Prioritizing increases ease of mergers
When considering whether to merger your firm with another, several factors must be considered, including avoiding geographic overlap and being honest with employees.
neglect
Articles
Bill would increase funds for pro bono districts
The modest filing fee could help offset declining IOLTA funds.
Indiana chief justice delivers final address
Shepard says state courts are no longer ‘Lone Rangers.’
Darden winds down his appellate career
The Indiana Court of Appeals judge will retire in July when he turns 75.
Courts closed in observance of MLK day
All state and federal courts are closed today in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. No court opinions were issued.
State bar sponsors Talk to A Lawyer program on MLK day
The Indiana State Bar Association will sponsor “Talk to a Lawyer Today,” a pro bono program to provide legal assistance to underserved populations, throughout the state as a tribute to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. The program is an opportunity for attorneys statewide to offer free legal consultations to members of the general public who might not otherwise be able to afford the counsel of an attorney.
Nobel prize recipient to speak in Indianapolis
Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law will host a lecture by Leymah Gbowee, joint recipient of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, on Feb. 16.
Registration open for Allen County Bench/Bar Conference
The Allen County Bar Association will host its Bench/Bar Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at Grand Wayne Center, 120 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne.
Indiana Legislature proceedings from 19th century now available online
A joint project between the Indiana University Maurer School of Law Library and the IU Digital Library Program has digitized nearly 8,000 pages of General Assembly proceedings from the 1800s, creating an online repository that is accessible free of charge.
2 high school students to attend program in Washington, D.C.
The Indiana Bar Foundation has announced the names of the two Indiana high school students chosen to attend the United States Senate Youth Program in March.
Deputy prosecutor receives public reprimand
A Hancock County deputy prosecutor has received a public reprimand from the Indiana Supreme Court for surrendering prosecutorial discretion and allowing a corporate check fraud victim to
dictate the terms of restitution as a pre-condition to a plea agreement.
COA: trial courts can limit administrative review
State law allows a trial court to decline to hold a jury trial and limit its review of a local municipality’s administrative decision, according to the Indiana Court of Appeals.
7th Circuit affirms deputy sheriff’s firing
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has determined the Warrick County Sheriff’s Department didn’t break the law when it fired a probationary deputy sheriff based on violations of standard operating procedures, failure to follow orders and insufficient commitment to the job.
State representative’s attacker permanently disbarred
The Indianapolis attorney who violently attacked and attempted to kill a state representative has been permanently disbarred by the Indiana Supreme Court.
Monday deadline to register for first Black Law Students Association mixer
The Indiana chapters of the National Black Law Students Association will gather at Indianapolis law firm Krieg DeVault on Jan. 20 for the inaugural Black Law Students Association mixer.
Opinions Jan. 13, 2012 ILD
The Indiana Supreme Court and Indiana Tax Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
Indiana Court of Appeals
In the Matter of the Term. of the Parent-Child Rel. of J.H. & Ja.H.; and M.H. v. The Indiana Dept. of Child Services (NFP)
48A05-1105-JT-225
Juvenile. Affirms trial court’s judgment terminating a mother’s parental rights to her two children.
In Re: The Commitment of A.M. v. Community North Hospital / Gallahue Mental Health Services (NFP)
49A02-1109-MH-887
Mental Health. Affirms that sufficient evidence was presented to support an involuntary commitment and finds the appeal is moot because the commitment expired Dec. 21, 2011.
Opinions Jan. 13, 2012
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
Kevin Harris v. Warrick County Sheriff’s Department
10-3706
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Evansville Division, Chief Judge Richard Young.
Civil. Affirms District Court’s entry of summary judgment for the sheriff’s department in a case where a deputy sheriff’s probationary employment was terminated based on violations of standard operating procedures, failure to follow orders and insufficient commitment to the job. Harris’s circumstantial evidence of discrimination falls far short of supporting an inference that he was terminated because of his race.
Chief Justice Shepard gives final State of the Judiciary
Indiana Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard gave his final State of the Judiciary on Wednesday, recapping not only the past 12 months, but also highlighting court initiatives and changes that have occurred during the quarter century he spent as chief justice.
Opinions Jan. 12, 2012 ILD
Indiana Court of Appeals
Jason Quinn v. Accurate Builders (NFP)
93A02-1108-EX-698
Agency appeal. Affirms decision of the Full Worker’s Compensation Board denying application for adjustment of claim.
Robert Weybright v. Kathy Weybright n/k/a Kathy Scaggs (NFP)
43A03-1105-DR-191
Domestic relation. Affirms determination that Kathy Weybright was not in contempt of a court order, that Robert Weybright maintain health insurance for the parties’ minor daughter, and that Kathy retain sole custody of the daughter. Remands for the court to modify its order so that Robert isn’t required to reimburse Kathy for certain bills.
Indiana Tax Court had posted no opinions at IL deadline.
Opinions Jan. 12, 2012
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
United States of America v. Michael Redmond and Charles Avery Jr.
10-1947, 10-3914
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Evansville Division, Chief Judge Richard L. Young.
Criminal. Affirms denial of Avery’s request to withdraw his guilty plea to crack cocaine distribution, the calculation of the crack cocaine quantity attributed to him and his sentence. Remands for the District Court to reconsider Redmond’s sentence following a guilty plea to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute in excess of 50 grams of cocaine base in light of United States v. Corner.