The Paralegal Studies Program and Indiana Legal Assistants at the Woods (InLAW) will be sponsoring the annual Law Day on November 17th , beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the Conservatory on the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) campus. This day presents an exciting 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 twenty-five years, the College has invited middle and high school students and members of the general public to attend the court session held on campus. This provides an excellent way for 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 their 25th anniversary of Law Day! Sergeant William Turner with the Indiana State Excise Police (ISEP) will be the main speaker for the event beginning at 9:00 a.m.  William Turner is a sergeant with the Indiana State Excise Police.  He serves as the assistant commander of District 5 which covers twenty counties in southwest Indiana.  Sergeant Turner also serves as an instructor of emergency vehicle operations, physical tactics, field training officer operations, and new instructor development for the Indiana State Excise Police and the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.

The ISEP are the law enforcement division of the Alcohol & Tobacco Commission.  State Excise police officers are empowered by statute to enforce the laws and rules of the Alcohol & Tobacco Commission as well as the laws of the State of Indiana.  State Excise police officers investigate complaints of alleged alcoholic beverage and tobacco laws violations by businesses and individuals.  Some of these violations include sale of alcoholic beverages to minors and sale of alcoholic beverages to intoxicated patrons. Committed to their line of work, the excise police strive to provide quality service and to protect the morale and welfare of the people of the State of Indiana.

Sgt. Turner will provide an interesting presentation aimed at the students. As Vigo County ranks as one of the worst counties in the state when it comes to underage drinking, his presentation will center on the effects of mixing drugs and alcohol with the law—and the resulting consequences. This presentation was designed specifically for SMWC’s Law Day event, and they hope that attendees will find the program insightful and valuable.

At 10:30, 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 (TMJ) dysfunction which resulted in pain and suffering and permanent injuries to the plaintiff.  The claim was filed with the Department of Insurance and then 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 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 total 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 hold a question and answer session.

In addition to having 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 $5.00 per person.  Please make reservations through Kathryn L. Myers, Coordinator of Paralegal Studies, at 812-535-5235 or email at kmyers@smwc.edu.

The Paralegal Studies Program is part of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department at SMWC which offers majors in criminal justice, history/political science (pre-law), human services, paralegal studies, psychology, social science (history), and social studies education. The department also offers minors in criminal justice, history, paralegal studies, psychology, political science, and sociology.  Indiana Legal Assistants at the Woods is the student organization for people who want to know more about the law, whether through a major or as a personal interest.

The faculty members in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department at SMWC are actively involved in research, practice and advocacy, bringing real-world applications of the social sciences to the classroom. The faculty members employ innovative teaching techniques, and they provide service and experiential learning opportunities to take learning beyond the classroom. Students have opportunities to participate in original research, present findings at regional and national conferences, and gain practical experiences in the social sciences through practicum and internship experiences.

For additional information about the Paralegal Studies Program or the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, contact the SMWC Office of Admission by email at smwcadms@smwc.edu or by phone at 812-535-5106 or 1-800-926-SMWC.