Web Exclusive: Legal clinic offers education series through Facebook
When in-person legal education events became virtually impossible during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic chose to go virtual.
Pro bono
Articles
Maley: Pro bono appointments are necessary obligation for justice
I’m still processing the news that this morning my court-appointed death-row client, Wesley Purkey, was executed. I was his pro bono counsel on three civil-rights/conditions of confinement claims in the Southern District of Indiana. So as I wrestle now — and hopefully for some time — with the legal and moral aspects of capital punishment that otherwise have been remote, it seems appropriate and timely to discuss the needs and opportunities for pro bono service in civil cases in our local federal courts. Both are robust.
Evansville bench, bar backing words on racial injustice with actions
The Evansville Bar Association has put forward a detailed plan to address the problems of racial inequality and injustice by not only educating local legal professionals but also fostering a conversation within the larger community.
Expert: Attorneys are families’ best defense in coming eviction storm
While still unknown how many families will lose their place to live once the moratoria on evictions are lifted in Indiana and other states, a leading housing expert says the best treatment is providing attorneys to represent those families in court.
Indianapolis lawyers hosting ‘Call to Action’ for racial equality
As demonstrations and calls for criminal justice reform continue nationwide, a group of Indianapolis lawyers have organized a “Call to Action” to highlight the role lawyers can play in the push for racial equality. The new organization Indy Lawyers for Black Lives will host a Juneteenth event Friday at IU McKinney School of Law.
Helping legal aid: ILAS has full agenda to raise money, build its identity
Even as Indianapolis Legal Aid Society has been successful at bringing in more money from grants and private donors in recent years, the nonprofit is still facing an identity crisis with people getting confused about its name as well as the services it provides. The new chair of the nonprofit’s board of directors is launching an effort to clear the confusion and grow the contributions.
IndyBar: Volunteers Needed for IndyBar’s Virtual Legal Advice Chat Program
Give back and help your community from home! We’re looking for volunteers to answer legal questions from the public via our new online messaging system, Virtual Ask a Lawyer.
Lawyers clean up, grapple with aftermath of weekend violence
Lawyers and law firms are assessing the damage and extending offers of aid after weekend protests turned violent in Indianapolis and other cities around the state. The protests and violent outbursts in Indiana and across the country were sparked by outrage over the death of George Floyd after a Minneapolis police office knelt on his neck.
Newest stimulus bill likely dead, but support for legal aid funding lives
Legal aid received another $50 million boost in funding as part of the new economic stimulus bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday, but while the measure is expected to stall in the U.S. Senate, support to appropriate additional money for legal services appears strong on both sides of the aisle.
IndyBar: Indianapolis Bar Foundation Hosts First Virtual Fundraising Event
On Thursday, May 7, the Indianapolis Bar Foundation (virtually) raised money to benefit the legal community during this tough time.
Pro Bono Matters: Pandemic forces legal aid groups to think outside the box
Pro bono and legal aid efforts are not immune to the adjustments needed to serve clients in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Court closures and restrictions on in-person gatherings have forced legal services organizations such as Indiana Legal Services Inc. to get creative about how they can continue to engage volunteer attorneys and provide legal services to those in need.
IndyBar: Volunteers Needed for Virtual Legal Advice Chat Program
Give back and help your community from home! We’re looking for volunteers to answer legal questions from the public via our new online messaging system, Virtual Ask a Lawyer.
ABA online database links attorneys to pro bono needs
The American Bar Association is unveiling a new online portal designed to better connect pro bono attorneys with individuals and families who need free legal services because of the national COVID-19 emergency.
New IndyBar Foundation program to pay lawyers to provide legal aid
The Indianapolis Bar Foundation has implemented a new program in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic to put dollars in the pockets of young lawyers while continuing to provide free legal services to the public.
Allen County Bar preparing for uptick in need
On a typical Tuesday, the Allen County Bar Association’s legal help line gets 40 to 60 calls, but the organization is bracing for an increase as the coronavirus crisis worsens.
Lewis’ legacy: Cake, applause and a challenge coin mark a special REACH graduation
Calling REACH “a beautiful program,” Kenny Lewis credited the federal court re-entry initiative with giving him the perseverance to stay at his job and teaching him to speak louder so others could hear what he had to say. Baker and the other members of the REACH team described Lewis as a model participant who not only exhibited tremendous character and did everything expected of him, but also encouraged and supported his fellow participants.
IndyBar: Inactive And Retired Indiana And Other Out-Of-State Attorneys Now Authorized To Provide Pro Bono Representation
As of January 1, 2020, a brand new Indiana Supreme Court rule went into effect granting the opportunity for certain qualifying attorneys to hold a Pro Bono Publico License and serve as pro bono counsel. The rule covers certain types of Indiana and out-of-state attorneys who are not actively admitted to practiced law under Indiana’s general rules of admission, but who are otherwise in “good standing” with the bar of this or another state.
Web Exclusive: Pendleton inmate wins $425K solitary settlement with help from Chicago, pro bono attorneys
A Pendleton Correctional Facility inmate will be paid $425,000 by the state after spending four years in isolation for a disciplinary violation he says he didn’t commit. But the settlement might not have been agreed upon without the help of a Chicago-based justice center that says it advocates for underdogs.
Timbs forfeiture case back in trial court for excessiveness ruling
Little more than a year after the United States Supreme Court handed down a landmark decision incorporating to the states the Eight Amendment protection against excessive fines, the Grant County man who bears the name of the case is headed back to trial.
Pro Bono Matters: Pro Bono Indiana helping maximize, streamline state districts’ efforts
There’s a new pro bono organization in town, and it’s bringing a relatively large change to Indiana’s pro bono system. Pro Bono Indiana was established at the beginning of this year to consolidate the administration of Indiana’s pro bono districts while still preserving the autonomy of the local nonprofit programs that have been serving the pro bono districts for years.