About Oni Harton, Esq.
Oni Harton is an experienced estate planning and litigation attorney. She has been writing and researching for more than two decades and enjoys contributing to efforts that connect people with critical legal services. Oni contributes to Super Lawyers by creating content and verifying the legal accuracy of articles. Oni is an Indiana University School of Law graduate. She is licensed in Indiana.
Articles written by Oni Harton, Esq.
How To Add Parties Mid-Lawsuit: Joinder vs. Impleader
If you're in the middle of a legal dispute and realize that other parties need to be added to the case, there's good news. The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) have two tools for adding people or companies after a case has already started: Joinder of parties and impleader. State courts also have similar rules. Both legal mechanisms follow common-sense logic, but each comes with limits on who can be added and when. If you're weighing whether another party belongs in your case, contact an …
Understanding Habeas Corpus: How To Challenge Detention
Habeas corpus is a legal procedure that allows people whom the government has detained to challenge what they believe is an unlawful detention. A habeas petition is one of the oldest and most important protections against wrongful detention. Habeas corpus principles are relatively straightforward; people use them to challenge detention by requiring the government to justify a person's detention before a court. Dating back to the times of the Magna Carta in the Thirteenth Century, the framers of …
Who Has the Burden of Proof? Criminal vs. Civil Legal Standards Explained
The burden of proof determines which party in a legal proceeding must prove their claims and the standard of proof they must meet. The legal standard required for the case impacts everything from trial strategy and jury instructions to the outcome of the case itself. The burden of proof comes into play in both civil and criminal matters. Understanding the nuances of this issue can be challenging, and if you are involved in a legal situation, it's critically important to know how the standards …
What To Do if Your Identity Is Stolen: A Step-by-Step Legal Guide
While identity theft is serious, there are clear, actionable steps you can take to recover. This includes placing a fraud alert on your credit account, reviewing your credit reports, filing a police report, and considering whether to implement a credit freeze. You do not have to go through this process alone. If you need legal guidance with your stolen identity issue, you can use the Super Lawyers directory to find an experienced consumer law attorney to help. Warning Signs of Identity Theft …
IP at Work: Do You Own the Internal Tools You Build for Your Job?
Copyrightable work created by an employee within the scope of employment is generally owned by the employer as “work made for hire." For independent contractors, the contractor usually owns the copyright unless there is a valid written work made for hire agreement for certain types of works or a written assignment. As more employees and contractors build custom software tools to support their employers, IP ownership issues are becoming increasingly common. If you need assistance protecting …
Air Pollution Lawsuit: EPA Must Set Soot Designations
Soot pollution is one of the most serious air quality threats in the United States. In 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sought to address this issue by strengthening the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter to improve public health. When the EPA missed a legal deadline to designate areas that fail to meet the updated 2024 standard, a coalition of health, community, and environmental groups, along with a group of over a dozen states, …
Understanding the ROAD to Housing Act: Benefits, Rules, and Who Qualifies
In July 2026, after months of back-and-forth between the House and the Senate, the most comprehensive federal housing package in a generation, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (ROAD Act), became law. The ROAD Act represents a landmark housing affordability bill that includes nearly 50 individual housing measures. The new law is designed to increase housing supply, improve affordability, expand access to homeownership, strengthen housing finance, and support veterans. It contains provisions …
How To Get Licensed in a Trade: Legal Requirements Explained
The laws governing licensing in a trade, from electricians, welders, and plumbers to general contractors and everything in between, vary widely. Trade license requirements are often handled by a state, city, or county board. The specific location and trade determine legal requirements, though some general eligibility rules apply to most licensed trades. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, skilled trades are among the fastest-growing occupations in the country. Holding the proper …
Are You Legally Required To Help Someone Who Is Injured?
Under U.S. common law, a stranger generally has no legal duty to rescue or assist someone who is injured. This means that in most situations, a passerby who sees an injured person and keeps going is not automatically civilly or criminally liable. Read on to learn key exceptions and protections from liability under Good Samaritan laws. If you have questions about civil or criminal liability as it relates to helping someone who is injured, contact a local personal injury lawyer in your area. The …
Wildfire Smoke Lawsuits: Can You Get Compensation for Air Pollution Illness?
Compensation through legal action may be available if you have been affected by wildfire smoke, depending on causation, liability, and applicable law. It can turn on key factors, including who caused the fire, what harm occurred, and how quickly you act. Contact a personal injury lawyer in your area who can explain your legal options based on your situation. Health Issues Caused by Wildfire Smoke Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds of miles and affect the air quality in communities far from the …
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