From Nov. 6, 2017 to April 13, 2018 I was managing editor of the Indiana Lawyer.
Here was my biography:
"Rob Burgess is managing editor of Indiana Lawyer. Prior to joining Indiana Lawyer, he was city editor for more than five years at the Kokomo Tribune, in Kokomo, Indiana, where he also served as opinion page editor and a member of the editorial board. He holds a degree from Indiana University."
The
story marked with * was awarded: Winner
- First Place - Coverage of Government or Politics (publication
circulation below 30,000) - Indiana Professional Chapter of the
Society of Professional Journalists 2017 Best in Indiana Contest
IBJ
honored for editorial writing, illustrations, medical reporting and
more
IBJ
Staff
IBJ won first place awards for editorial writing and
news illustrations Friday in the 2017 Best in Indiana contest hosted
by the Indiana Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional
Journalists.
IBJ competes in the category for largest
newspapers, digital publications and wire services.
Editor
Greg Andrews won first place for an editorial headlined “Tightfisted
owner tanked Marsh” and third place for an editorial headlined
“Pension shortfalls taint Sun Capital.”
The judge in the
editorial category said Andrews “impressed me with his clear and
courageous opinions and well-supported arguments. He as a strong
grasp of his subject and provides unique, well-written
analyses.”
Artist and designer Brad Turner won first place
in the graphics and illustrations category for an illustration called
“Private equity pick 'em parlor” that accompanied a story
headlined “Private equity firms' acquisition targets get
pricey.”
The judge said Turner’s illustration was “an
engaging solution to a complex message—with a little humor thrown
in.”
Turner also won second place for an illustration called
“This will hurt” that accompanied a story about increasing health
insurance costs.
Other IBJ winners:
IBJ staff won
second place for its work on the 2017 Innovation Issue, which was
honored in the non-deadline story or series category.
Reporter
John Russell won second place in medical or science reporting for his
body of work covering health.
Reporter Anthony Schoettle won third
place for his profile of radio host Dan Dakich headlined “Dan
Dakich might be the nicest, most-hated person on Indy radio.”
Sports
columnist Mike Lopresti won third place in his sports column writing
for his body of work for IBJ.
IBJ’s sister publication, Indiana
Lawyer, also won several awards, including a first place for
government and politics reporting. Indiana Lawyer competes in a
category for publications with circulations less than 30,000.
Former
Indiana Lawyer Managing Editor Rob Burgess won first place for
politics and government coverage for his story Holcomb doubles
“Pence's 4-year total of pardons in one day.” A judge called the
story an “insightful analysis into former Governor Mike Pence's
apparent hesitation to exercise the pardoning authority for the sake
of political convenience.”
Current Managing Editor Olivia
Covington and Editor Dave Stafford won second place in the minority
issues category for stories about minority underrepresentation in the
legal industry.
Reporter Marilyn Odendahl won second place for a
feature story headlined “4 lawyers and a businessman walk into a
bar… .”
***
Indiana
Lawyer wins awards for government, feature, minority issues reporting
IL
and IBJ Staff
The Indiana Lawyer took home three awards Friday
in the 2017 Best in Indiana contest hosted by the Indiana
Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Former
Indiana Lawyer Managing Editor Rob Burgess won first place for
politics and government coverage for his story “Holcomb doubles
Pence's 4-year total of pardons in one day.” A judge called the
story an “insightful analysis into former Governor Mike Pence's
apparent hesitation to exercise the pardoning authority for the sake
of political convenience.”
Managing
Editor Olivia Covington and Editor Dave Stafford won second place in
the minority issues category for a collection of stories about
minority underrepresentation in the legal industry.
Reporter
Marilyn Odendahl won second place for a feature story headlined “4
lawyers and a businessman walk into a bar … and begin distilling,
bottling and selling their own artisan liquor..”
Indiana
Lawyer competes in a category for publications with circulations less
than 30,000.
IL’s sister publication, the Indianapolis
Business Journal, also collected several Best in Indiana awards. IBJ
won first place awards for editorial writing and news illustrations
in the category for largest newspapers, digital publications and wire
services.
Editor Greg Andrews won first place for an editorial
headlined “Tightfisted owner tanked Marsh” and third place for an
editorial headlined “Pension shortfalls taint Sun Capital.” The
judge in the editorial category said Andrews “impressed me with his
clear and courageous opinions and well-supported arguments. He has a
strong grasp of his subject and provides unique, well-written
analyses.”
Artist and designer Brad Turner won first place
in the graphics and illustrations category for an illustration called
“Private equity pick ‘em parlor” that accompanied a story
headlined “Private equity firms' acquisition targets get
pricey.”
The judge said Turner’s illustration was “an
engaging solution to a complex message — with a little humor thrown
in.”
Turner also won second place for an illustration called
“This will hurt” that accompanied a story about increasing health
insurance costs.
IBJ staff won second place for its work on
the 2017 Innovation Issue, which was honored in the non-deadline
story or series category.
Reporter John Russell won second
place in medical or science reporting for his body of work covering
health.
Reporter Anthony Schoettle won third place for his
profile of radio host Dan Dakich headlined “Dan Dakich might be the
nicest, most-hated person on Indy radio.”
Sports columnist
Mike Lopresti won third place in his sports column writing for his
body of work for IBJ.
Daily
stories
2017-11-08
– “Appeals court affirms mortgage foreclosure decision”
(Published: Nov. 29, 2017, Page 21)
A
South Bend man had no standing to challenge the assignment of loan
documents and therefore was not entitled to relief from judgment in a
mortgage foreclosure, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.
2017-11-08
– “Attorney fees affirmed in adult guardianship dispute”
(Published: Nov. 29, 2017, Page 21)
The
Indiana Court of Appeals on Wednesday affirmed an award of attorney
fees in a guardianship dispute that involved expert witnesses who
testified as to the testamentary capacity of a man diagnosed with
dementia.
2017-11-09
– “Post-conviction relief appeal denied”
A
Vigo County man’s petition for post-conviction relief was denied by
the Indiana Court of Appeals on Thursday.
2017-11-14
– “Minkler appointed to U.S. Attorney advisory committee”
Joshua
Minkler, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, is among
nine federal prosecutors appointed to serve a two-year term on the
Attorney General’s Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys, the U.S.
Department of Justice announced Monday.
2017-12-28
– “COA upholds bar’s partial liability for hit-and-run”
The
Indiana Court of Appeals on Friday affirmed judgments of liability
against a Lake County bar accused of overserving a patron who drove a
vehicle that struck another departing customer.
2018-01-16
– “Notre Dame Law School clinic secures disease detection patent”
Detecting
cancers and cardiovascular diseases now may be a bit easier thanks to
a new patent secured by the Notre Dame Law School’s Intellectual
Property and Entrepreneurship Clinic.
2018-01-22
– “Federal courts open during government shutdown”
With
Congress failing to pass a budget measure by the deadline of midnight
Saturday, and the federal government beginning the workweek amid a
shutdown, federal judiciary officials sought to assure the public
they are still open – for now.
2018-01-24
– “State suspends new assisted living center certifications”
The
Family and Social Services Administration has announced a moratorium
on the certification of any new assisted living, adult day service or
adult family care providers until further notice.
2018-01-25
– “Bankruptcy filings fall at slowest rate since 2010”
In
a continuing trend, bankruptcy filings in 2017 continued to fall, but
at a slower rate than any time since 2010, a new report issued by the
U.S. Courts says.
2018-01-26
– “Holcomb extends CBD oil order through legislative session”
Gov.
Eric Holcomb on Friday extended the moratorium on seizures of CBD oil
from retailers’ shelves — as well Indiana State Excise Police’s
education period on products derived from cannabis — while
lawmakers consider bills regulating those products.
2018-01-29
– “Tax Advisory Council has inaugural meeting”
The
Indiana Department of Revenue’s Tax Advisory Council convened
behind closed doors for its inaugural quarterly meeting today.
Created in December, the group’s mission is to “shape the future
of tax administration by providing input regarding agency operations,
policies and legislative proposals,” according to the department.
2018-01-30
– “Kiritsis film release set for anniversary of hostage crisis”
“Dead
Man’s Line,” a new documentary about the Feb. 8, 1977 kidnapping
of Indianapolis mortgage broker Richard O. “Dick” Hall by Anthony
G. “Tony” Kiritsis, is scheduled for release on the 41st
anniversary of the event.
2018-01-31
– “Ex-trooper Camm’s $30 million lawsuit dismissed”
A
$30 million lawsuit brought by exoneree David Camm was dismissed
Monday
by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana in
New Albany.
2018-02-02
– “IRS: 26 sentenced in Indiana last year on federal tax
violations”
A
total of 26 people were sentenced for criminal federal tax violations
in Indiana in 2017, according to the Internal Revenue Service
Criminal Investigation Division.
2018-02-05
– “Hill speaks at DOJ’s Human Trafficking Summit”
Indiana
Attorney General Curtis Hill spoke Friday at the Department of
Justice’s Human Trafficking Summit, where he touted the state’s
increased focus on the issue.
2018-02-07
– “Taxpayers urged to beware of identity thieves”
Some
taxpayers may be in for a nasty surprise when they file their returns
this year, officials say.
2018-02-09
– “McKinney professor testifies on voting case’s lasting
effects”
The
U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in a key voting rights case
necessitates the Department of Justice take corrective action before
the 2020 census, an Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of
Law professor testified.
2018-02-12
– “Public health expert to speak at annual IU McKinney award
lecture”
A
noted expert in public health law will speak Friday at Indiana
University Robert H. McKinney School of Law’s annual
McDonald-Merrill-Ketcham Award Lecture.
2018-02-13
– “Hill files complaint after body found in bug-infested
retirement home”
The
discovery last year of the cockroach-covered body of an Indianapolis
retirement home resident was the impetus for an administrative
complaint against the health facility administrator by Indiana
Attorney General Curtis Hill.
2018-02-20
– “Hill announces annual Prescription Drug Abuse Symposium”
The
office of Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill has announced the
ninth annual Prescription Drug Abuse Symposium for later this year.
2018-02-21
– “Child pornography arrest the latest sign in growing trend”
A
Scott County man’s arrest on child pornography charges by the
Indiana State Police is the latest sign of a growing trend reported
by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
2018-02-21
– “Court rules for Amazon worker denied long-term disability”
An
insurance company’s denial of a long-term disability claim has been
remanded by Jane Magnus-Stinson, chief judge for the U.S. District
Court for Southern District of Indiana.
2018-02-23
– “IU Maurer begins JD/MBA scholar program with top Korean
college”
The
Indiana University Maurer School of Law is currently interviewing
candidates for a novel, full-tuition JD/MBA scholarship program.
2018-02-26
– “Inmate found dead at St. Joseph County Jail”
A
male inmate at the St. Joseph County Jail was discovered dead in his
cell during a routine check Sunday.
2018-02-28
– “State reaches settlement with Takata over defective airbags”
Indiana
Attorney General Curtis Hill announced a settlement Tuesday with TK
Holdings Inc. — the U.S. subsidiary of Takata — over allegations
that the company concealed deadly safety issues related to airbag
systems installed in a wide variety of vehicles.
2018-03-05
– “IU McKinney seeks applicants for summer academy”
Applications
are available for the third annual Summer Law and Leadership Academy
at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
2018-03-12
– “Hill supports Sessions’ fight against ‘sanctuary state
laws’”
Indiana
Attorney Curtis Hill on Friday joined U.S. Attorney General Jeff
Sessions in the Trump administration’s ongoing legal battle with
California over immigration.
2018-03-26
– “7th Circuit proposes document filing rule changes”
Streamlining
the process of filing documents with the U.S. Court of Appeals for
the Seventh Circuit is the goal of a set of proposed changes to the
court’s rules.
2018-03-27
– “ACLU Indiana plans transgender rights Facebook Live event”
The
American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana’s Transgender Education
and Advocacy Program is organizing an “Ask Me Anything” event
starting at noon Wednesday on Facebook Live, featuring advocates Lo
Ray and Michelle Young.
2018-04-04
– “Walmart halts anti-shoplifting program AG criticized”
An
anti-shoplifting program that had been implemented by Walmart at 36
Indiana locations — including Beech Grove, Kokomo and Lafayette —
has been voluntarily discontinued by the company after Indiana
Attorney General Curtis Hill issued a critical opinion.
Print
stories
2017-11-29
– “In legal gray area, social media use may impact work life”
(Page 4)
A
Virginia bicyclist’s chance encounter with a presidential motorcade
late last month exemplifies the growing complications employers and
employees face in the age of social media, local employment law
professionals say.
2017-11-29
– “Wagner Reese looks to the future” (Page 4, with photos
courtesy by Wagner Reese, Eric Learned and Rob Burgess)
During
a grand opening Nov. 9 celebrating the new Wagner Reese headquarters
building at 11939 N. Meridian St., Carmel, it wasn’t hard to see
how far the law firm had come in a relatively short time.
2017-12-13
– “Holcomb doubles Pence’s 4-year total of pardons in one day”
(Page 1, jump to Page 22) *
Gov.
Eric Holcomb issued six pardons on Nov. 20 — twice the absolutions
granted by his predecessor, now-Vice President Mike Pence, during his
four years as governor.
2017-12-13
– “Raines' return to Bingham as COO like homecoming” (Page
4, with photo by Eric Learned)
When
Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP announced Oct. 17 that C.W. Raines III
had been named the firm’s new chief operating officer, his new role
was something of a homecoming. Raines previously worked in the firm’s
Indianapolis office as an associate from 2004 to 2006, where his
practice focused on corporate services including mergers and
acquisitions, startups, and lending transactions.
2017-12-27
– “Rethinking bail: Pretrial release and apps among trends here
and nationwide” (Page 4, jump to 22)
The
drumbeat to reexamine the practice of cash bail in Indiana and
nationally has grown louder in recent years as jails groan under the
weight of overpopulation.
2018-01-10
– “Church of Cannabis seeks sanctuary in RFRA; Hill asks court to
rule for state” (Promo on Page 1, story starts on Page 3, jumps to
Pages 25 and 27)
Indiana
Attorney General Curtis Hill has asked a court to rule in the state’s
favor against what he calls “a small group of marijuana enthusiasts
operating in Indianapolis under the name ‘First Church of
Cannabis.’”
SIDEBAR
STORY: 2018-01-10 – “RFRA’s unintended consequences” (Page
25)
Indiana
Senate Bill 101, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, was signed by
then-Gov. Mike Pence on March 26, 2015. An amendment was then signed
the following month. Since, RFRA has been cited in a few unexpected
ways.
2018-01-10
– “Indiana eighth to offer state employees parental leave”
(Page 8, jump to Page 9)
Gov.
Eric Holcomb last month signed an executive order establishing paid
parental leave for state employees, effective Jan. 1.
2018-01-24
– “Milk on the move - Benefit helps nursing moms while they
travel” (Page 4)
Nursing
mothers facing the prospect of a days-long business trip are often
presented with a dilemma. They can either switch their baby’s diet
to formula for the time being, or store milk ahead of schedule. Such
attorneys at Ice Miller, however, no longer must make these choices
while traveling for work.
2018-01-24
– “The ups and downs of investing in bitcoin” (Promo on page 1,
story on page 7, jump to page 9)
Have
the eye-popping gains posted by bitcoin investors in the latter half
of 2017 grabbed your attention? Has this made you consider adding
cryptocurrencies to your wealth management portfolio? If you said
yes, lawyers, investors and accountants say you’re in good company.
2018-02-07
– “‘End of life options’ a nonstarter at Statehouse” (Promo
on page 1, story on page 3 and jump on page 21)
Indiana
is not among the seven jurisdictions in the country that authorize
medical aid in dying. California, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Vermont,
Washington and Washington, D.C. do, however. For the second year in a
row, a legislative push for an End of Life Options Act failed to gain
traction.
2018-02-07
– “Emerging smart contracts offer possibilities and risks”
(Story on page 7 and jump to page 9)
“Smart
contracts” soon may change the way many lawyers practice.
2018-02-21
– “McKinney professor instructs Cambodian officials on new laws”
(Story on page 3, jump to page 15)
Professor
Xuan-Thao Nguyen conducted training workshops for legal professionals
from Dec. 25-28 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Nguyen directs the IU
McKinney Center for Intellectual Property Law and Innovation.
2018-02-21
– “Advances in big data promise personalization, challenges for
insurers” (Promo on page 1, story on page 7, jump to page 23)
The
science behind insurance is far from new. Actuarial tables were
developed centuries ago, leading to an industry whose core business
model has remained relatively stable as times change. But what
happens when technology threatens to not only disrupt the market, but
completely reshape it?
2018-02-21
– “Kiritsis film recalls insanity defense reform” (Story on
page 4, jump to page 16)
Coinciding
with the 41st anniversary of the notorious kidnapping, a new
documentary, “Dead Man’s Line,” has been released by a pair of
local filmmakers. The focus on the Kiritsis case also recalls how it
drove change in the way the justice system treats the insanity
defense.
2018-03-07
– “Jail chemical addiction programs show promise, but few are
offered” (Story on page 1, jump to page 21)
As
the opioid crisis continues to ravage the state and nation, Boone
County is facing a familiar problem: The jail is bursting at the
seams.
2018-03-07
– “Financial advisers encourage lawyers to set goals, diversify
for retirement” (Story on page 3, jump to page 21)
Voluntary
or not, you will probably have to stop working someday. People like
Brian Wright, of Valeo Financial Advisors in Indianapolis, are asking
their clients these questions: When do you want that to happen, and
what do want retirement to look like when it’s time?
2018-03-21
– “Officials warn flood victims in the state to be wary of
disaster opportunists” (Story on page 3, jump to page 21)
Disaster
can bring out the best in people — neighbors help neighbors, state
and federal agencies spring into action, donations pour in and
charities offer immediate aid. But there is a more sinister element
that sees the aftermath as an opportunity to extract a few fast
dollars from disaster victims. Authorities are now warning those
reeling from the floods that ravaged northern and southern Indiana
against these scammers.
2018-03-21
– “Current, former ND Law students, professors working for
lasting peace, justice in Colombia” (Story on page 4, jump to page
18)
Whether
this peace accord stands the test of time remains to be seen. What is
clear is the dedication of a small group of current and former Notre
Dame Law School students and professors working to seek justice and
win the peace.
2018-04-04
– “Autonomous vehicle regulation stalls out in statehouse”
(Promo on page 1, story on page 3, jump on page 9)
In
the finger-pointing and confusion that marked the end of the most
recent legislative session, regulation for autonomous vehicles in the
state was one of the issues left on the table. Gov. Eric Holcomb last
month called for a special session of the Indiana General Assembly to
address some of the unfinished business, but self-driving cars will
have to wait.
2018-04-04
– “OpenBeds program seeks to streamline connection between
patients, treatment options” (Story on page 3, jump to page 23)
For
the past 18 months, the state has been steadily increasing the number
of available beds for the treatment of opioid addiction. Despite
this, Indiana hospitals and treatment providers were left without a
real-time solution to connect individuals seeking treatment to an
available bed. To address this, Dr. Jennifer Walthall, Family and
Social Services Administration secretary, and Jim McClelland,
director for drug prevention, treatment and enforcement, announced
OpenBeds, a software platform that manages health services.
2018-04-04
– “As state allows for professional licenses, long-term national
DACA solution remains elusive” (Story on page 4)
With
all this uncertainty, one thing DACA recipients won’t have to worry
about anymore — in Indiana, at least — is obtaining state
professional licenses. Gov. Eric Holcomb signed Senate Enrolled Act
419 on March 21, which allowed “Dreamers” to apply for
professional certifications.
2018-04-18
- “Cumberland mental health crisis team among first in state”
(Promo on page 1, story on page 3, jump on page 22)
The
Cumberland Police Department initiated the Cumberland Assertive
Response and Engagement Team in January. The CARE Team is designed by
Chief Michael Crooke to help those suffering from mental illness and
addiction by providing resources to them and their families.
2018-04-18
- “State government confronts sexual harassment” (Story on page
3, jump on page 18)
After
the Indiana General Assembly passed legislation this year to expand
training and write a sexual harassment prevention policy for the
legislature for the first time, the other two branches of state
government are taking action.
