Woman was not disabled while getting treatment for back pain, 7th Circuit affirms
A woman with chronic back pain failed to convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that she is entitled to disability benefits.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
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New clerk of IN Northern District Court brings expertise to position: Berta says becoming clerk is ‘a dream come true’
There’s a vital role in every court that can often be overlooked in pop culture because it isn’t a judge or litigator: the clerk. In the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, that role is now being filled by Chanda Berta.
IN Northern District Court announces new clerk
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana has announced a new clerk of court. Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio announced Wednesday the selection of Chanda J. Berta as the new clerk. She began that role Monday.
Court orders new trial in pregnancy discrimination suit against Franciscan Alliance based on ‘monstrously excessive’ damages award
A federal jury’s award of $5.5 million to a former Franciscan Health employee who sued the health system for pregnancy discrimination suggests the verdict was based on “passion and prejudice,” a judge has ruled in granting Franciscan’s motion for a new trial.
District court correct in declining to reduce sentence for gun offenses, 7th Circuit affirms
A district court ruled correctly when it declined to impose a reduced sentence for a convicted drug trafficker’s gun-related offenses, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Monday.
Elkhart Co. dismissed from federal lawsuit filed by wrongfully convicted man with mental disabilities
Elkhart County has secured dismissal from a civil rights lawsuit filed by a man with severe mental disabilities whose murder conviction was vacated after nearly 17 years in prison.
$11K sanction for unemployment fraud not excessive, 7th Circuit affirms
A woman who failed to report part-time income on her unemployment applications didn’t get an excessive sanction when she was required to repay $11,190 to the state, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.
Purdue denied judgment, new trial in Title IX case related to ‘malicious’ sexual assault reports
A federal magistrate judge has denied Purdue University’s motion for judgment or a new trial following a jury verdict in favor of a former student who accused the school of violating her Title IX rights for reporting a sexual assault.
Judge declines to enter summary judgment in Newton Co. CAFO case, stays proceedings
Opting to wait until the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completes its second review of a Newton County CAFO, the Indiana Northern District Court declined Monday to enter summary judgment for two environmental associations suing the CAFO’s operator.
US courts bolster security, see drop in cases filed in 2022
The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts highlighted its 2022 legislative goals and achievements — including a new law meant to protect federal judges’ personal information — in an annual report released Tuesday.
Northern District jury awards $5.5M in pregnancy discrimination case against Franciscan
A jury in the Indiana Northern District Court has awarded a Crown Point woman $5.5 million in a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit against the health system Franciscan Alliance.
Man charged with threatening assistant U.S. attorney in Fort Wayne
A man accused of threatening an assistant U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Indiana has been arrested.
Looking at extortion, 7th Circuit affirms enhanced sentence for Hobbs Act robbery
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals is once again looking at whether Hobbs Act robbery constitutes a “violent felony.” Both the district and appellate courts found that it does in the instant case under the extortion element of the Hobbs Act.
7th Circuit affirms summary judgment for insurer after sprinkler malfunction leads to $7M in fire damages
A Michigan insurance company does not have to cover losses of more than $7 million stemming from a July 2019 South Bend fire that destroyed a costume and theatrical supply retailer’s warehouse, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.
7th Circuit: Employer suing union after strikes not required to arbitrate
An employer suing an employee union after the employees twice went on strike won’t be required to take its claims to arbitration.
Federal courtroom named for Northern District Magistrate Judge Rodovich
The Indiana Northern District Court is honoring longtime Magistrate Judge Andrew P. Rodovich with a courtroom named in his honor.
Black nurse’s discrimination claims cannot overcome evidence at 7th Circuit
While acknowledging racism exists in the workplace, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals found a Black nurse’s claim that she was transferred to a lower-paying job solely because of her race was not supported by the evidence.
7th Circuit: MCS-90 says insurance company has financial responsibility for truck crash
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals isn’t letting an insurance company off the hook in paying out a man who was involved in an accident with an interstate trucking company it previously covered.
CJ Roberts issues 2022 year-end report
In his 2022 review, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts brought attention to the rising number of threats against judicial officers and their families before detailing how the number of federal cases filed are declining nationwide.
Brookman might be 1st in filling Indiana federal seats: Experts expect Senate to speed up confirmation of judicial nominees over next 2 years
With the nomination of Magistrate Judge Matthew Brookman to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, the Hoosier State might be seeing the first step in filling all its seats on the federal bench for the first time since January 2021.