In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Indianapolis Bar Association (IndyBar) has launched the “Virtual Ask a Lawyer” online legal advice chat service, where members of the community can chat in real time with an attorney who is prepared to assist with basic legal questions. 

An order from the Indiana Supreme Court issued on April 8 will allow law school graduates who have not yet passed the bar examination to serve as graduate legal interns.

The Indianapolis Bar Foundation is providing grants of up to $3,000 for lawyers to perform services through the Indianapolis Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Outreach Committee’s Crisis Empowerment Program for Central Indiana families in need of legal services during the COVID-19 shutdown. 

The latest legal scoop to keep you in the loop: Here are the top five stories from the IndyBar this month.

How are you spending your time at home? Learning to cook? Mastering a new workout? Watching every single IndyBar webinar? Well, we hope you're checking out a few, at least! See what's on this week's docket and catch up on IndyBar news here.

The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States has resulted in declaration of a national emergency, and the C.D.C., state officials, and public health authorities have issued orders or guidance regarding “social distancing” to protect public health and safety.  Travel has also been significantly affected.

With the end of social distancing, the 2020 Bench Bar Conference will give members an opportunity to stretch their legal (and actual) legs and interact with each other while attending the events, including the Friday morning kick-off presentation by nationally-renowned body language expert Janine Driver, whose entertaining and thought-provoking style will provide insight applicable to all areas of the practice of law.

During this extraordinary time and beyond, the IndyBar is committed to bringing you the information, tools and resources you need to stay informed, stay connected and succeed in the legal profession.

There is no doubt that keeping up a remote law practice in a precarious economy has been challenging — clients are eagerly trying to find ways to manage their legal budgets, and there is a constant stream of legal updates, alerts and webinars to draft and read (including from the IndyBar!) But, there has been exceptional good professionally as well.

During this challenging time, the IndyBar is dedicated to making many of our services, resources and tools available to members online so that you can keep thriving in your practice, even from home!