Web Exclusive: Longtime mediators celebrate 20 years of The Mediation Group
After 20 years, Neil Bemenderfer and Richard Kraege are still some of the Indianapolis area’s busiest registered mediators.
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Web Exclusive: Indiana Legal Services wellness program finding success, gaining attention
What started as a short-term solution for improving employee mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic has now turned into a full-fledged initiative at Indiana Legal Services.
Web Exclusive: Hispanic legal professionals advocate for greater representation in law
The issues the Hispanic community faces within Indiana’s legal system need to become a greater priority — and not just discussed during a 30-day time frame each year — according to Hispanic attorneys and judges from across the state.
Web Exclusive: Paralegals, legal assistants pursue higher ed while serving law firms
Whether three or 30 years have passed since the last time they’ve received a formal education, several paralegals and legal assistants across the state have returned to, or recently graduated from, college while also working full-time. These women have sacrificed much over the last few months and years, but all say they feel the investment they’re putting into themselves is well worth the effort.
Web Exclusive: Study committee tackling juvenile justice, appointed counsel, human trafficking
With the 2022 Indiana legislative session approaching, members of the Indiana General Assembly are taking a deeper dive into issues facing the justice system.
Web Exclusive: Women appellate judges widen the road for future judiciary
Indiana’s women appellate judges gathered for a celebration at an Indiana State Bar Association event last month to reflect on the history and significance of the 19th Amendment’s 100th anniversary.
Web Exclusive: Indiana Supreme Court proposes rule change to publish public notices online, create website
The Indiana Supreme Court has proposed an amendment to the state trial rules that would allow court-required public notices to go online on a court created-website. The court is describing the proposal as a possible tool to increase court modernization and efficiency, but one media organization is raising some concerns.
Web Exclusive: In-house lawyer launches self-publishing company after bootlegger steals novel
Indianapolis attorney Emily Storm-Smith recently added a new element to her writing endeavors: self-publisher, launching her own indie publishing business called Storm Haus Publishing. The move came quickly after one of Storm-Smith’s novels was stolen and almost sold under a false title and cover.
Web Exclusive: Summer allows Hoosier lawyers, judges to enjoy outdoor activities away from the office
Legal professionals are known for working hard and clocking long hours, but sometimes they need a break, too. Three Indiana legal professionals have found their niche outlets, each unique in its own way. But they all have one thing in common — their hobbies keep them outside.
Web Exclusive: Could more conservative SCOTUS change abortion landscape? Experts aren’t convinced
A more conservative Supreme Court could mean changes to abortion law — or not.
Web Exclusive: Accountability, transparency vital to success of Indiana’s first Conviction Integrity Unity
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office established the state’s first Conviction Integrity Unit in January with the aim of identifying and correcting wrongful convictions in the state’s largest county. Now, the two women leading its charge are fully immersed with sleeves rolled up.
Web Exclusive: Hoosier lawyer picks up real estate ‘side hustle’ during pandemic ‘for fun’
Cruising along with windows down, pointing out favorite homes and daydreaming with her daughter about which house is their favorite is a pastime that Carmel attorney Andrea Shelton didn’t want to give up. Now she’s living out that dream after picking up a side hustle of real estate during the pandemic.
Web Exclusive: SCOTUS to consider carry issue in major Second Amendment case
The nation’s highest court will listen to arguments in a case concerning a New York law that requires individuals to get a license to carry a concealed gun outside their homes.
Web Exclusive: COA considering legislation limiting child sex abuse victim depositions
A one-year-old law is before the Indiana Court of Appeals, which is considering whether the Legislature properly placed restrictions on when defense attorneys can take a deposition of a minor child alleged to be a victim of a sex crime.
Web Exclusive: Supreme Court commission goes beyond ‘court packing’
President Joe Biden has created the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States, a group tasked with studying court reforms ranging from the number of justices to their tenure to their jurisdiction. But will the work of the commission lead to sweeping reforms?
Web Exclusive: NCAA, broadcaster in contract dispute over COVID cancelation of March Madness 2020
After the fanfare of the 2021 NCAA March Madness Tournament, the Indianapolis-based college athletics organization is heading back to the court — this time, an actual courtroom in the Circle City — in a contract dispute over a radio broadcast contract canceled during the pandemic.
Web Exclusive: Bill aims to bring local criminal justice stakeholders out of ‘silos’ to study reforms
House Bill 1068 would allow for the creation of local justice reinvestment advisory councils modeled after the statewide JRAC. The local councils would be tasked with reviewing criminal justice practices on a county or regional level, collecting data and reporting back to JRAC, which would use the data to make policy decisions.
Web Exclusive: Supreme Court in no hurry to find new attorney ethics director
With the search underway for only the third director of the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission, one thing seems certain: The court will take its time finding a successor for retired leader G. Michael Witte.
Web Exclusive: New pro bono mediation project resolves family law cases with less time, money
Two Indianapolis lawyers who had an idea to start a pro bono mediation service for family law cases were stunned by the reception from the local legal community, as more than 100 answered a call for volunteers. “It’s mind-blowing,” said one of the organizers of a program described as “blue jeans mediation.”
Web Exclusive: Lozano Bar supports Latino lawyers with personal, professional resources
Shared experiences bring people together. That’s particularly true of the members of the Rudy Lozano Bar Association, a northwest Indiana group dedicated to serving Latino legal professionals. Formerly known as the Northwest Indiana Hispanic Bar Association, the group filed articles of incorporation under its new name in February 2020. Its namesake is the late federal Judge Rodolfo “Rudy” Lozano, who died in July 2018.