Articles

Column: The changing landscape of determining venue

Following the United States Supreme Court’s decision in M/S Bremen v. Zapata Off-Shore Co., 407 U.S. 1 (1972), many Circuit courts have held that a valid forum-selection clause renders venue “improper” in a forum other than the one designated by contract. This term, the U.S. Supreme Court will address whether forum-selection clauses in contracts warrant dismissal or transfer of a case filed in an appropriate federal venue but in contravention of the forum-selection clauses.

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Finney: Is trial technology a reasonable and necessary expense?

A recent decision from the Nevada District Court, Clark County, demonstrated that technology at trial is a valued component and not merely a dog-and-pony show. The dispute at hand centered upon unpaid expenses for trial technology that had been deemed as not a “reasonable and necessary” expense.

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Program provides lawyers trial run at oral argument

A novel program offered by the Indianapolis Bar Association and the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis, the Indiana Appellate Institute gives lawyers a trial run in which they can practice their arguments before a panel of volunteer lawyers and sometimes former judges and justices.

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IndyBar: Plus CLE Expanded to All Sections, Divisions for 2014

Times are changing in the world of mandatory continuing legal education (CLE). At one time, few providers for continuing legal education existed in the state. Now, a simple Google search for continuing legal education in Indianapolis nets more than 80,000 results.

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Start Page: Voices from the cloud

VOIP offers many attractive features. Among them, “cloud based” access to your office phone system. Conferencing, voice mail-to-email, call attendant services, cheap long distance, find me/follow me, etc., are the new normal.

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IndyBar Green Legal Initiative Recognizes 27 Firms, Legal Departments for 2013

The IndyBar Go Green Committee, a sub-committee of the Young Lawyers Division, has released its list of Green Legal Initiative firms for 2013. Now in its second year, the program recognizes legal businesses, including law practices, legal departments, courts, agencies, legal support services and other members of the community that have committed to engaging in environmentally responsible business operations.

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Dean’s Desk: Law schools can’t be good, fast and cheap

It is no secret that legal education has faced criticism in recent years. In fact, a virtual cottage industry has developed around the topic. Entire websites and blogs are devoted to the theme, some specializing in cynical and sarcastic commentary.

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IndyBar: Public Outreach Committee Hosts Mock Election

Students at Shortridge Magnet High School for Law and Public Policy got a first-hand taste of the democratic process on Thursday, Oct. 31 as the IndyBar Public Outreach Committee hosted a mock election among eighth graders for a class representative to the school’s Student Council.

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