INDIANAPOLIS (April 17, 2026) – From an exploration of the trial that followed the "Crime of the Century" to a look at what makes the best of the lawyerly best, the 18th Annual Court History & Continuing Legal Education Symposium promises to be an educational and entertaining afternoon. The program will take place on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, from 12:30 PM to 3:45 PM in the Sarah Evans Barker Courtroom (Courtroom 216) at the Birch Bayh Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse, 46 E. Ohio St., Indianapolis, Indiana. A Zoom link will be available to those who cannot attend in-person. The program is organized by the Historical Society of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana and sponsored by the Court. Three hours of Indiana CLE credit are approved. Registration is required. For full details, see the Press Release.
You are here
News & Announcements
Check this page, or the News and Announcements box on the homepage, for the latest official news and announcements released by the court. You can also access archived news and announcements from this page.
The United States District Court, Bankruptcy Court, and Probation Office for the Southern District of Indiana and the Marion County Bar Association are excited to celebrate Women's History Month with a special event on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 2:00 pm. The hour-long program will be held in Courtroom 307 at the Birch Bayh Federal Building and United States Courthouse, 46 East Ohio Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. One hour of Continuing Legal Education credit is pending approval. Attendees are invited to enjoy a reception following the event. Registration is required. Please see the press release for further information.
The Honorable James R. Sweeney II, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, is pleased to announce that Justin R. Olson was sworn in as United States District Judge for the Southern District of Indiana this morning. Please see the press release for more information.
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana is pleased to announce its 27th annual Black History Month event. This year's hour-long program, An Enduring Vision: 100 Years of Black History in the Southern District of Indiana, and Beyond, will be held in courtroom 202 at the Birch Bayh Federal Building and United States Courthouse on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 2:00 PM. A virtual option is available for those who cannot attend in person. One hour of Continuing Legal Education credit is pending approval. Please see the Press Release for more information.
After more than 15 years of dedicated service to the federal judiciary, United States Magistrate Judge Mark J. Dinsmore has notified Chief District Judge James R. Sweeney II of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana of his intention to retire on January 1, 2027. A Public Notice seeking applicants to fill the vacancy that will be created by Judge Dinsmore’s departure has been posted on the Southern District of Indiana’s website and can be accessed here: https://www.insd.uscourts.gov/employment-opportunities. See full Press Release linked below.
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana invites you to attend an important virtual training session for attorneys on modest means/pro bono representation of victims of domestic violence in Indiana. The session will be provided by Kerry Hyatt Bennett, Legal Counsel for the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV), on February 13, 2026, from 1:00pm – 2:30pm Eastern Time. Complete program details and registration information are available in the Press Release.
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2071, Rule 83 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rule 57 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana hereby gives public notice that the amendments to the Local Rules of this Court linked below are adopted, effective December 1, 2025.
Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2071(e), Rule 83 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rule 57 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana hereby gives public notice of the following: The United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana has determined there is an immediate need to amend Local Rule 5-11 – Filing Under Seal – Civil Cases and Local Criminal Rule 49.1-2 – Filing Under Seal. The amendments detailed in the Notice linked below are effective as of October 3, 2025.
Chief Judge James R. Sweeney II today issued a general order reflecting a nationwide change in how sealed documents may be accessed electronically. Effective immediately, only authorized court employees will have access to sealed documents in CM/ECF. Please see the full Public Announcement linked below.
Public Announcement Re: Electronic Access to Sealed Documents and Service of Sealed Documents
Effective July 11, 2025, the Honorable James R. Sweeney II assumed the role of Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. Chief Judge Sweeney succeeds the Honorable Tanya Walton Pratt, who had served as Chief Judge since March 20, 2021. Please see the Press Release for full details.