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Links/Announcements/Legal Articles
Congratulations to Mindy Heidel and Dan Zlatic on their favorable ruling from the Indiana Supreme Court:
Order Denying Petition to Transfer
You are hereby notified that an order, opinion, or notice has been issued in the above-referenced matter on Thursday, August 6, 2020, and can be viewed at the following location:
public.courts.in.gov/Appellate/Document?id=14e588b7-9c5f-4fb5-a99e-12e9c20159d1
Rear-ended driver wins new damages trial after errant jury instruction
A driver who a jury awarded just $10,000 on her personal injury claims after an intoxicated driver struck her car from behind won a new trial on damages Friday. The Indiana Court of Appeals found an erroneous jury instruction may have led to a verdict that was less than the driver had been offered to settle the case.
Court of Appeals of Indiana Decision – IN RE: Cathy Lynn Baker v. Douglas L Grout
CAUSE NO.: 18A-DR-01572
LOWER COURT CAUSE NO.: 29D020410DR913
IN RE: Cathy Lynn Baker v. Douglas L Grout
Opinion Issued
You are hereby notified that an order, opinion, or notice has been issued in the above-referenced matter on Monday, December 10, 2018, and can be viewed at the following location:
https://publicaccess.courts.in.gov/Appellate/Document?id=dd1601d3-f1df-4ebf-8b5b-2cfcc769a8ef
Transmitted pursuant to the requirements of Indiana Appellate Rule 26.
Clerk of the Indiana Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Tax Court
Statehouse Rm. 216
200 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Order to Transfer to the Supreme Court:
CAUSE NO.: 18S-EU-00507
LOWER COURT CAUSE NO.: 41A011712EU2893
Order Granting Petition to Transfer
You are hereby notified that an order, opinion, or notice has been issued in the above-referenced matter on Monday, October 15, 2018, and can be viewed at the following location: Read More:
Commission Nominates 3 Magistrates to Replace Lake Superior judge
Terrence M. Rubino is a member of the Judicial Nomination Committee. Read More
Court of Appeals of Indiana Decision – In RE: Michael R Krohn v. William C. Goodwin
CAUSE NO.: 45A03-1707-CT-01546
LOWER COURT CAUSE NO.: 45D111105CT109
IN RE: Michael Krohn v. William Goodwin
You are hereby notified that an order, opinion, or notice has been issued in the above-referenced matter on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, and can be viewed at the following location:
https://publicaccess.courts.in.gov/Appellate/Document?id=257ae7fc-2cbe-49a0-a164-c705ee6c2bb9
Transmitted pursuant to the requirements of Indiana Appellate Rule 26.
Clerk of the Indiana Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Tax Court
Statehouse Rm. 216
200 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Attorney Carla K. Pyle, Presenter at the National Business Institute Seminar: Mini MBA for Attorneys – June 19, 2018
Carla Pyle of our office is a member of the Faculty participating in a seminar for attorneys, “The Mini MBA for Attorneys” on June 19, 2018, in Merrillville. This seminar will be hosted by the National Business Institute. Carla concentrates her practice in business law, representing business clients in employment matters, contract and the ins and outs of business operations. Ms. Pyle heads the team representing financial institutions in banking and foreclosure matters. Click here for brochure
The Indiana Jury Verdict Reporter, December 2017: Piskuloski v. Shorelne Brewery, Terrence Rubino for the Plaintiff:
Equipment Negligence – A woman participating as a vendor at an event held at a casino was injured when a carbon dioxide tank being handled by employees. For full article click here
Court of Appeals Of Indiana Decision – In RE: Michael R. Krohn v. William C. Goodwin
INDIANA APPELLATE NEWS: We just received Notice from the Indiana Court of Appeals that our client and firm was successful by handing down a decision in favor of the Appellee-Plaintiff, represented by Terrence M. Rubino and Michael E. Polen, Jr. of the Rubino, Ruman, Crosmer & Polen law firm. For more information, see https://publicaccess.courts.in.
The Appellate Court Opinion and Order: IN RE: Tony Petrovski v. Robert Neiswinger
The Appellate Court issued the below Opinion and Order in regard to one of our cases. This is the first Appeal Daniel J. Zlatic has been actively involved in for the offices of Rubino, Ruman, Crosmer & Polen, LLC . He did an excellent job. The Appellate Court ruled in favor of the plaintiff, Tony Petrovski. For further information, please read the case summary and opinion at the following link:
Indiana Supreme Court Decision – Ruled In Client’s Favor – May 11, 2017
The Supreme Court agreed to hear Oral Arguments on March 9, 1017, at which Michael E. Polen, Jr. represented the Plaintiff’s interest, which originated from the trial court case. On May 11, 2017 we recieved the decision. For full article click here.
Attorney Carla K. Pyle, Presenter at the National Business Institute Seminar: Estate Administration Procedures – Why Each Step Is Important
South Bend, Indiana – May 8, 2017
Indianapolis, Indiana – May 11, 2017
Properly administer estates by knowing the “why” behind the procedures. For full article click here.
Indiana Supreme Court Comes To Lake County – Oral Arguments March 9, 2017
March 9, 2017 was an exciting day for our office. The Supreme Court of Indiana heard Oral Arguments in regard to one of our cases where our plaintiff was awarded $2 million in damages. For full article click here.
Attorney Carla K. Pyle, Presenter at the National Business Institute Seminar: Estate Planning, November 14, 2016
National Business Institute Seminar Planning: November 14, 2016 – Register Today.
Estate Planning: Portability, Basis, Income and Capital Gains Tax, and more. Take advantage of the most effective planning strategies in the practice. For full article click here.
Appeals court affirms Smith’s felony conviction to a misdemeanor
Attorney For Appellee: Adam J. Sedia, Rubino, Ruman, Crosmer & Polen
The State appeals the grant of Wallace Irvin Smith, III’s petition for alternative
misdemeanor sentencing. The State presents two issues for our review, which
we restate as: For full article click here
Congratulations to Attorney Kenneth M. Wilk!
He just received an Award from the Dyer Chamber of Commerce for Business Person Of the Year 2015.
Congratulations to Attorney Adam J. Sedia!
Congratulations to Adam J. Sedia on being elected President, Lake County Bar Association, January, 2016.
Jon Remijas an Attorney in the Offices of Rubino, Ruman, Crosmer & Polen filed suit as Local Counsel on behalf of the Gibbs Law Firm of Texas who has been a longtime Associate of the Rubino Ruman firm.
by MAUDLYNE IHEJIRIKA POSTED: 10/22/2015, 09:44PM
Several women who charge they were sexually abused, harassed or touched by the former president of a controversial Oak Brook-based religious and home-schooling organization filed a personal injury lawsuit against the group this week, seeking damages.
The suit filed Tuesday against the Institute in Basic Life Principles and its directors alleges the five plaintiffs were “victim of sexual abuse, sexual harassment and inappropriate/unauthorized touching, many times while they were minors, at the hand of IBLP . . . and suffered.” For full article click here
Is The Act Of God Defense Still Viable In Indiana?
by Adam Sedia for the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association VERDICT, Vol. 38 No. 3
I. Introduction
“[W]ith God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26. What happens, then, when a defendant asserts an Act of God defense? Has he named the Almighty Himself as a nonparty? How can a plaintiff prove that God is not responsible as a nonparty?
Humorous though the inquiry may seem, it nevertheless presents a problem for plaintiffs. Injecting the language of the supernatural into the trial process seems to provide an unfair advantage to the defense. On the surface, it appears to permit defense counsel to argue that the jurors can disbelieve the testimonial and scientific evidence if they find intervention on behalf of an omnipresent, omnipotent force. In any venue, more than one person of faith is likely to sit on a jury, and the language of divinity in the jury instructions can create confusion to the plaintiff’s disadvantage. Thus, it is important to counter the defense before it rests in the jury’s hands. For full article click here
Congratulations to Attorney Terrence M. Rubino!
Congratulations to Terrence Rubino on being elected as an Attorney Member of the Lake County Judicial Nominating Committee! This Commission consists of the Chief Justice of Indiana (or her designee), 4 non-lawyers appointed by the commissioners, and 4 lawyers elected by the Bar Association. The lawyers who live in Lake County elected him as a member. It’s a four-year term, and the Commission only meets when there’s a vacancy in the Superior Court. The Commission takes applications, conducts interviews, and sends a list of 3 finalists to the governor, who selects the judge from that list. September, 2015.
DCS employees sue agency over claims of unpaid overtime
Two Indiana Department of Child Services employees paint a dismal picture of life as an investigator for the state agency. In federal court records filed last month, Arlene Nunez and Veronica Martinez claim they are forced to work during their lunch hours, rarely get five hours of continuous sleep during on-call shifts and spend extensive time outside of regular work hours responding to emergencies, conducting investigations and writing reports — all without receiving earned overtime pay. For full article click here
Judge allows woman’s suit over jail miscarriage to proceed
A federal judge has ruled that a northern Indiana woman can proceed with her lawsuit alleging negligence in a miscarriage she suffered while in custody. Nakehba Hooper sued a former Porter County sheriff, the jail’s warden, the county’s commissioners, the medical company that contracts with the jail, and five jail officers. For full article click here
Lake politicians say state ethics law violates their free speech rights
2012 Indiana law that bans elected officials from working for the cities and counties they represent takes aim at improving ethics in local government. But now six elected officials and one political candidate in Lake County argue the law goes too far and chokes their First Amendment free speech rights. For full article click here
Candidates seek to overturn Indiana’s anti-nepotism law
Seven region residents asked a federal judge Tuesday to overturn an Indiana law that bars them from working for their municipalities in which they’re seeking public office. A complaint filed in U.S. District Court says Indiana’s anti-nepotism law, which was passed in 2012, violates their rights under the Indiana and U.S. constitutions. For full article click here
Lake politicians say state ethics law violates their free speech rights
A 2012 Indiana law that bans elected officials from working for the cities and counties they represent takes aim at improving ethics in local government. But now six elected officials and one political candidate in Lake County argue the law goes too far and chokes their First Amendment free speech rights.”To tell me that it’s not my right to voice my opinion and pursue both careers — it’s ludicrous,” Hammond City Council President Michael Opinker said. For full article click here
Knowing your Neighbor: A Primer on Indiana Tort-Related Law for Illinois Lawyers
The high volume of commerce and travel flowing across the state line means that many injured Illinoisans will have claims that they must pursue in Indiana’s courts. Illinois attorneys will need a quick, easy reference on Indiana tort law to evaluate and pursue those claims. This article provides such a source. For full article click here
Two region women sue DCS over overtime, other labor claims
Two Northwest Indiana women are suing the Indiana Department of Children and Family Services in U.S. District Court over claims of unpaid overtime and other unfair labor practices. Employed as family case managers in the department’s Gary office, Arlene Nunez, of East Chicago, and Veronica Martinez, of Valparaiso, allege in their federal lawsuit they often worked outside of regular office hours responding to emergencies and were forced by supervisors to work through their lunch hours. For full article click here
DCS employees sue agency over claims of unpaid overtime
Two Indiana Department of Child Services employees paint a dismal life as an investigator for the state agency. In federal court records filed last month, Arlene Nunez and Veronica Martinez claim they are forced to work during their lunch hours, rarely get five hours of continuous sleep during on-call shifts and spend extensive time outside of regular work hours responding to emergencies, conducting investigations and writing reports – all without receiving earned overtime pay. For full article click here
Ind. Gov’t. – “DCS employees sue agency over claims of unpaid overtime”
“Just because DCS is a state agency doesn’t exempt it from having to meet the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act,” said Nunez’s and Martinez’s attorney Adam Sedia, of the Dyer-based firm Rubino, Ruman, Crosmer and Polen. “We’re holding DCS to the same standard as any other employer.” For full article click here
Congratulations to our Law Clerk, Victoria Feddeler!
Our Law Clerk, Victoria Feddeler is a member of the Valparaiso University Law School’s International Moot Court Team who competed from January 22nd-26th in the Monroe E. Price Media Law Moot Court Competition in New York City. In teams of two they argued against the other schools and advanced to the quarter-final round, but ultimately were defeated at that level. Each team of two had 45 minutes to argue their case before the judges, answering questions of international and domestic law alike. They competed against teams from the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean, arguing a case regarding digital media, the scope of journalistic privileges, and online privacy. Since this competition added regional rounds, this is the farthest that Valparaiso University Law School’s International Moot Court team has made it in this specific contest. [..]
Gary Komacko Memorial Fund
As part of the jury verdict obtained by Rubino, Ruman, Crosmer & Polen for the wrongful death of Ironworkers Local #395 member Gary Komacko, Gary’s wife Janet was able to create the Gary Komacko Memorial Fund in the hope of helping students of Ironworkers Local #395 family members achieve their educational dreams through scholarships. We are pleased to announce that Terry Rubino and Michael Polen will be alongside Janet on December 17, 2013 when she presents Tess Smith, who is the daughter of Ironworkers Local #395 member John Smith, with the first scholarship in Gary’s memory. Congratulations Tess! We all wish you much success in your educational endeavors. [..]
October 25, 2013
Appeals court rules Cozmanoff wrongful death civil lawsuit can proceed
The Indiana Court of Appeals on Thursday reversed a lower court’s decision to stay discovery in a wrongful death lawsuit launched against a Lakes of the Four Seasons man. [..]
May 23, 2013
Family: Investigation into teen’s sudden death continues
CROWN POINT | Nearly one month after St. John and the Lake County coroner released information sought by the family of a Lake Central student found dead on school property, attorneys for the family say many unanswered questions remain. [..]
February 26, 2013
Editorial: Open access to give family closure
Last August, a 17-year-old Lake Central High School student, Levi Evans Jr., died suddenly on school property. There were no apparent signs of trauma or foul play. Yet there is still no closure for his family. [..]
January 29, 2013
Father demands answers in investigation of Lake Central teen’s death
CROWN POINT | Levi Evans Sr. had just returned from Connecticut and was planning to spend some time with his son the day the boy died last summer. A 17-year-old Lake Central High School student, Levi Evans Jr. was found dead by passers-by on Aug. 8 on Lake Central High School property. [..]
January 28, 2013
Judge mulls ongoing battle for information on death of Lake Central teen : St. John News read more
The Stovall case was handled by Andrew A. Crosmer, Terrence M. Rubino, and Richard P. Long – Appeal work by Adam J. Sedia read more
Pistalo case was handled by Terrence M. Rubino, Appeal work – Adam J. Sedia read more
Father’s attorney seeks contempt order in Levi Evans case
The father of a Lake Central High School student found dead on school property is seeking a court hearing on whether St. John police and the Lake County coroner [..]
August 8, 2012
Father of dead teen meets with coroner
The father of a Lake Central student found dead on school property in August learned autopsy results Wednesday but also found toxicology results may be two weeks [..]
October 24, 2012
Case arising out of molestation not reported by DCS divides court
A lawsuit brought by parents against the Department of Child Services and Evansville Police Department for not informing them [..]
August 30, 2012
Opinion – For Publication
M.D. (Mother) and J.D. (Cllectively, “the parents”) appeal the trial court’s decision to grant summary judgment in favor of the Department of Child Services [..]
August 30, 2012
Recent published opinion from the Indiana Court of Appeals which was argued by Adam Sedia of our firm.read more
DeMotte couple awarded $7.7M read more
Adam Sedia, an experienced appellate lawyer, recently won a favorable ruling from the Indiana Court of Appeals Case: Kosarko v. Padula Cause No. is 45A03-1012-CT-668 read more You can also view Adam Sedia’s Webcast here.
