The Indiana Supreme Court is continuing its campaign to help stem the mortgage crisis through pro bono representation with a training session in Lake County.  In January, Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard announced a plan to train more judges, mediators and lawyers than any other state on how to deal with foreclosure cases.  The March 18th training session is part of that campaign.  The session is co-sponsored by the Lake County Bar Association and the Indiana Supreme Court. 

The one-hour continuing legal education session will be presented by Indiana Legal Services attorney Stephanie Shappell Katich.  She leads the group’s Foreclosure Defense Program in Northwest Indiana.  Seating is limited to 45 participants and there is a $25 fee.  The fee will be waived for members of the Lake County Bar Association Family Law Section.  The Indiana Supreme Court will reimburse the $25 fee for any private attorney who agrees to take a mortgage foreclosure case on a pro bono basis. 

The March 18th session is just one of many sessions that will be held over the next few months as the Indiana Supreme Court continues its effort to train 700 legal professionals on how to best help families in jeopardy of losing their homes.  The outreach includes an effort to provide free legal help to homeowners in need of assistance.  The first training session, held on March 6th in Indianapolis, included 100 attendees.  Indiana Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman is leading the statewide effort to ward off the housing meltdown through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.  Chief Justice Shepard has pledged the support of the judicial branch. 

Indiana trial courts have seen about a 50% increase in the number of foreclosure cases filed in the past five years.  The Indiana Supreme Court is dedicated to helping courts across the state deal with the influx of foreclosure cases.  Sorting out which of those cases are eligible for loan modification and those where that is not possible takes knowledge, skill, commitment and compassion.  By actively participating in solving the foreclosure crisis, the Court hopes to play a role in bring about a more healthy economy for the state and the nation.