The Indiana Supreme Court is continuing its campaign to help stem the mortgage crisis through pro bono representation with a training session in Indianapolis.  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 April 3rd training session is part of that campaign.  The conference is hosted by IU School of Law - Indianapolis, in cooperation with the Baker & Daniels Public Interest Law Fellowship, and in partnership with the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, Indiana Legal Services, Inc., and the Indiana Supreme Court.

The six-hour continuing legal education conference will address the latest developments in the mortgage industry and teach attorneys how to address the problems facing homeowners in crisis. 

Joanne Orr, IU School of Law-Indianapolis clinical professor and advisor for the program believes it is tremendously important that the law school join the effort to help homeowners in need.  “We have a prime location in the capital and can reach out to local attorneys.  We want to be a key part of Chief Justice Shepard’s plan to bring together the necessary public and private partners to solve this problem.”

The Indiana Supreme Court has already co-sponsored two previous training sessions.  There will be more sessions in the future as the Court continues its effort to train hundreds of 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; therefore, the Indiana Supreme Court will offer conference scholarships to private attorneys who agree to take a mortgage foreclosure case on a pro bono basis.  There is a $50 conference fee for private attorneys and a $15 fee for non-profit attorneys. 

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 bringing about a more healthy economy for the state and the nation.