On January 14, 2021, the Supreme Court of the United States resolved a circuit split by unanimously holding that the “mere retention of property” by a creditor after the time a debtor files its bankruptcy petition does not violate the automatic stay under § 362(a)(3) of the United States Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. §§ 101, et seq. In City of Chicago v. Fulton, the City of Chicago impounded individuals’ vehicles for failure to pay vehicular fines, and when those individuals subsequently filed for relief under chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code, the City refused to return the vehicles.

Thanks to the help of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, the IndyBar Legislative Committee is currently monitoring select commercial and bankruptcy-related legislation.

How can you keep up with pending legislation that’s important to you and your practice? With the help of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, the IndyBar Legislative Committee (chaired by Mindy Westrick of the Indiana Energy Association) provides weekly Bill Watch reports throughout the session, which highlight progress and recent actions taken on bills being monitored by the association.

The IndyBar Legislative Committee is currently monitoring the following commercial and bankruptcy-related legislation.

Looking to find your next great law clerk or show your support for diversity in our community? Employer and sponsor registration is now open for the 2021 Diversity Job Fair!

The court will reconsider and/or adjust its operations procedure on December 31, 2020.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic emergency, the Warren Township Small Claims Court will be in a remote operation procedure at least until December 31, 2020

It's the season of giving and even during the hardships of 2020, generous sponsors, bidders and donors helped the Indianapolis Bar Foundation raise over $26,000 during IndyBar's Giving, this year's online silent auction to benefit the programs and initiatives of the foundation.

For the first time since the 2016 establishment of Commercial Courts as a pilot, the Courts are expanding. Four new counties will have a specialized commercial court docket starting January 2021: Hamilton County (Jon Brown), Madison County (Mark Dudley), St. Joseph County (Steven Hostetler), and Vigo County (Lakshmi Reddy). 

2020 has been (and no doubt will continue to be) like riding a roller coaster in a hurricane. Fortunately, for the IndyBar, we have a committed membership that has responded in amazing ways. While the pandemic will affect the practice of law for years to come, we can all be proud of the work our association did to respond in positive and uplifting ways. In a non-COVID year, we would typically recognize our IndyBar award winners at our annual Recognition Breakfast — typically a packed event with comradery and good cheer. Like many things this year, we will recognize our award winners in different (but no less important) ways.