Living Fit: Sitting is killing you, so get moving
How is a chair like a cigarette? They can both kill us.
Opinion
Articles
DTCI: Proceed with caution and civility during depositions
As a young lawyer, I have quickly learned that this friction between our duties to our clients and our duty to behave civilly becomes overly apparent at depositions. Without a doubt, depositions are an extremely effective and widely used discovery tool. They present great opportunity to gain valuable facts that can be used against an opponent. That being said, they also present great opportunity for incivility, especially because depositions are generally held outside a judge’s supervision.
Singer/Jones: A survival guide for zombie construction projects
In real estate and construction, zombies really are all around us. Structures with no life inside scar the real estate landscape in every major city – the abandoned automobile-parts manufacturing facility; the half-completed condo building; the vacant video store with its giant, empty parking lot; the literal hole in the ground surrounded by rusted construction fencing and graffiti – all threatening the health and safety of the structures and inhabitants around them.
Laurin: Well-crafted contracts can avoid subrogation disputes
Most Indiana construction law practitioners would probably agree that Indiana caselaw on construction issues is hardly robust. One exception is cases that address the enforceability of waiver of subrogation provisions (usually under AIA contracts) to prevent claims for damage to the “Work” (again usually as defined by AIA contracts) when a builder’s risk policy should or does cover the damage.
Federal Bar Update: Minor rule changes and attorney-client privilege
Any amendments to various federal rules always take effect Dec. 1. Some years there are significant changes, other years few or no amendments are in play. This December is very modest in terms of federal rule amendments.
Inside the Criminal Case: Contempt, punctuality and expressing yourself to a court
We advise our clients that unfortunately, delays can be part of the court experience. However, one thing we have never advised our clients to do is “tell the court how you really feel.” Or, as Dave Chappelle would say, we have never advised our clients to “keep it real” with the court.
Making Rain: I’m pretty sure my clients love me
Most small to mid-sized companies use on average three to five law firms. Larger companies use even more. So, each and every day you are being compared to your competitors. Knowing how you compare to them in terms of your service and client satisfaction is good to know. You can get this information in a variety of ways and use it to bring in even more business from the client.
Hammerle on … ‘The Skeleton Twins,’ ‘The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them’
Bob Hammerle says “The Skeleton Twins,” which stars two people know for their comedy work, derives its strength not from comedy but the emotional connection of disturbed twins.
Smith: What to do when the EPA sends an Information Request
Even the best companies occasionally attract the attention of regulators. Recently, the United States Environmental Protection Agency announced that it will be focusing on addressing noncompliance issues and vigorous enforcement. EPA commonly investigates compliance and potential enforcement with an “Information Request.”
INBOX: Keep Marion County Small Claims out of Superior Court
A reader believes the rational solution to issues in Marion County Small Claims Courts is to keep the system as it is and not move it to Marion Superior Court.
Indiana Judges Association: Judges struggle with ‘rule of law’ questions daily
As judges, we struggle with “rule of law” questions every day. The gray areas between a fact and a supposition dog our paths. The tension between the letter of the law and the conscience of the community complicate our considerations. In some cases, the rule of law just seems to be unjust. But overall, the true meaning of “rule of law” should not be a barrier.
Technology Untangled: Document scanning in the palm of your hand
Today we will look at an application that allows your smartphone to function as a surprisingly capable portable document scanner, capturing images of higher quality and much greater utility than a typical .JPG photo capture.
Hammerle On… ‘Land Ho!’ ‘Sin City: A Dame to Kill For,’ ‘The Trip to Italy’
Bob Hammerle says the stars of “The Trip to Italy” have no shame when they get together.
Quick: Use the tools available to market today’s law firms
Lawyers are trying new and different ways to advertise with more focus on websites and digital media. But even today, problems remain.
Sidebars: Noblesville eatery’s Buffalo chicken sandwich is tasty surprise
We give Copper Still Kitchen & Bar 3 gavels!
Start Page: Microsoft Outlook distribution lists reduce email frustration
Have you ever used the “reply all” option on an email that has multiple recipients, only to get a return email notifying you that one (or more) of the email addresses was typed incorrectly by the original sender? Or, do you frequently email the same group of people by typing one email address at a time, only to realize that you forgot to include someone (usually right after you hit send)? The solution? Use distribution lists in Microsoft Outlook.
Thomas: When drafting a will, be as specific as possible
To ensure that your client’s property will go to the beneficiaries of his or her choosing, as opposed to the beneficiaries that the state chooses, it is imperative that the last will and testament be very specific and provide for as many contingencies as possible.
Alerding/Latterell: A 2014 view of portability
Gift and estate tax planning has gotten easier for married couples thanks in part to a relatively new concept: porting of the federal gift and estate tax exemption to a surviving spouse.
Dean’s Desk: Distance learning comes of age at NDLS
Thanks to distance-learning technology, professors as well as students have much more flexibility than previous generations did. Today a professor might teach in Chicago one week and in South Bend the next.
Deveau: RCRA threatens validity of brownfield redevelopment
During the past 12 months a troubling trend has developed in the area of brownfield redevelopment. In several routine property transactions, buyers, sellers and lawyers have had the unpleasant experience of having their deals scuttled by a questionable application of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.