Newsletter - Lake County Bar Association

With barely more than one month under my belt as President, I am pleased to report that the LCBA is as busy as ever accomplishing good things on behalf of Lake County lawyers. The Installation Dinner at the Avalon on January 21, 2005 was well attended and a fine evening. Thank you to all who attended and for your words of encouragement. The keynote speaker was ISBA President and Merrillville lawyer Clyde Compton, who had a lot to share with us. One point of particular interest to me in his keynote address (aside from his kind words about me and my family) was about our LCBA membership. Lake County is the second largest county in Indiana and has fourteen delegates in the ISBA House of Delegates. Given our size and the strong level of involvement of our lawyers, the LCBA has been and will continue to be a strong voice in the direction and positions taken by our State Bar Association. Yet, as Clyde Compton also acknowledged, there are counties smaller than Lake County (i.e. Allen County) that have the same number of delegates representing them at the State level due to the fact that they have a higher percentage of their attorneys belonging to the Indiana State Bar Association. In Lake County, approximately 75% of the licensed lawyers belong to the LCBA and approximately 62% belong to the ISBA. Compare this to an 88% membership rate for Allen County. Think how much stronger a force for the betterment of our lawyers and communities in Lake County and for shaping ISBA policies and procedures at the State level we would be if we could increase our LCBA and ISBA memberships to say 85 or 90% participation. This is a worthwhile and attainable goal for us. The more we unite and speak in a uniform voice, the greater the good we will achieve both here in Lake County and at the State level. In this vein, you will be hearing more in the coming months about the many benefits of being a member of the LCBA. This will include the pledge I made to provide group access for our membership to the new on-line access to court records project as yet another benefit of belonging to the LCBA. Membership indeed has its privileges. Let=s work to make our memberships in the LCBA and ISBA and our voice as representatives of the legal profession even stronger.

In my first month and one-half, we also prepared, distributed and tabulated a survey of our membership concerning the eight judicial candidates for the judicial vacancy in Criminal Court Room Three. While lawyers had only eight days to complete the survey and the LCBA office only two days to tabulate the results, we managed to elicit over 335 responses, tabulate them, and have them presented to the Judicial Selection Commission in time for its February 11, 2005 interviews of the judicial candidates. Thank you to all those who timely responded to allow us to provide this valuable service in our judicial selection process. And a special thank you to Vernita and Cordell Funk in assisting with the tabulation and reporting of the results. The final panel consisting of Magistrate Glenn Commons, Magistrate Kathleen Sullivan and Lake County Prosecutor Diane Boswell was sent to the Governor's Office for final selection. Good Luck to our candidates.

I have also had some positive responses to the suggestion in my first President's Message that we take a look at updating and improving our newsletter, the "Minute Sheet," as we did with our website. I am asking for more input from our membership as we move forward on this proposal. One response I received confirmed my suspicion that many of our membership have never seen nor heard of a Court "Minute Sheet" (the precursor to our current CCS Form) from which our newsletter derived its name. For starters, a few new titles are being batted around, i.e. "The LCBA Today," "The LCBA Counselor" and "The Lake County Lawyer" to name a few. ("Res Ipsa Loquitur" was shot down rather quickly.) Please contact me or Vernita with any suggested names you have. Secondly, it was suggested that we purchase a digital camera and include pictures from our numerous events in the newsletter. Another good idea given the ease of digital photography today. Third, we have received suggestions and would like to see more articles from our various practice sections. We have very active LCBA Sections, and the more useful information we can provide on particular areas of law and our section activities, the more valuable our newsletter will be to our members. Adding a little more color to the newsletter is also on the table. I will be meeting with Vernita and Jim Foster in the weeks to come about the newsletter update. Please share your thoughts with us so that we know what you would like our newsletter to be B whether as to content or as to format and style. Your input is needed and appreciated.

The LCBA is a great collaborative effort. Please share your thoughts with us on these or any other matters of interest by phone, fax, email or otherwise. Come to a Board of Managers meeting -- the third Wednesday of each month. Help us to make the LCBA an ever better association of lawyers and for lawyers in Lake County.

Kent A. Jeffirs

DIVORCE MEDIATION TRAINING FOR INDIANA REGISTRY:

FEBRUARY 27 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2005, 8-5:30

VALPO SCHOOL OF LAW

A. APPROVAL OF COURSE: The Indiana Supreme Court Commission on Continuing Legal Education (ICCLE) has approved this seminar for 40 hours of basic domestic relations mediation education. VUSL students can join the statewide Indiana Registry of Domestic Relations Mediators after completing this seminar. In Illinois, some counties require mediators to have 40 hours of divorce mediation training approved by the local court. There is an overview of each county's requirements at http://www.caadrs.org/studies/domrel.htm#qualifications .

B. TRAINERS: The trainers are attorney-mediator Janet Mitchell of Fort Wayne, and counselor-mediator Paulette Carson, MSW, LCSW, of Indy. Professors Vance and Schmidt have applied to assist as mediation coaches. The trainer's bio is at www.JanetMitchellMediator.com .

C. PREREGISTRATION AND COST: Pre-registration is encouraged AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. While VUSL students may register at any time up to February 21, reservations will be made exclusively for those students until February 10. Thereafter, the seminar will be opened up to members of the public (although for the Indiana Registry, attendees must have completed a bachelor's degree prior to taking the seminar). The minimum class size is 8 and the maximum class size is 24. Send the information requested in the pre-registration form to Janet Mitchell by email ( JanetMitchellJD@aol.com ), fax 260.483.7660 (toll-free 877.267.9586), or letter, Janet Mitchell, 10431 Oak Valley Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46845.

The seminar cost for VUSL students is $575. The cost for those not presently VUSL students is $720. Payment is due by February 21, fully refundable through that date. Make checks payable to "Janet E. Mitchell" at 10431 Oak Valley Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46845.

If you need to make financial arrangements, payment for the seminar may be made with a minimum deposit of $75 by no later than Monday, February 21. For payment of the $500 balance, $100 installments may be made payable March 4, 18, April 1, 15 & 29 (unless otherwise negotiated). The cost is discounted 20% due to in-kind contributions from Professors Vance and Schmidt, and VUSL.

D. LOCATION: This 40-hour workshop will be held at Valparaiso School of Law Wesemann Hall, 656 S. Greenwich, Valparaiso, IN. Lunch will be on your own from 12:15-1:15. Full attendance is required.

E. CREDIT: In addition to being approved by the Indiana Commission for 40 hours of domestic relations mediation education, lawyer participants will be eligible to claim CLE credit (24 hours, including six hours of professional responsibility credit).

Preregistration Form: Valparaiso Divorce Mediation Workshop

(ADR Rules require this information for ICCLE usage in maintaining contact with you in the future.)

1. My Full Name (as I want it on my training certificate):

2. Local Telephone & Fax:

3. Local Address:

4. Permanent Address (if different):

5. Permanent Phone:

6. Permanent Home Contact Person (if other than the applicant):

7. My email and/or Website address:

8. Attorney/Mediator Number (if attorney/mediator): # _______________

9. I am on the Civil Mediator Registry: Yes/No

10. I meet the domestic relations mediation registry prerequisite: Yes/No

If so, check one:

___ I have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; or

___ I am an attorney in good standing; or

___ I am a judge.

Email, fax or mail to Janet E. Mitchell, Attorney-Mediator, Director of the Midwest Mediation Training Center, 10431 Oak Valley Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46845, telephone and fax: 260.483.7660 (toll-free 877.267.9586), JanetMitchellJD@aol.com .

“JUSTICE FOR ALL”

Several years ago the “Judges Program” aired on WJOB radio with Judge James Richards and host Irv Lewin. Attorney Alexis Vasquez Dedelow, one of the station’s new owners, and Mr. Thurman Ferree, host of a daily program on WJOB, began airing a similar weekly program, “Justice For All” on November 5, 2004. This new program will air every Friday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Guests from the courts and legal community will appear to discuss topics of interest to the community. It is hoped that this program will better inform the public about the legal system in Lake County.

Judge Diane K. Schneider has agreed to assist in scheduling topics and guests for the first few months. Any judge, lawyer, bar association officer, or court-related or law-related program administrator having an interest in appearing on the program should contact Judge Schneider at (219) 933-2390.

Any individual or business wishing to sponsor this program should contact Axexis Vasquez Dedelow at (219) 844-1230.

MAGISTRATE RETIRES

George S. Ivancevich, who has served under Judge Lorenzo Arredondo in the Lake County Circuit Court, since 1997, as Probate Commissioner, Civil Magistrate and Family Court Magistrate, is announcing that he has decided to step down from the bench and return to private practice. George S. Ivancevich wishes to publicly thank Judge Arredondo for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Lake County.

INTERNET ACCESS TO THE LAKE COUNTY ONLINE DOCKET
IS NOW AVAILABLE

The Lake County Online Docket is now available to attorneys. No longer will you have to wait on the phone or stand in line to receive information from the clerk’s office. The Online Docket, available at the Lake County web page, www.lakecountyin.org , will enable you to quickly check the status of cases (excluding Juvenile Division cases) in the Circuit or Superior Courts.

The Online Docket allows an attorney (or assistant) who becomes a registered user for $75 per year to quickly check the progression of the case. Attorneys can read certain orders online, keep track of hearing dates, and request child support payment histories. Because case information is updated every fifteen minutes, everyone can be assured that they are receiving the latest information.

The Online Docket also provides additional information automatically to attorneys. The Online Docket provides alerts to notify attorneys of final decrees, final orders, interlocutory orders, judgments, lis pendens, and notices of appeal. Registered attorneys can customize the Online Docket to meet their individual needs. They can sign up to receive automatic e-mails to alert them to attorney appearances, service of process, hearing dates, probate claims, judgments and warrants. To become a registered user, visit Lake County’s website with your credit card available.

The Legal Secretaries Association of Lake County in cooperation with Judge Jeffery J. Dywan will host a demonstration of the Online Docket at its next luncheon on February 23 at the Radisson in Merrillville.

ORDER RELEASING EXHIBITS

The Court Reporter of Civil Division, Room One is hereby authorized to dispose of all exhibits offered or received as evidence in CIVIL cases TRIED in this Court and which have been concluded by final decision, including appeals, before November 20th, 2000, while Judge Dywan was the sitting judge in Room One.

Any party or attorney of record in a case who desires to retain any of said exhibits may do so by notifying the Court Reporter and reclaiming the exhibits on or before May 1st, 2005.

Thereafter, the unclaimed exhibits shall be disposed of without further notice.

The Clerk of this Court shall immediately post a copy of this Order in ALL the offices of the Lake County Clerk.

SO ORDERED this 28th day of January, 2005

Diane Kavadias Schneider
Lake Superior Court
Civil Division, Room One
Hammond, Indiana
(219) 933-2892

FAMILIES & DIVORCE:
WORKING IT OUT

Families and Divorce is a mandatory 4 hour class informing parents of ways to help their children through the divorcing process. Learn practical communication strategies so that both parents can stay involved in the child’s life. This class fulfills the court order requiring that both parents attend a class within 60 days of filing for a marriage dissolution or separation proceeding in Lake Superior Court involving any child or children under the age of 18. Attend one class, from 6-10 p.m., cost $50 per person. Schedule for 2005:

Southlake location Tri-City location

8553 Taft St. 3903 Indianapolis Blvd.

Merrillville, IN East Chicago, IN

(219) 736-4523 (219) 392-6011

Wed. 2/9 SL 6:00 pm Thurs 2/24 TC 6:00 pm

Wed. 3/9 SL 6:00 pm Thurs. 3/24 TC 6:00 pm

Wed. 4/6 SL 6:00 pm Thurs. 4/21 TC 6:00 pm

Wed. 5/4 SL 6:00 pm Thurs. 5/19 TC 6:00 pm

Wed. 6/8 SL 6:00 pm Thurs. 6/23 TC 6:00 pm

Wed. 7/6 SL 6:00 pm Thurs. 7/28 TC 6:00 pm

Wed. 8/10 SL 6:00 pm Thurs. 8/25 TC 6:00 pm

Wed. 9/7 SL 6:00 pm Thurs. 9/22 TC 6:00 pm

Wed. 10/5 SL 6:00 pm Thurs. 10/20 TC 6:00 pm

Wed 11/2 SL 6:00 pm Thurs. 11/17 TC 6:00 pm

Wed 12/7 SL 6:00 pm Thurs. 12/15 TC 6:00 pm

LAWYERS ON THE MOVE

Galen A. Bradley was recently elected as a new shareholder at Querrey & Harrow’s Indiana office. His new location is 8585 Broadway, Suite 510, Merrillville, IN 46410. Phone 738-1820 – fax 738-1821.

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Lee Christakis has relocated his office to 517 North Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307. Phone 226-9953 – fax 226-9958.

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Jane Callies’ correct phone number is 756-7408.

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Sachs and Hess, P.C., located in Hammond, IN since 1931, is pleased to announce the opening of a second office at 141 W. Lincoln Highway, Peoples Bank, 2^nd Floor, Schererville, IN, effective February 3, 2005.

Ronald F. Layer, managing attorney of the firm, and attorney Michael D. Babcock will be permanently located at the Schererville office, along with paralegal and secretarial staff. The offices will also be available for appointments, meetings and conferences with the other Sachs and Hess, P.C. attorneys. Phone (219) 932-6070. Fax (219) 322-1290.

C.A.H., INC.

COURT ORDERED SERVICES

*Families and Divorce Classes

Anger Management Classes

Domestic Violence Classes

Parenting Classes

Substance Abuse Prevention Classes

Guardian Ad Litems Available

Mediation Services

Supervised Visitation Site

*This course is the one required by the courts and meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month from 6–10 p.m.

For more information, contact CAH, Inc. for all your needs at (219) 884-7365 – fax 985-0593.

COMPLETE ESTATE SERVICES

"WE SELL IT ALL"

On Site Estate Sales
On Site Auction Services
Quick Settlement
Appraisal Services Available
Real Estate Service

FREE VERBAL APPRAISALS

Estate Sale Professionals
Thomas Surovek, Auctioneer
219-844-2462 Voice
219-844-2463 Fax

tomsurovek@aol.com

Ind Lic AU10200146

“WALK IN” GUARDIANSHIPS

Beginning February 2, 2005, attorneys may “walk in” and file with the Clerk uncontested Petitions for the Establishment of Guardianship Over a Minor every Wednesday afternoon until 3:00 pm. All necessary consents must be attached to the petition. The petitions will then be heard that afternoon from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm by Referee Giorgi. (Please note day of week has changed).

CRIMINAL CORNER

Jim Foster

The Criminal Defense Lawyers had their monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 2, and the next meeting will, as always, be the first Wednesday of the month as follows:

Wednesday, March 2, 2005

Andorra

5:15 p.m.

The March meeting will include an update, among the CDL's of discussion concerning advertisement letters. For those CDL's members interested there are some handouts available, in the LCBA office, at the court complex. There is a limited number of these, so it's basically first-come first-serve but please attend in March so we can have some more discussion about this matter.

The long awaited picture promise may, after all, become a reality and some of the more striking-appearing CDL's will pose for their group picture.

We will also spend some time, at the March meeting, discussing possibilities of plaques to be displayed at the site of the ceremonial tree for the late James Kimbrough and Daniel Toomey. We will have some prices and thoughts to toss out at that time. If we get those back, in time, they will be part of the pass out, at the LCBA, so you can give it some thought before the meeting. I hope any person(s) with ideas or information for a plaque will come to the meeting and, hopefully, give us an Aup-front" indication of your idea so we might disseminate it. We completed the tree planting and we need want, when the weather breaks, to be ready with the plaque. So please come to the March meeting and help make a decision on this.

Further, in March we want to discuss several topics, to put on the board, for a hoped-for meeting with the prosecutor's office. The thought is to indicate those areas where dialogue between CDL and the prosecutor's office could be helpful. We have to receive a reciprocal list back and then air these concerns at a meeting. Give some thought to where you believe dialogue between the defense and state can be helpful and let's discuss such.

Lastly, at the March meeting, we will discuss whether, in the coming year, we want to sponsor another seminar. Our December 2003 seminar, you may recall, featured the Abrain-game." Those present will recall how Nicole Spicer (then a prosecuting attorney) managed to squeak the prosecutor's to a victory by her unfair (she was then a prosecutor) quick-buzzer technique.

Hope to see you in March.

LAKE COUNTY
DOMESTIC RELATIONS COUNSELING BUREAU

WHAT THE BUREAU CAN DO FOR YOU:

The Bureau can link you with the following resources for services on a low sliding-scale basis:

If you and your lawyer have filed pleadings and are court-referred:

Mediation

Reconciliation Counseling

Custody Evaluations

Guardian ad Litem and Supervised Visitation

Services

General Counseling Services

If you are not court-referred but are still seeking services:

Marriage/Family counseling

General Counseling Services

(Addiction, Stress, Anger

Management, Surviving Abuse, etc. )

The Bureau Also Provides:

a. a safe environment for clergy to counsel

congregation members,

b. free parenting classes,

c. post-decree conflict services,

d. support group services

How Bureau Services Get Provided:

• Court ordered

• Referred by any other sources…even

yourself

To Get Bureau Services:

1. Call the Bureau (755-3683).

2. If you are court-ordered provide us with

your attorney’s name.

3. Interview with Bureau by phone or in

person to determine a choice of referrals

which best suit your needs.

4. Contact referrals and follow

recommendations.

Convenient Location

1. Lake County Government Center in Crown Point

LCBA REFERRAL SYSTEM

The referral system is open to any LCBA member who has been in practice at least 3 years. Any member can sign up in as many areas as they are interested in accepting referrals. The cost is $50 for referral registration and $25 for each area of law listed. A caller is given the first three names and phone numbers in an area. The cards are marked, indicating each time the name was given. The first card is moved to the end of the list. The areas of practice, the number of attorneys participating in that area and the number of referrals are listed below. There were 477 referrals given in the month of January. There have been 3571 referrals given 2004.

# of

Attys. Area of Practice Ref

5 Americans With - Disabilities/Elder 7

28 Bankruptcy/Collections 10

3 Civil Rights/Discrimination 32

4 Consumer Law 35

17 Corporation/Business 10

36 Criminal/Adult & Juvenile 23

45 DWI/Traffic 17

6 Employment/Discharges & Discipline 60

0 Environmental 0

29 Family Law 83

12 Foreign Speaking 2

2 Immigration Law 3

1 Insurance Law* 7

17 Medical Malpractice 26

2 Patent/Trademark 6

57 Personal Injury 27

18 Real Estate/Zoning 29

4 School Law 15

8 Social Security 16

4 Tax Law 6

3 Tenants Rights 25

3 Transportation 1

26 Wills/Trusts/Probate 11

10 Worker's Compensation 19

13 Licensed in Other States 7

TOTAL 477

The referral panel will change over in February, 2005. The old panel’s membership will expire and the new panel will be put in place of 2005. If you are interested in becoming a panelist, please fill out and return the form that’s located in this newsletter.