board of Governors added the categories of law librarians, legal administrators, and court administrators as affiliate members. They join the paralegal class in that ranking, meaning the four professional groups can serve on committees or join sections, but they cannot vote on issues or hold office.”This is a natural…

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ILS to celebrate 30 years with benefit

The Indiana Legal Services chapter that provides free legal services for low-income residents in civil cases in Monroe and 13 other counties will celebrate its 30th anniversary Aug. 29 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Tutto bene Wine Cafe, 213 S. Rogers St., Bloomington.ILS typically handles cases that involve issues of domestic violence, housing, consumer law, access to health care, and government benefits. It recently partnered with the Indiana University School of Law – Bloomington to establish an Elder Law Clinic….

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Columbus attorney suspended for 6 months

The Indiana Supreme Court has suspended a Columbus attorney who faces felony drug charges for accepting cocaine from a client in lieu of payment for legal services.The court issued an order of interim suspension Tuesday against James Michael Kummerer, who was arrested in April on three Class A felony charges. His criminal case is currently pending in Bartholomew Circuit Court, but the state’s Supreme Court has decided to suspend him for 180 days starting Sept. 28, unless the Indiana Supreme Court…

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Lawyer takes on role with National Bar

A Barnes & Thornburg attorney who is president of the Marion County Bar Association is taking on a new role with a national legal organization.Jimmie McMillian has been appointed to a one-year term as deputy chief of staff for the National Bar Association, which represents more than 22,000 minority attorneys, judges, legal scholars, and law students throughout the world.McMillian will assist incoming NBA president Vanita Banks with her duties and will also help develop and implement plans to achieve her goals….

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Supreme Court revises rules, creates new committees

The Indiana Supreme Court has created two new committees to study issues relating to pro se litigants and child advocacy.The Planning Committee on Self-Represented Litigants will provide a long-range strategy for improving access to justice for pro se litigations, including protocols for judges and clerks or general guidance to courts, legal service providers, and public organizations. This group will meet at least four times a year and recommend policy or procedure changes to the Supreme Court.The number of members isn’t outlined,…

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First female partner in Evansville wins Greshem Award

The Evansville Bar Association presented Evansville attorney Sheila M. Corcoran with the James Bethel Greshem Award at the bar association’s annual Law Day dinner. Corcoran practices with Berger & Berger in Evansville. The James Bethel Greshem Freedom Award recognizes and honors individuals who have distinguished themselves in activities or careers that have elevated respect for the law, promote freedom, or further the ideals of Law Day. The award’s namesake lived in Evansville from 1901 to 1914 and is believed to have…

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Pro bono director selected for SCOTUS fellowship

A commission of nine members chosen by the chief justice of the United States Supreme Court has selected Monica A. Fennell, executive director of the Indiana Pro Bono Commission, as the 2007-2008 U.S. Supreme Court fellow assigned to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts. Her fellowship begins in the fall.Fennell ;s responsibilities would include the analysis and implementation of studies requested by Congress or the Judicial Conference, researching the federal rulemaking process, or drafting publications on administrative issues of…

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Longtime trial lawyer Townsend dies

Indiana has lost a pioneer who has been a fixture in the personal injury legal community for more than six decades.Earl C. Townsend Jr., who co-founded Indianapolis law firm Townsend & Townsend and went on to become one of the most recognized names in the legal community, has died. He was 92.Along with his brother John, he helped establish the law firm Townsend & Townsend in downtown Indianapolis after graduating in 1940 from the University of Michigan Law School. He remained…

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COA finds attorney in contempt

The Indiana Court of Appeals issued an order Friday holding an attorney in contempt. The order came about because of questionable conduct by the court-appointed attorney. At a hearing Nov. 14, the attorney, Allen C. Mattson, admitted the allegations against him were true.Mattson was appointed to represent Michael A. Quillen in Blackford Circuit Court. Mattson was also appointed as appellate counsel for Quillen. From March 14 through July 30, 2007, Mattson filed two motions for extensions, a plea for extension of time…

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Legal services keeps funding in Hammond

The city of Hammond will continue to give $20,000 to the local office of Indiana Legal Services Inc. after city officials initially recommended the council cut the funding entirely.The city council voted 5-4 Monday to distribute funds from a federal Community Development Block Grant. The ILS office has received $20,000 for several years from the disbursement; however, the city received less CDBG money than in previous years and reduced funding for several agencies.Richard P. Komyatte, an attorney who practices in Highland…

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