Indiana’s Indefinite Suspension: No End in Sight for Andrew Straw - PART III

Andrew Straw, JD, subjected to "court abuse" in Indiana and the 7th Circuit, but not in Virginia which call Indiana's Supremes "Drive-by Shooters"

Nearly eight years after the Indiana Supreme Court imposed what was supposed to be a 180‑day suspension on Andrew U. D. Straw’s law license, his legal career remains wrongly frozen in procedural stasis. What began in February 2017 as a disciplinary measure has snowballed into a sprawling saga of denials, dismissals, and dead ends.

Recent Legal Developments:

In June 2022, Straw filed a state lawsuit alleging that his license suspension amounted to an unconstitutional taking under Indiana’s constitution, seeking $5 million in compensation. The Monroe Circuit Court dismissed the case under Trial Rule 12(B)(6), and the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed, ruling Straw could not relitigate disciplinary action in that forum—disciplinary jurisdiction belongs solely with the Indiana Supreme Court.

Straw then attempted to amend his complaint multiple times. A special judge denied his motion; appeal after appeal followed. On August 15, 2023, the Court of Appeals again affirmed dismissal with prejudice, citing res judicata and procedural refusal to allow Straw’s repeated amendments

On the federal side, the Seventh Circuit, largely a rubber stamp court but in this case lacking independence as well, upheld reciprocal discipline in the Northern District of Indiana and declined to allow Straw’s unilateral withdrawal from the bar, holding he must comply with reinstatement procedures to regain practice privileges. The Court further cautioned him of sanctions if frivolous filings continued.

Straw’s Assertions and ADA Retaliation Claims:

Straw contends his suspension was retaliation for filing disability‑based complaints internally at the Indiana Supreme Court in 2014—specifically against the court’s ADA coordinator. He points to Rule 23 § 10(h), which mandates dismissal of disciplinary complaints if no action is taken within one year—arguing that because the verified disciplinary complaint came too late, the proceeding should have ended automatically in 2016.([Hoosier Enquirer][5]) He also accuses the Indiana hearing officer of conflict of interest and bias—citing that the individual was later hired by the Seventh Circuit while his panel was still pending, effectively neutralizing independent review.

To Straw or any reasonable law student even, this hiring rendered the entire process corrupt and violated his due process rights.

Virginia State Bar’s Contrasting Verdict:

In stark contrast to Indiana, the Virginia State Bar reviewed his conduct independently and determined disciplinary action was unwarranted—calling Indiana’s process “a drive‑by shooting.”([Supreme Court][6]) Straw points to this as confirmation that what he endured in Indiana was unfair, discriminatory, and unprecedented. Where Things Stand—and What Lies Ahead Despite his repeated filings, appeals, and federal litigation, Straw remains suspended indefinitely—with no active reinstatement hearing, no explanation from Indiana’s judiciary, and no forthcoming avenue for redress.

What can happen next?

1. Motion for reinstatement under Rule 23(18): Indiana requires suspension-aligned attorneys to meet strict conditions—payment of costs, rehabilitation, bar exams or interviews—to be considered for reinstatement. Straw has reportedly not met all these conditions.

2. Discipline review hearing: In theory, he can petition the Indiana Supreme Court for a hearing before reinstatement is considered—but after eight years of silence, there's no indication of forthcoming action.

3. Legal reform or legislative scrutiny: His constitutional claims ended in defeat at the trial and appellate levels. With no other path to justice within Indiana, external advocacy or legislative reform may be the only recourse.

4.The remaining two branches of government in Indiana stop surrendering their authority to Chief Justice Loretta Rush and demand answers.

By the Numbers:

| Year | Event |

| ------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |

| 2014 | Straw files ADA complaint internally with Indiana Supreme Court |

| Feb. 2017 | SCOIN suspends Straw’s license for 180 days (no auto‑reinstatement) |

| 2021 | Straw files inverse condemnation lawsuit against State |

| June 2022 | Appeal dismissed for failure to state claim |

| August 2023 | Court of Appeals affirms denial of amendment, dismissal with prejudice |

| 2018 | 7th Cir. affirms reciprocal fed. suspensions, refusind to allow withdrawal |

Final Thoughts Straw’s saga underscores a troubling reality:

The corrupt, retalitory, Indiana attorney disciplinary mechanisms, unchecked, can become perpetual punishments, while Gov. Mike Braun does nothing. He should file Writs of Mandamus in many crooked cases against good lawyers and exercise his executive powers. The Indiana General Assembly should stop paying for the parking spaces of the court branch, and should hold oversight hearings calling lawyers who have been crying fouls for years and refusing to pay to play.

If Indiana insists that all challenges must be lodged within its disciplinary structure, yet never advances them, then due process becomes an illusion. Straw is now effectively sidelined from practice despite no federal court finding misconduct. The Virginia Bar’s contrary decision highlights that reasonable regulators can reach fairer outcomes. Until Indiana breaks its silence and either formally reinstates him or schedules a hearing, Andrew Straw will remain caught in the Indiana’s and the Seventh Circuit's legal Kafkaesque loop—a licensed attorney in name only. SEE the many related articles published by HE.

Sources:

[1]: https://www.hoosierenquirer.com/post/when-oh-when-will-indiana-end-andrew-straw-s-bizarre-law-license-suspension-a-midwest-mystery?utm_source=chatgpt.com "When, Oh When, Will Indiana End Andrew Straw's Bizarre ..."

[2]: https://law.justia.com/cases/indiana/court-of-appeals/2022/22a-pl-00766.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com "ANDREW U. D. STRAW v. State of Indiana :: 2022"

[3]: https://law.justia.com/cases/indiana/court-of-appeals/2023/23a-pl-00775.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com "ANDREW U.D. STRAW v. State of Indiana :: 2023"

[4]: https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-7th-circuit/1952551.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com "IN RE: ANDREW U. D. STRAW (2018)"

[5]: https://www.hoosierenquirer.com/post/andrew-straw-et-al-v-indiana-loretta-rush-and-g-michael-witte?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Andrew Straw, et. al V. Indiana, Loretta Rush and G. Michael Witte, et al."

[6]: https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/17/17-8005/37965/20180307105844473_00000007.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com "No. In the Supreme Court of the United States Andrew UD ..."