Commission

Indiana’s Lawyer Shortage Sparks Urgent Commission Review: Proposals Aim to Revolutionize Legal Access Statewide

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INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s legal landscape faces a significant challenge as it grapples with a conspicuous shortage of lawyers affecting a wide range of its residents, including those unlikely to ever appear in a courtroom. Leading an effort to address these issues, Indiana Court of Appeals Judge Nancy Vaidik and Indiana Supreme Court Chief Administrative Officer Justin Forkner shared insights on Tuesday into the steps being taken to rejuvenate the state’s legal framework and support those in need of legal services. At the heart of their efforts is the Commission on Indiana’s Legal Future, a body … Read more

Hillsborough Commission Clashes With School Board Over Blocked Teacher Pay Tax Measure

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TAMPA, Fla. — A legal battle is unfolding in Hillsborough County as the Board of County Commissioners fires back in court against the School Board over the exclusion of a proposed tax increase from November’s ballot. This measure, intended to boost teacher salaries, is at the center of a contentious lawsuit filed by the school board. The controversy began when the county commission prevented the school board’s proposed tax from being voted on this fall. This tax aimed to raise $177 million annually by increasing property taxes by $1 for every $1,000 of assessed value, … Read more

Maine’s Public Defense Commission Adopts More Flexible Qualification Criteria for Lawyers

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Augusta, Maine — The Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services has recently modified its standards for lawyers who represent the state’s poorest defendants. This significant adjustment aims to enhance the pool of available qualified attorneys capable of handling such cases, addressing longstanding issues associated with legal representation for the indigent. Previously, stringent requirements regarding years of experience, particularly in specific areas of the law, limited the number of attorneys eligible to take on these cases. However, the new standards will not only consider the duration of experience but also the intensity and complexity of the … Read more

Governor Hochul Appoints Veteran City Lawyer to New York Ethics Commission Amid Ongoing Legal Battle

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ALBANY, N.Y. — In a move reflective of ongoing efforts to enforce ethical governance, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed James Caras, a seasoned attorney with extensive experience in public service, as a new member of the state’s ethics oversight body. Caras, a Manhattan resident with 31 years of service in New York City government, has been nominated to join the state Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government, pending confirmation by a review committee of law school deans. Caras is positioned to serve a six-year term on the 11-member commission, which is tasked … Read more