Allen Superior Court halts jury trials until out of COVID-19 ‘red’ status
The Allen Superior Court is halting jury trials until at least Jan. 11 due to the ongoing surge in COVID-19 infections in the community, the court announced Tuesday.
Technology
Articles
In-house legal departments expect pandemic-induced changes to continue
Chief legal officers across the country say COVID-19 has left their corporate legal departments with less money and more work, according to the results of an Altman Weil survey conducted in September and October.
Justices hand down ‘more aggressive’ guidance on court COVID operations amid outbreaks
Court-related outbreaks of the novel coronavirus mean more aggressive approaches are needed for Indiana’s trial courts when it comes to in-person operations during the pandemic, according to a new order from the Indiana Supreme Court.
Justices to hear oil company’s appeal of denied insurance ransomware claim
The Indiana Supreme Court has agreed to hear an oil company’s appeal of a ruling against its claim for insurance coverage after it paid a ransom to hackers to regain control of its computer systems.
User-friendly data: Lawyer-technologists launch new software to address e-discovery problems
A developer of software that comprehensively tracks e-discovery progress in real time describes his team’s inspiration this way: “What we tried to do was take away some of the barriers because people go to law school to be lawyers not to learn software or how to put together Excel spreadsheets … We wanted to create something that was the path of least resistance for people. They just log in and get all the critical information they need.”
LSAT staying remote; Indiana Bar Exam still deciding
Citing the “continuing uncertainty and disruption of the COVID-19 emergency,” the Law School Admission Council has announced that all the remaining LSAT exams will be delivered remotely instead of in-person through April 2021.
Justice Department files landmark antitrust case against Google
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit Tuesday alleging Google has been abusing its dominance in online search to stifle competition and harm consumers. Attorneys general from 11 states, including Indiana, are plaintiffs in the case.
Start Page: IPad OS update gives you permission to Scribble
For a long time, I’ve wanted a legal pad app for my iPad that could reliably turn my handwriting into text. The iPad and Apple Pencil should do this well, but there was too much friction in getting the text to be recognized and usable. That’s all changed with the latest iPad OS update. Apple gives users Scribble — the ability to hand-write in any field on the iPad and the iPad will turn handwriting into text, almost instantly. This is a serious tool.
Google, Oracle meet in SCOTUS copyright clash at Supreme Court
Tech giants Google and Oracle are clashing at the United States Supreme Court in a copyright dispute that’s worth billions and important to the future of software development.
Rush now negative for COVID-19, Supreme Court says
Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush has tested negative for COVID-19, the Indiana Supreme Court said in a statement Tuesday, a little more than three weeks after she disclosed she had tested positive for the disease.
Supreme Court: Text, email notifications available for courts to contact jurors
Indiana trial courts can now send text and email reminders, cancellations, and rescheduling notices to jurors, the Indiana Supreme Court announced on Friday.
New firms juggle business challenges, pandemic pressures
Hanging a shingle is always risky. Add a pandemic to the mix and you’ve got a recipe for stress. Most lawyers across Indiana felt the pinch of the COVID-19-induced economic downturn in some fashion. But those who made career moves in the months before the pandemic say the recession has put their business acumen to the test.
New strategic goals set for improving state courts
The Judicial Conference of Indiana’s strategic plan for the next decade, titled 2020 Forward, rededicates areas of achievement previously attained with past white papers while also setting new goals striving for greater accountability and access to justice.
Online version of LSAT gaining clout with law schools
Like many things that scrambled to the virtual world as the coronavirus chased everyone inside their own homes, the online version of the LSAT is turning out to be a popular replacement to the traditional in-person law school entrance exam.
Justices’ order lifts restrictions on distance CLE credits
The Indiana Supreme Court has announced that any virtual continuing legal education courses taken during this time will not count toward the credit-hour limitations on distance education.
Software provider to Indiana courts, state and local governments hacked
A major provider of software services to state, county and local governments, including the online publishing of election results and the online records system for Indiana state courts, told customers Wednesday that an unknown intruder broke into its phone and information technology systems.
SCOTUS to stick with arguments via telephone for now
The Supreme Court said Wednesday it will start its new term next month the way it ended the last one, with arguments by telephone because of the coronavirus pandemic and live audio available to the public. The latter decision came at least in part at the urging of teachers from Chief Justice John Roberts’ Indiana high school.
Judicial Conference releases 10-year strategic plan to improve Indiana justice system
A strategic plan to improve Indiana’s justice system over the next 10 years has been released by the Judicial Conference of Indiana, the Indiana Supreme Court announced Tuesday.
Plugged In: When it comes to data breaches, security starts with you
Although many of us prefer to believe that we are protected and that our IT department, antivirus and malware tools are keeping us safe from all account hacking threats, it is vital that we understand our role in keeping our own accounts safe.
Justices to hear ordinance dispute involving barred IU frat house
Indiana Supreme Court justices will consider argument in an ordinance dispute between a southern Indiana property owner and the city of Bloomington over a former Indiana University fraternity house when it resumes virtual oral arguments this month.