Clifford, Myers confirmed as U.S. attorneys for Indiana
Indiana is welcoming a historic milestone as the first African American U.S. attorneys to serve in the Hoosier State were confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Thursday night.
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Johnson, Myers unanimously approved by judicial committee for U.S. attorney posts
The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary on Thursday approved the U.S. attorney nominees for the Northern and Southern districts of Indiana on a voice vote with none of the senators opposing the Hoosier lawyers.
Indiana U.S. attorney nominees scheduled for committee vote
The two nominees for the U.S. attorney positions in the Northern and Southern districts of Indiana are scheduled for a vote Thursday in the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, moving the Hoosier State closer to filling the top federal lawyer seats that have been vacant since late 2020.
Biles: FBI turned ‘blind eye’ to reports of gymnasts’ abuse
Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles told Congress in forceful testimony Wednesday that federal law enforcement and gymnastics officials turned a “blind eye” to USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse of her and hundreds of other women.
Senate votes to confirm Biden pick for DC appeals court
The Senate on Monday confirmed the first appellate court judge of President Joe Biden’s tenure, elevating a judge with strong prospects of landing on the president’s short list should a Supreme Court vacancy arise.
Indiana Senate blocking repeal of state handgun carry permit law
The Republican-dominated Indiana Senate is blocking a bill that would repeal the state’s permit requirement for carrying a handgun in public. The measure previously easily passed the House but was opposed by law enforcement organizations.
Open federal judiciary seats bring calls to focus on the process
As he marked the two-month anniversary of his presidency, Joe Biden had not nominated anyone to either the federal bench or a U.S. Attorney’s Office, which distinguished him from his two most recent predecessors. One retired member of Indiana’s judiciary, however, is calling attention to the worrisome problem that beyond open positions, the state has no clearly defined process for identifying qualified Hoosiers to fill the vacancies.
Biden announces diverse first slate of judicial nominees, including 7th Circuit nomination
President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced his intent to nominate a “trailblazing slate” of judicial nominees, a field that includes Black, Muslim American and Asian American Pacific Islander candidates for federal courts and for the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
ALJ attorney fees bill heading into opposition at Senate hearing
After sailing through the House without a single vote in opposition, a bill that would enable individuals to recoup attorney fees from state agencies could hit a stiff wind Wednesday as public interest organizations are aligning to try to block the legislation from moving any further through the Statehouse.
Bill extending full faith and credit to tribal orders heads to full Senate
A bill to extend full faith and credit to tribal court orders from the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians is headed to the Indiana Senate after a committee gave unanimous support to the legislation.
Breyer mum as some liberals urge him to quit Supreme Court
With spring comes the start of the period in which many justices have announced their retirement from the United States Supreme Court. Some progressives say it is time for Justice Stephen Breyer to go, without delay. Other liberal voices have said Breyer, the oldest justice, should retire when the court finishes its work for the term, usually by early summer.
Southern Indiana District Court on list for more judges
The Judicial Conference of the United States is asking Congress to create 79 new judgeships in federal courts across the country, including adding two new permanent judges in the Southern Indiana District Court.
Bill giving guardians authority over final dispositions gets House support after Senate debate
A bill to extend the duties of guardians when an incapacitated adult dies was much better received in an Indiana House committee Tuesday than when the bill was introduced in the Senate.
Leading Senate Democrat says outlook bleak on immigration bills
A leader of Senate Democrats’ drive to help millions of immigrants become citizens cast severe doubt on its prospects Monday, as one of President Joe Biden’s early priorities seemed in danger of running aground in a Congress his own party controls.
Tinder, Williams support Garland’s nomination for AG
A coalition of former federal judges, including two from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, is urging the U.S. Senate to confirm Judge Merrick Garland as the U.S. Attorney General, describing him as having a “strong moral compass and abiding integrity.”
AG nominee Garland to focus on civil rights, political independence
Merrick Garland, President Joe Biden’s nominee for attorney general, is appearing for his confirmation hearing Monday vowing to prioritize civil rights, combat extremist attacks and ensure the Justice Department remains politically independent.
Bill to alter Lake, St. Joseph judicial selection rankles local bench, bar
Legal professionals in Lake and St. Joseph counties are raising serious concerns about advancing legislation that would change the structure of the local judicial nominating commissions that shape the state trial court judiciary in the northern Indiana counties.
Indiana Senate committee advances COVID-19 legal immunity bill
State lawmakers have advanced a bill that would protect individuals and businesses from COVID-19-related lawsuits. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday afternoon moved Senate Bill 1 to the Senate floor for consideration.
COVID immunity bill garners support, but concerns raised about overly broad language
Legislation meant to shield Indiana businesses and individuals from COVID-related liability was met with a groundswell of support on Wednesday, though some raised concerns that the language of the bill could have unintended legal consequences.
Biden to name judge Merrick Garland as attorney general
President-elect Joe Biden has selected Merrick Garland, a federal appeals court judge who in 2016 was snubbed by Republicans for a seat on the Supreme Court, as his attorney general, two people familiar with the selection process said Wednesday.