Accounting firm mergers take off in Indiana, with more expected in 2025
As businesses grow in reach and change the way they operate, accounting firms have been forced to change as well. Their conclusion: “We need to get bigger.”
Daniel Carson, The Indiana Lawyer
Articles
Bars, restaurants assessing impact of new ‘happy hour’ law
“Happy hour” made its return to Indiana in July, with the state’s restaurants and bars able to market drink specials during specific times of the day to their customers.
Indiana joins lawsuit targeting ESG practices of major investment firms
Indiana has joined 10 other states in bringing a lawsuit against three of the world’s largest investment companies, with Attorney General Todd Rokita alleging the firms are illegally conspiring to manipulate energy markets.
Many dealmakers in Indiana, across nation expect robust 2025
After higher interest rates and a sometimes shaky financial market put a damper on mergers and acquisitions in 2023, Indiana law firms that help facilitate deals are hopeful for a rebound this year.
Steeper outside fees force in-house counsel reckoning
Growing rate increases for outside lawyers have companies turning to alternative legal services, hiring more in-house staff and using artificial intelligence to control their costs.
New York church sues Indy-based Disciples of Christ fund over disputed loan
La Hermosa Christian Church filed the suit after the nonprofit lender allegedly declined to release $7.3 million in loan funding advances for a proposed development on the church’s property near Central Park.
Indianapolis attorney resigns from bar after allegations of misconduct in immigration cases
The Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission filed a professional misconduct complaint against Grady Ray after allegations that he failed to file paperwork in a timely manner and was non-responsive to clients in three separate cases.
State bar association looks at limited legal licensing for non-attorneys
The Indiana State Bar Association has been taking a closer look at addressing the state’s attorney shortage, including the possibility of allowing some specially-trained non-attorneys to do some legal work.
Civic leader, prominent attorney Robert H. McKinney dies at 98
McKinney’s name adorns the Indianapolis law school where he enrolled after World War II, and his presence has been felt throughout Indiana for more than 75 years, whether as an attorney, entrepreneur, banker, public servant, or civic leader.
Retired Cohen & Malad partner suspended by Indiana Supreme Court
The court suspended Richard Malad, effective immediately, after he pleaded guilty Sept. 3 in Morgan Superior Court to operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Level 6 felony.
Safe Harbor Policy provides ‘carrot’ for voluntary M&A misconduct disclosures
To give an added jolt to government efforts to deter criminal misconduct in merger and acquisition transactions, the U.S. Department of Justice unveiled a new Safe Harbor Policy last year geared toward voluntary self-disclosures.
Report: Women now comprise majority of law associates
The number of women attorneys reached a historic level nationally last year, a finding that Indiana lawyers confirmed they’re seeing in their day-to-day practices.
Smaller firms, solo attorneys get creative with office space
Some Indiana solo practitioners and small firms, while not being totally virtual, have taken significant steps to reduce the amount of time spent in a traditional office space and are renting much smaller spaces.
Bankruptcy filings rise as consumers struggle with credit card debt, more
In the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana, April numbers for all bankruptcy cases—including Chapters 7, 11 and 13—were up 19.9% compared to the same time last year.
Softer federal stance on marijuana could boost legalization efforts in Indiana
Some advocates wonder if the proposed reclassification of marijuana could be the game changer that opens the floodgates for legalization in the state’s 2025 legislative session.
FTC’s new noncompete ban allows exceptions for mergers
A sale-of-business provision in the agency’s new rules permits entering into a noncompete with a person who is selling a business or disposing of all of the person’s ownership interest in a business in a “bona fide sale.”
Small, solo law firms grapple with data security, costs
One of the big challenges with data security is keeping in compliance with the Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct, which deal with confidentiality of information in the attorney-client relationship.
Water systems, manufacturers brace for limits on ‘forever’ chemicals
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency took a historic step in April to protect communities from so-called “forever chemicals,” with the federal agency releasing a final rule that established legally enforceable limits.
Corporate transparency: New federal law imposes reporting requirements on some businesses
The law is intended to provide law enforcement with ownership information about many companies for the purpose of detecting, preventing and punishing terrorism, money laundering and other misconduct through business entities.
Development emerges slowly at Indy’s justice campus
City and neighborhood leaders have expressed hopes that the opening of the campus would spur redevelopment in Twin Aire, but change hasn’t been fast to take root.