News

In the case of Pflanz v. Foster, et al., a complaint was filed seeking, among other relief, contribution for cleanup costs pursuant to Indiana's Underground Storage Tank Act, post-clean-up damages for stigma to real estate, and declaratory relief for future anticipated cleanup costs. The trial court dismissed under the theory that because the Pflanzes, who had owned the property since the mid-1980s, "knew or should have known" of the contamination on their property for over ten years, the statute of limitations barred their claim.

Effective July 1, 2008, Indiana employers will be required, to the extent reasonably possible, to provide private locations for breastfeeding employees to express milk during break periods.

The complaint alleges Veolia Water failed to read the meters of its customers at least every two months as required by law and overestimated water usage for thousands of its customers. The complaint also alleges that Veolia Water overcharged their customers for late fees as well as breached their agreement with Indianapolis Water, and committed deceptive acts including fraud.

Richard Fairchild, Shareholder, was Recently Honored for 43 Years of Dedicated Service with STEWART & IRWIN, P.C

Mary F. Schmid, President and Shareholder has been elected to the Advisory Council for St. Mary's Child Center. St. Mary's Child Center is a not-for-profit education center that is focused on helping young children who are at great risk for a wide range of social, emotional, economic and environmental problems and whose needs are not being adequately met by any other private or public service.

Jeffrey B. Halbert , Shareholder at Stewart & Irwin, p.c. has been elected Secretary of the Indianapolis Bar Association Labor and Employment Section Executive Committee.

On January 28, 2008, President Bush signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act. This is significant for employers with fifty (50) or more employees because the Act contains the first substantive amendments to the Family and Medical Leave Act ("FMLA") since its enactment in 1993. The law amends the FMLA's leave provisions to include leave for family members to care for an injured servicemember and leave due to a call to active duty.

Mary F. Schmid, President of Stewart & Irwin, P.C. was recently nominated for the Indianapolis Most Influential Women Acknowledgment hosted by the Indianapolis Business Journal.

Jeffrey B. Halbert has been named Shareholder at Stewart & Irwin, P.C. He focuses his practice in corporate and business Law and in the area of employment and labor litigation.

Christine M. Riesner has joined Stewart & Irwin, P.C. as an Associate Attorney. She practices in the areas of civil litigation, insurance defense, and family law.