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Media Contacts

Ken Turchi
Assistant Dean, Marketing and Communications
kturchi@indiana.edu
812-856-4044

Kathryn Dolan
Indiana Supreme Court Public Information Officer
kdolan@courts.state.in.us
317-234-4722

Last modified: Friday, September 10, 2010

Indiana Supreme Court to hear arguments at the Maurer School of Law Monday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 10, 2010

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The Indiana Supreme Court will hear oral arguments at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law on Monday (Sept. 13) at noon in the Moot Court Room. The arguments are open to both the public and the media, though seating is expected to be limited.

Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard described it as an opportunity for law students to see first-hand how the Supreme Court operates. "Holding an oral argument at one of our state's law schools offers the law students an up-close look at Indiana's appellate system. It is a good exercise for the students to consider the real-world case and think about how they would argue or decide it."

The five justices of the Indiana Supreme Court

The Indiana Supreme Court will hear arguments in Pfenning v. Lineman at the IU Maurer School of Law on Monday, Sept. 13. The media and public are invited to attend Monday's hearing.

The Supreme Court's five justices will hear arguments in the case of Pfenning v. Lineman, a Grant County case. Cassie Pfenning, then 16, was struck by a golf ball while driving a beverage cart on a golf course. She filed a complaint for negligence against her grandfather who invited her to the golf event, the golfer who hit the ball that struck her, the Marion Elks Country Club where the event was held, and Whitey's 31 Club Inc., which sponsored the event.

The Grant Superior Court entered summary judgment for all the defendants. The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the decision. The Supreme Court has granted a petition to transfer the case and assumed jurisdiction over the appeal.

Monday's arguments will last approximately 40 minutes, with each side having about 20 minutes to argue. The Court will take the matter under advisement and hand down a decision after considering the case.

Senior Lecturer in Law Seth Lahn, who serves as director of the law school's appellate advocacy program, said the timing of the arguments is especially beneficial to students who are about to begin the school's Sherman Minton Moot Court Competition. Students must write briefs and perform oral arguments during the course of the competition, which runs throughout the fall and spring semesters.

"That the Court is willing to make the trip down here and afford our students this opportunity says everything about how much our judges care about the training and development of young lawyers," Lahn said.

Media interested in covering the oral argument must contact Ken Turchi, the law school's assistant dean for marketing and communications, at 812-856-4044 or kturchi@indiana.edu to make arrangements. Indiana Supreme Court Public Information Officer Kathryn Dolan can be reached at 317-234-4722 or kdolan@courts.state.in.us. The IU Maurer School of Law is located at 211 S. Indiana Ave., Bloomington, Ind..

Press covering the argument must also follow the Supreme Court guidelines to covering oral arguments.

Media Policy for Indiana Supreme Court Oral Arguments

Oral arguments are open to the public, radio, television and newspaper media. Photographing and recording the arguments is permitted under certain conditions and with prior approval. To make arrangements for media coverage, contact Public Information Officer Kathryn Dolan at 317-234-4722 or kdolan@courts.state.in.us.

The Supreme Court will allow two still news photographers and two video news photographers inside the courtroom. If more than two still photographers and two video news photographers are present, the news organizations must agree to a "pool" arrangement for those news organizations that are present at the site but not allowed to bring their photographic equipment inside the courtroom.

Pool Camera

Television stations planning to take video from the pool camera are expected to bring their own recording device and video and audio cables. The Supreme Court and/or the pool station will NOT provide tape/DVD. Media serving as pool and media taking the pool feed must arrive early to confirm all equipment is working.

Still and Broadcast Photography Rules

  • Still and video photographers must use a tripod or monopod
  • Photographers must remain in place for the entire argument
  • No flash photography is allowed
  • No lighting kits may be set-up inside the courtroom