The Court of Appeals of Indiana will hear oral argument in Thomas P. Donovan v. Grand Victoria Casino & Resort, L.P. on Wednesday, October 14th at 1:30 p.m. in the Hoosier Room East of Indiana University Southeast.  A panel of Judge Edward W. Najam, Judge James S. Kirsch, and Judge L. Mark Bailey will hear the case on appeal from Marion Superior Court.

The case involves Thomas Donovan’s lawsuit against Grand Victoria Casino & Resort after being excluded from the casino because he was “counting cards” at blackjack. The trial court granted the casino’s motion for summary judgment.  On appeal, Donovan argues that Indiana law requires the casino to permit him to play blackjack there.  Grand Victoria disagrees and asserts that, as a privately owned entity, it is free to exclude any patron.  Arguing for the appellant, Thomas P. Donovan, will be Marc Sedwick, and arguing for the appellee, Grand Victoria Casino & Resort, L.P., will be Patrick Schomaker.

The Court hears oral argument at venues across the state to enable Hoosiers to learn about the judicial branch, and members of the audience are invited to ask questions following the submission of the case about the judicial process in Indiana.  The Court has heard more than 250 oral arguments “on the road” at law schools, colleges, high schools, and county courthouses since its centennial in 2000-2001. 

The Court of Appeals of Indiana is the state’s second-highest court.  It reviews appeals from trial court decisions; a decision of the Court of Appeals of Indiana is final unless granted further review by the Indiana Supreme Court.  The majority of appeals filed in Indiana are decided by the Court of Appeals.