Taft takes four patent lawyers from Bose McKinney
The highest-profile addition is Jim Coles, a veteran lawyer who will co-lead his new firm’s intellectual property practice.
Law
Articles
Former Star columnist suing newspaper
Susan Guyett, who wrote the Talk of Our Town column, claims the newspaper discriminated against her on the basis of age when
she was let go from her job in 2008.
Memory Gardens manager sought $3.2M, awarded $175,000
A Johnson County judge approved the reduced amount, which was agreed upon during mediation. The settlement brings funeral
home and
cemetery business a step closer to being sold.
Judge rejects Guidant’s defibrillator plea deal
A federal judge has rejected Guidant Corp.'s guilty plea to charges it hid defects in heart defibrillators, after some
doctors and patients complained about the $296 million deal.
Penrod Society thief sentenced to five years
Marion County Superior Court Judge Stanley Kroh sentenced Brandon Benker to three years in prison and two years in a Community
Corrections program, in which he may be assigned to work release or home detention. Benker stole more than $380,000 from the
group in 2008.
Prosecutor’s Office missed deadline on $273K in seized OmniSource cash
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department likely will have to return more than $273,000 in cash seized as part of a
racketeering investigation after the Marion County Prosecutor's Office missed a civil forfeiture deadline.
Anderson tech firm One Number files patent suit against Google
An Anderson firm that provides a “one number” service that rings all of a client’s phones has filed suit
against Web giant Google, alleging Google Voice infringes on two of its patents.
Revised Mel Simon estate suit calls Bren ‘abusive’
Melvin Simon’s daughter Deborah is lashing out at her stepmother Bren in a new court filing, saying she was “mentally
and verbally abusive” toward the billionaire late in his life and kept him isolated from friends and family.
ITT Educational altered test scores, ex-employee’s suit says
Former director says he saw employees give passing scores to students who had failed entrance exams, raise their grades and
alter their attendance records so they would continue to receive U.S. financial aid.
Tomisue Hilbert investigates mother’s death, $15M insurance policy
The wife of Indianapolis businessman Steve Hilbert is working with a team of attorneys to determine whether her deceased mother’s
estate can claim the benefit of a life insurance policy issued by Houston-based American General Life Insurance Co.
Brizzi ordered dismissal in trespassing case
Another case has surfaced in which Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi personally weighed in to the benefit of defense attorney
Paul Page, Brizzi’s friend and business partner.
Live Nation seeks dismissal of Murat lawsuit
Beverly Hills, Calif.-based entertainment company says lease gives it the right to change venue’s name to Old National Centre.
Failed developer of French Lick casino sues Cook exec
Cook Group Chairman Steve Ferguson is target of complaint that charges he and others violated federal racketeering laws by
serving
on an entity that recommended a team that included Bill Cook to develop the French Lick Resort project.
Judge to speed federal health care challenge
Eighteen states, including Indiana, argue the federal government cannot force citizens to buy health insurance coverage.
Judge OKs sale of cemetery, funeral home company
Pennsylvania company is one step closer to purchasing the Indianapolis-based Memory Gardens Management Corp., whose former
owner pleaded guilty to theft and securities fraud.
Ex-race car driver loses appeal on Porsche ownership
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation Inc. is the rightful owner of a
classic 1979 Porsche on display at its Hall of Fame Museum.
Fair Finance trustee sues Dan Laikin for $19M
The suit against Laikin, a longtime friend of Fair Finance CEO Tim Durham, is the first major legal move to untangle the morass
of related-party loans that propelled the company into insolvency.
Hilbert in-law’s insurance fraud trial set for October
As IBJ reported last year, Houston-based American General Life Insurance Company is attempting to invalidate a $15
million policy it issued in January 2006 insuring the life of Germaine “Suzy” Tomlinson—Conseco Inc. co-founder
Stephen Hilbert’s mother-in-law—who died Sept. 28, 2008, at age 74.
IU law prof drops bid for Justice Department post
Several Republicans had objected to Dawn Johnsen's criticism of the Bush administration's terrorist interrogation
policies.
Simon mansion in Bel Air on market for $50M
The 20,000-square-foot estate is in the ritzy neighborhood’s most prestigious area,
and boasts eight bedrooms and 16 bathrooms.