Hoosier Lawyer

Help Rebuild the Big Easy -- And Have a GREAT Time Doing It

The Indiana State Bar Association is offering an outstanding opportunity for service and an absolutely great time in America's most fascinating city -- New Orleans.  So join in for the ISBA's Spring Get-Away to New Orleans -- You'll have a wonderful time. As the great Cajun cook Justin Wilson would say -- "I GUAR-ON-TEE!"

While New Orleans is still in the long rebuilding process, most of the  city which is known to tourists is up and running.  Spring is a glorious time to be in The City That Care Forgot, as the azaleas and camellias are in full bloom.  More than 1,000 of the city's great restaurants are now open, as are most of the city's night spots -- and more are opening every day.  For those who want to join fellow ISBA members for dinner, reservations for the group have been made at three of the best restaurants in New Orleans -- Emeril Legasse's NOLA, Dickie Brennan's Bourbon House and world famous Antoine's, the French Quarter legend run by the same family for more than 150 years.

The meeting is held during the fantastic French Quarter Festival, which many locals find the most enjoyable of the city's many festivals.  Music will be everyplace in the Quarter -- and it's all free.

But there is also a serious aspect to the meeting.  Several hours of CLE sessions on disaster preparedness and recovery will be offered -- taught by some of the New Orleans lawyers who know the subject intimately.  And each day will offer an optional opportunity to help with a service project organized by the ISBA.

There is still time to register for the ISBA's Spring Get-Away meeting in New Orleans April 20-23.  To register online, just CLICK HERE, or call the ISBA at 317-639-5465.  The special room rate at the fantastic Hotel Monteleone is still available until this Wednesday, March 25. 

So roll up your sleeves, and join us.  Break a sweat, help people out, listen to some music.  It's all good for the soul.

WOW ! Solos are TRULY AMAZING! ! !

As many of you know, I've been opening my own law office.  It's located on the southwest side of Indianapolis in Decatur Township.  The office is open -- sort of.  Still unpacking boxes, and need to hire a receptionist.  Obviously, this explains why I have not posted much lately.

I'll go through some of the details later, but for now let me just say that I have a whole new level of respect for solos.  I've always respected those who go it alone.  But now, that respect has risen to an entirely higher level. 

More details to come.

Hoosier Hoops -- Best Players EVER

Hoosier Histeria -- the ALL-TIME BEST

It's time for March Madness.  Its a term we Hoosiers came up with years ago, which has now been co-opted by the NCAA.  But those of us who grew up in Indiana long before the "class" tournament know what Hoosier Histeria was all about.

So as we sit back an watch the NCAA, and check our office pools, I though I'd offer my choice as the best basketball players ever to come out of Indiana.  It's obviously a subject for debate, but here are my choices:

First team:

C - Greg Oden.  Lawrence North, 2006.  This big man is the most-complete center ever to come out of Indiana. He will likely lead his team to its third straight state championship -- and this year they will be undefeated.  He's Ohio bound, but he will always be a Hoosier.

F - George McGinnis, Indianapolis Washington, 1969.  Big George was the most dominant high school player I ever saw.  He led the undefeated Continentals to a state championship against maybe the best Final 4 ever. When a Kentucky player said he wasn't that tough, Big George lit him up the next game for 56 points and 31 rebounds.

F - Larry Bird, Springs Valley 1974.  The "Hick from French Lick" grew to be "Larry Legend."  He played basketball like no one else.  His court vision, competitiveness and knowledge of the game were unsurpassed.  As an All-American at Indiana State, he took his team to the NCAA championship game.  As a pro, he nearly single-handedly turned around the Boston Celtics, restoring the team to its former glory, and a couple of NBA championships.

G - Oscar Robertson, Crispus Attucks, 1955.  The Big O was simply the best.  After winning a state championship, he led Cincinnati to the NCAA championship.  As a pro, he averaged a triple double for an entire season -- probably the most remarkable extended performance in basketball history.

G - John Wooden, Martinsville, 1928.  Long before he reinvented basketball as the greatest college coach ever, John Wooden was a remarkable basketball player.  He led Martinsville to the 1928 state championship game, where they lost to Muncie Central on a last-second half court shot at the buzzer.  He went on to be an All-American at Purdue University, but there was no NBA then.  So he went into coaching -- and into sports history.

Second team:

C - Clyde Lovellette, Terre Haute Garfield, 1949

F - Terry Dischinger, Terre Haute Garfield, 1958

F - Damon Bailey - Bedford-North Lawrence, 1994

G - Rick Mount, Lebanon, 1966

G - Steve Alford, New Castle, 1983

Honerable Mention:

"Fuzzy" Vandivier, Franklin, 1922; Bill Garrett, Shelbyville 1947;  "Jumping" Johnny Wilson, Anderson 1946;  Jimmy Rayl, Kokomo, 1959; Billy Keller, Indianapolis Washington, 1965;  Jack Moore, Muncie Central, 1978; Tom Van Arsdale & Dick Van Arsdale, Indianapolis Manual, 1961; Scott Skiles, Plymouth, 1982;  Mike Conley, Lawrence North, 2006.

It's time for March Madness.  Its a term we Hoosiers came up with years ago, which has now been co-opted by the NCAA.  But those of us who grew up in Indiana long before the "class" tournament know what Hoosier Histeria was all about.

So as we sit back an watch the NCAA, and check our office pools, I though I'd offer my choice as the best basketball players ever to come out of Indiana.  It's obviously a subject for debate, but here are my choices:

First team:

C - Greg Oden.  Lawrence North, 2006.  This big man is the most-complete center ever to come out of Indiana. He will likely lead his team to its third straight state championship -- and this year they will be undefeated.  He's Ohio bound, but he will always be a Hoosier.

F - George McGinnis, Indianapolis Washington, 1969.  Big George was the most dominant high school player I ever saw.  He led the undefeated Continentals to a state championship against maybe the best Final 4 ever. When a Kentucky player said he wasn't that tough, Big George lit him up the next game for 56 points and 31 rebounds.

F - Larry Bird, Springs Valley 1974.  The "Hick from French Lick" grew to be "Larry Legend."  He played basketball like no one else.  His court vision, competitiveness and knowledge of the game were unsurpassed.  As an All-American at Indiana State, he took his team to the NCAA championship game.  As a pro, he nearly single-handedly turned around the Boston Celtics, restoring the team to its former glory, and a couple of NBA championships.

G - Oscar Robertson, Crispus Attucks, 1955.  The Big O was simply the best.  After winning a state championship, he led Cincinnati to the NCAA championship.  As a pro, he averaged a triple double for an entire season -- probably the most remarkable extended performance in basketball history.

G - John Wooden, Martinsville, 1928.  Long before he reinvented basketball as the greatest college coach ever, John Wooden was a remarkable basketball player.  He led Martinsville to the 1928 state championship game, where they lost to Muncie Central on a last-second half court shot at the buzzer.  He went on to be an All-American at Purdue University, but there was no NBA then.  So he went into coaching -- and into sports history.

Second team:

C - Clyde Lovellette, Terre Haute Garfield, 1949

F - Terry Dischinger, Terre Haute Garfield, 1958

F - Damon Bailey - Bedford-North Lawrence, 1994

G - Rick Mount, Lebanon, 1966

G - Steve Alford, New Castle, 1983

Honerable Mention:

"Fuzzy" Vandivier, Franklin, 1922; Bill Garrett, Shelbyville 1947;  "Jumping" Johnny Wilson, Anderson 1946;  Jimmy Rayl, Kokomo, 1959; Billy Keller, Indianapolis Washington, 1965;  Jack Moore, Muncie Central, 1978; Tom Van Arsdale & Dick Van Arsdale, Indianapolis Manual, 1961; Scott Skiles, Plymouth, 1982;  Mike Conley, Lawrence North, 2006.

Texas Bankruptcy Judge Denies Motion Because Lawyer "Is An Idiot"

Life imitated art recently, as a Texas Bankruptcy judge in denying a motion as "incomprehensible"  cited Adam Sandler's movie "Billy Madison" in a footnote.  The February 6, 2006 ruling is reported in The Smoking Gun

Judge Leif Clark titled his ruling "Order Denying Motion For Incomprehensibility."  After briefly noting the history of the case, Judge Clark stated:  "The court cannot determine the substance, if any, of Defendant's legal argument, nor can the court even ascertain the relief that Defendant is requesting." 

To add emphasis to his disdain, Judge Clark's footnote quotes the following from the movie Billy Madison:

Mr Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I've ever heard.  At o point in your rambling, incoherent response was there anything that even could be considered a rational thought.  Everyone in this room is now dummer for having listened to it.  I award you no points, and God have mercy on your soul.

Note to counsel:  don't file a motion to reconsider.