Published: November 18, 2009 06:10 pm         

Law Day set at The Woods

ST. MARY-OF-THE-WOODS — The Paralegal Studies Program and Indiana Legal Assistants at the Woods will sponsor the annual Law Day beginning at 9 a.m. Nov. 17 in the Conservatory on the St. Mary-of-the-Woods College campus.

This day presents a great learning opportunity to students and the community of the Wabash Valley. Law Day at SMWC allows attendees the rare opportunity to watch the Indiana Appellate Court at work.

Each year, three appellate judges travel to SMWC’s campus to hear oral arguments on a case before the court. For 25 years, middle and high school students and members of the public have been able attend the court session on campus. This allows people to learn about the court system while promoting a positive learning environment in a post-secondary educational setting.

This year will be especially eventful as SMWC’s InLaw gears up for its 25th anniversary of Law Day.

Sgt. William Turner of the Indiana State Excise Police is the main speaker for the event. Turner serves as the assistant commander of District 5, which covers 20 counties in southwest Indiana. Turner also serves as an instructor of emergency vehicle operations, physical tactics, field training officer operations and new instructor development for the Excise Police and the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.

Turner’s presentation, which kicks off the day’s events, is geared to students and will center on the effects of mixing drugs and alcohol with the law — and the resulting consequences. This presentation was designed specifically for the Law Day event.

At 10:30 a.m., the Indiana Court of Appeals will hear the oral argument of Williams v. Adelsperger, an appeal from the Marion County Superior Court. This case is based on a medical malpractice action against a dentist for the negligent treatment of the plaintiff. The plaintiff claims that the dentist failed to diagnose temporomandibular joint dysfunction, resulting in pain and suffering and permanent injuries to the plaintiff. The claim was filed with the Department of Insurance, and was heard by a Medical Review Panel, which unanimously reached a conclusion for the defendant. The plaintiffs filed a Complaint for Damages and the Marion County Superior Court granted the defendant a Summary Judgment. The plaintiff then appealed to the Indiana Court of Appeals. It is this appeal that the Court will hear.

Neal Eggeson Jr., of Eggeson Appellate Services in Indianapolis will argue for the plaintiffs/appellants. John McCrum and Mallory Reider Inselberg of Eichhorn Eichhorn in Indianapolis will argue for the defendant/appellee. Each side will have 30 minutes to present its case to the court.

Judge Mark Bailey, Judge Melissa Mattingly May, and Judge Nancy Vaidik will hear this appeal. After the oral argument, the court and others participating in the day will conduct a question and answer session.

In addition to making information available for admission and/or transfer to SMWC, graduate programs and law schools will have information available for attendees. Attendees are welcome to eat lunch in Providence Center at a cost of $5 per person. Make reservations through Kathryn L. Myers, coordinator of Paralegal Studies, at (812) 535-5235 or e-mail at kmyers@smwc.edu.