Indigency uniformity bill advances to full House
Legislation designed to bring uniformity to judges’ indigency determinations is continuing to move through the Indiana Statehouse without opposition.
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LSC looking to continue streak of appropriation increases
Pointing to what it describes as an “overwhelming need for civil legal services,” Legal Services Corp. is asking a federal appropriation of $652.6 million for fiscal year 2021, a $212.6 million increase from the appropriation it received for fiscal year 2020.
Justice by geography? Bill aims to bring uniformity to indigency determinations
Across Indiana, lawyers say judges in different counties often take different approaches to making an indigency determination. That’s led to what some call “justice by geography” — that is, a person facing charges might be deemed indigent in one county, but the same person facing the same charges in another county might be found to have the ability to pay. A Senate bill seeks a statewide standard.
Web Exclusive: Expungement wait period case awaits justices
After more than 10 years with a criminal record, an Elkhart man successfully petitioned to reduce his felony conviction to a misdemeanor. But when he tried to expunge the conviction two years later, he faced an unexpected setback. The Indiana Supreme Court will decide whether he and others in his situation must wait longer for an expungement.
Child Advocates celebrates ‘transformational’ $5M Lilly Endowment grant
Indiana’s largest organization that advocates for the interests of child victims of abuse has received the largest donation in its history — a $5 million grant from the Lilly Endowment. “They call it a transformational gift, and it certainly is for us,” Child Advocates CEO Cindy Booth said of the award.
Alternative approaches: Pew study finds civil legal problems impacting 47% of US households
After finding the need for civil legal assistance in the United States is widespread across all income levels — and perhaps spread wider than previously thought — The Pew Charitable Trusts sees a need for new solutions to addressing the problems experienced by many individuals and families.
Supreme Court makes additional amendments to new pro bono publico rules
The Indiana Supreme Court has further amended newly created rules dealing with the licensing of pro bono publico attorneys on the eve of their effective date.
Champions of legal aid, civics education honored
Reflecting his engineering roots, J. Mark Robinson offers a straightforward solution for the civil legal puzzle: real lawyers in real courtrooms representing real people on real legal issues. The Indiana legal profession recognized Robinson and his commitment by honoring him with the Randall T. Shepard Award for Excellence in Pro Bono. Robinson and other select members of the legal profession and educators were honored for their work in either civil legal aid or civic education at the Indiana Bar Foundation’s 2019 Awards Dinner.
IndyBar: Indianapolis Bar Foundation Recognizes 2019 Fellows
The Indianapolis Bar Foundation expresses sincere gratitude to the 2019 Distinguished Fellows and Distinguished Life Fellows for their long and continuing support of our profession and community.
Champions of legal aid, civics education honored at Indiana Bar Foundation dinner
The Indiana legal profession recognized select members of the legal profession and educators, honoring them for their work in either civil legal aid or civic education at the Indiana Bar Foundation’s 2019 Awards Dinner.
Second chance workshop helps individuals get back on the road
To give a break to individuals who badly needed one, Marion County prosecutors and public defenders joined together Monday and helped hundreds clear the path to getting their driver’s licenses reinstated.
Rent-to-own housing lawsuit settlement comes at a cost
Although the legal battle with rent-to-own housing company Casas Baratas Aqui ended with what the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana calls a “groundbreaking resolution that will have national impact,” the bitterness and damage invoked by the defendants’ counterclaims continues to rankle both sides in the litigation.
Web Exclusive: ILS pilot guides pro se parents in child support
A pilot partnership between Indiana Legal Services and a Tippecanoe County court is providing in-court assistance to pro se litigants in divorce cases. Attorneys sit down with litigants behind closed doors, gather the necessary child-support information, fill out the paperwork and send parents back into the courtroom.
Bittersweet day as Leverenz leaves ILAS after more than 60 years
As she has for the past 61 years, Jackie Leverenz arrived Thursday at Indianapolis Legal Aid Society to tackle the big jobs and dispense with the simple tasks that keep the nonprofit running. But at the end of this workday, she will also be saying good-bye.
Coleman and Kile-Maxwell: Pro bono benefits community, young lawyers professionally
We all know that, as Indiana attorneys, we are required to report our pro bono service each year during our annual registration. Aside from giving you something to report each year, we want to share reasons why we think pro bono service is an integral part of every lawyer’s career, particularly for young lawyers, such as the more than 275 who were just sworn in and joined the Indiana bar this month.
Supreme Court carves out pro bono publico exceptions in rules amendments
The Indiana Rules for Admission to the Bar and the Discipline of Attorneys now include language addressing pro bono publico licenses following amendments made by the Indiana Supreme Court that will take effect next year.
Kuzma appointed to Legal Services Corp. board
A former Indiana assistant attorney general who founded a major Indianapolis-based legal aid organization has been appointed to the national board that oversees federal funding for civil legal aid service providers across the United States.
Justices’ rent-to-own ruling helps consumers, lawyers say
The Indiana Supreme Court reviewed a dispute over a rent-to-own contract and determined the family who had been living in the home were renters, not buyers. The ruling in Rainbow Realty Group, Inc., et al. v. Katrina Carter and Quentin Lintner, might give families who enter rent-to-buy contracts some remedy to prevent their dreams of homeownership from becoming a nightmare.
IndyBar Sections and Divisions Need You!
Each year, the IndyBar offers hundreds of educational programs, social events and opportunities for community involvement, all while introducing new resources and services to serve members of the legal profession. None of these important contributions would be possible without the work of many lawyers, paralegals and law students “behind the scenes” on section and division executive committees.
IndyBar: Attorney and Paralegal Volunteers Needed for Ask A Lawyer and Free Wills Clinic
Don’t have much time, but want to lend a hand? We have two opportunities for you to give back to our community for just two hours only.