Empowering and Developing the Next Generation of Legal Leaders

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Jump to Section: What You'll Gain from LDA | Who Is Eligible | Applications | 2026 Dates & Locations | Tuition | Alumni & Testimonials | Support

The ISBA Leadership Development Academy (LDA) brings together 25 legal professionals for five multi-day sessions over five months across the state.

From day one, participants form strong connections through shared experiences—overnight retreats, honest conversations, and behind-the-scenes access to leaders in law, government, and business. You’ll meet Indiana Supreme Court justices, engage with legislators and executives, and connect with attorneys who become lifelong friends.

Professionals who enter the program are already on their way to being leaders, even if they don’t always see themselves that way. They are ready to take on a challenge, step forward, and contribute to their profession in a meaningful way. LDA helps them identify their unique skillset, develop a plan for how they can leave their personal impact on the world, and build a network to support them along the way.

What You'll Gain from LDA

• Leadership training: LDA helps professionals find and enhance their natural leadership styles and lead from wherever they are. Your first session is facilitated by experienced leadership professionals who guide you through your personal strengths. You’ll have the opportunity to develop and see those strengths in action throughout the remaining sessions. Plus, you’ll receive a free, one-on-one coaching session with a certified strengths coach to further develop your skills.

• Professional and personal relationships: LDA members have unique networking opportunities with leaders across the legal, corporate, and public sectors, including the Indiana Supreme Court, the Indiana Governor, and local bar associations. You’ll forge deep and honest connections with professionals who understand your challenges. After graduating, you’ll leave with a network of peers you can call on for advice and referrals—plus an active alumni community that continues to mentor and support one another. 

• Community leadership: Lawyers have unique skills that allow them to enrich their communities. LDA helps you leverage these skills to bring the most benefit, whether you are serving in an official capacity as a board member or in an unofficial capacity as a coach for your child’s baseball team.

• Knowledge of Indiana’s unique needs: By traveling across the state, LDA class members meet local leaders and hear about top-of-mind challenges. You’ll take tours and participate in activities that give you firsthand experience of Indiana’s diverse residents and issues. You'll see state challenges from a new perspective, whether that be through lunch with a legislator or by climbing into a morgue and coming face-to-nose with a camel.
  

Who Is Eligible for LDA?

The ideal LDA applicant:

• Is an ISBA member.
• Has a thorough understanding of and context for the practice of law. (Legal professionals with 5 to 15 years of practice find the program most helpful, depending on their overall practice and work experience.)
• Is ready to take on more responsibility in their practice or their community.
  
• Has demonstrated potential for becoming a professional or community leader.
  
• Wants to expand their network and meet legal professionals from across the state.
• Is interested in and perhaps already serving their community.
  
• Can travel to and attend each of the five sessions.

Applications

Applications for the Class of 2026 will be accepted until Monday, November 3. Apply for LDA » 

Applications include a series of questions, a personal narrative, an endorsement from your employer, and up to two letters of recommendation. The LDA Committee will review all applications and notify accepted class members by the end of the year.

Can't attend the program this year? If you would like to be notified when applications for the next class open, complete an interest form »

2026 Session Dates and Locations

LDA Class XIV will be traveling to the following locations in 2026. Participants must be able to attend all five sessions in their entirety.

• Session One: January 22 - 24, Fort Benjamin Harrison (Indianapolis)
• Session Two: February 18 - 19, Statehouse (Indianapolis)
• Session Three: March 26 - 27, Muscatatuck Urban Training Center (North Vernon)
• Session Four: April 23 - 24, Speedway
• Session Five: May 14 - 16, Jasper/Santa Claus

Tuition

Tuition for the entire 2026 LDA program is $1,700. Tuition includes:

• Meals (including breakfasts, lunches, and dinners) at each session
• Speaker fees
• Lodging and hotel fees
• Activity fees
• At least 12 hours of CLE

Tuition does not cover transportation to and from each session.

A limited number of half-tuition and full-tuition scholarships are available for those interested. To apply for a scholarship, fill out Section VI: Scholarships and Miscellaneous in your LDA application. All candidates are considered equally whether or not they apply for a scholarship. 

If you need more details or have any questions, contact Kristin Owens at kowens@inbar.org.

LDA Alumni

Upon being accepted in to the program, you will join a network of more than 250 legal leaders. LDA alumni are leading the ISBA and serving as judges, corporate leaders, firm managing partners, and nonprofit and private sector board members. They remain engaged with ISBA and are encouraged to network with LDA alumni outside their class. View the list of LDA alumni »

Stories from Previous Graduates 

"LDA was, without a doubt, one of the best investments I have made during my legal career, not only as an attorney but also as a person. I built a community that I did not know I needed, but that helped me heal in a time when I was learning to rely on myself, building confidence, and trying to decide my next steps. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me learn more about everyone's different backgrounds, strengths, victories, challenges, and thoughts. Just being in the room with everyone involved was enough to make us all better. Everyone's positivity, encouragement, and candor made me feel more comfortable to reach out for help and ask questions in my own career, which I had been nervous and, at times, too stubborn to ask for. In short, LDA was exactly what I needed in my life, when I needed it. It was the extra nudge I needed to help me out of my stagnant zone and push me forward with more confidence into the next steps of my life and career. I could not be more grateful for this experience, the people it brought into my life, the positivity, and the tools to move forward." ~Class 13

"This program was one of best decisions I have made to develop my leadership skills and connections in the legal community."  ~Class 13

“No other leadership program takes the time to travel around to different communities and expose the class to a bird's eye view of what is happening all around the state. The involvement of state government, the Indiana Supreme Court, and support from local and county bar associations is also unmatched. No matter your practice area, if you are licensed to practice in Indiana, you should be engaging with the Indiana State Bar Association, and this program is the pipeline for future leadership.” ~Class 12

"This program was created and is facilitated by a group of extremely kind individuals invested in planting the seeds to help Indiana's young lawyers grow professionally and personally. The program equips participants to recognize their natural strengths and how to utilize those strengths as a lawyer and community leader. It also forces participants out of their comfort zones and into situations where surprisingly deep connections are formed with other participants and established leaders in Indiana." ~Class 12

Questions?

For more information, contact Kristin Owens at kowens@inbar.org. If you would like to be notified when LDA applications open, please complete the submission form  here.

Support LDA

LDA could not exist without the unwavering support of those who have championed the program. Their contributions help provide scholarships, expert speakers, and unique experiences. If you'd like to help empower the next generation of Indiana leaders, consider donating to the program. Learn more »

If you are a firm who would like to sponsor LDA, please contact Kristin Owens, kowens@inbar.org, for more information.