Opinion - The Indiana Lawyer

Ladendorf: Footage protected by work-product doctrine

February 25, 2014

My law firm recently confronted the discoverability of settlement documentary footage in a case involving a tractor-trailer collision in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Hammond Division. Our firm retained an outside vendor to assist in the preparation of a “settlement video brochure” to present at the federal settlement conference. The video depicted the human toll of the plaintiff’s catastrophic injuries through lay and expert witness statements and home videos.

Dean’s Desk: Legal education partners enhance law school experience

February 25, 2014

At Indiana Tech Law School, we have decided to partner with our local legal community in order to break out of the mold of the “traditional law school.” The judges and lawyers in Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio have been invited to invest themselves in the success of our school and in the professional development of our students, and they have stepped up in a big way to help us.

Pashos: Is cost-of-service regulation relevant in today’s world?

February 25, 2014

Today, public utilities are experiencing significant cost increases, due to issues such as federal environmental and other mandates, and the need to upgrade decades-old infrastructure. These cost pressures, combined with fast-paced technology, market changes and other states’ experimentation with retail deregulation, are causing policymakers and others to ask whether cost-of-service regulation remains relevant or whether deregulation might be a preferable alternative.

Hammerle on … ‘American Hustle’ leads favorites for 2014 Oscars

February 11, 2014

It’s that time of the year when Bob Hammerle makes his Oscar picks. See if you agree with his choices.

Start Page: Tips for catching up after snow days

February 11, 2014

We’re already over a month in to 2014. So far, the weather has wreaked havoc on school and work schedules. If you are like me, the list of things to accomplish has only gotten longer as a result. The solution? Use your technology tools more efficiently. Here are three concepts and related tips to help you (and me) dig out and catch up.

Bell/Gaerte: 3 things to know about withdrawing from a case

February 11, 2014

Unfortunately, there comes a time in some attorney-client relationships when breakup is inevitable. You may have tried to “work things out” with your client, but things only got worse. So what do you do?

DTCI: ‘Caring for’ family under FMLA

February 11, 2014

What happens when a family member is diagnosed with a terminal illness and begins the somber review of their bucket list, noticing that a trip to Las Vegas is still unchecked? Would taking time to accompany and care for that family member be included in the definition of caring for under the FMLA?

Lucas: Our current gun control approach is not working

February 11, 2014

While I am not arguing against a person’s right to own guns or protect himself from threat, here is the question I can not shake: When does one person’s right to own a gun trump another person’s right to return home alive? In fiercely protecting one, we are clearly not doing enough to ensure the other.

Essley: The land of (health care lien) confusion

February 11, 2014

Eric Essley writes about a few of the health care-related lien statutes often encountered and/or cited by the plaintiff’s bar and their in-house/defense counterparts when trying to settle claims.

Hammerle On … ‘Lone Survivor,’ ‘August: Osage County’

January 28, 2014

Bob Hammerle says “Lone Survivor” is a powerful, heartbreaking film that simply has to be seen.

BGBC: Court agrees with IRS that advanced client expenses are loans

January 28, 2014

An important U.S. Tax Court ruling last year may affect you and your law firm. The case settled a long-standing dispute between attorneys and the Internal Revenue Service regarding advanced client expenses for lawyers who handle cases on a contingency basis.

Indiana Judges Association: What you need to know about state judges

January 28, 2014

While there may (or may not) be a big difference between horses and humans, there may not be any difference between horse judging and human judging. After all, judging is a fundamental objective endeavor.

Inbox: Attorney responds to letter suggesting refunds for failing bar exam

January 28, 2014

In reply to Mr. Robert C. Thompson, Jr.’s proposal in the “Viewpoint” column that law schools issue full refunds when alumni fail the Bar Exam twice, attorney Sally Hubbard respectfully disagrees.

Papageorge: Predictive coding gaining support in courts

January 28, 2014

Attorneys now are faced with the monumental task of collecting, reviewing and producing their own client’s electronic documents while also reviewing the opposing side’s electronic documents. This can lead to uncomfortable conversations with clients regarding the significant cost of the process.

Living Fit: Maintain No Gain participants stay lean

January 14, 2014

I hope you realize anyone can make positive changes to their health, no matter the circumstances that impede your path. I hope you enlist the help of a buddy or coach to help motivate you to gain new habits and lose destructive behaviors.

Federal Bar Update: Court launches new website, case management plan

January 14, 2014

The Southern District’s website is revamped, with a new and improved look and feel. The case opinion search feature remains and allows searching by judge and/or date. It can be a useful tool to get recent standards, for instance, on common issues.

Inside the Criminal Case: Technology aids review of questioning technique

January 14, 2014

Danielle Kelly v. State is the first time that the Indiana Supreme Court has addressed law enforcement’s use of the “question first, Mirandize second” questioning technique. 997 N.E.2d 1045 (Ind. 2013). Kelly also provides additional focus on the role technology plays in the changing scope of suspect/law enforcement interaction.

Inbox: Attorney proposes refund if student fails bar exam twice

January 14, 2014

Attorney Robert C. Thompson Jr. writes, "In response to Dean Klein’s article, “Law Schools can’t be good, fast and cheap,” I take exception to his premise."

Hammerle On…’American Hustle,’ ‘Inside Llewyn Davis,’ ‘Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues,’ ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’

December 30, 2013

Bob Hammerle says don’t be surprised if David O. Russell’s “American Hustle” wins Oscar’s top prize.

Hammerle On …’Philomena,’ ‘Nebraska’

December 17, 2013

The unforgettable Judi Dench makes “Philomena” a triumph. Based on a book written by Martin Sixsmith, played here by Steve Coogan, Dench embodies Philomena, an aging Irish woman wrestling with profound regret.

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