President-Elect Michael E. Tolbert, Gary, is co-owner of the law firm of Tolbert & Tolbert, which is located in Gary, Ind. He received his B.A. from Valparaiso University in 1997 and his J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law, cum laude, in 2000. Michael worked at the law firm Hoeppner Wagner & Evans from 2000-15. During the summer in college, he worked as a cook at Bob Evans, and his first job during high school was at McDonald’s.

Michael is a member of the Lake County (past president), Kimbrough (past president) and Indiana State (past chair, House of Delegates) bar associations and the American Legal Institute. Michael and his wife, attorney Shelice R. Tolbert, manage the employment ministry at their church, Embassies of Christ in Gary. Michael also serves on the Northwest Indiana Scholarship Committee for the United Negro College Fund and is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, serving the Gary community in a variety of ways. Michael was born in Gary in 1975.

Professional enjoyment: the ability to have a direct impact on the life of someone by helping him or her solve a problem

Your inspiration: I was a Matlock and Perry Mason junkie as a kid. I didn’t have any lawyers in my family, and I was not in an environment where I was directly exposed to the legal profession. So my point of reference and inspiration came mostly from television. Watching Johnnie Cochran in the O.J. Simpson case did it for me. I remember watching the trial and saying, “That’s what I want to do!” The lawyering by Cochran was masterful and made me want to try cases.

Why bar association involvement: Bar involvement provides the opportunity to work with the best and brightest to make our profession better. With the changing landscape of our profession and the need to reinvent how we deliver our services, bar association involvement is more important than ever.

If not a lawyer: I’d probably say law enforcement. I love business ownership as well, so I would likely own something.

Fav hobbies: I love to read. I am also really into fitness. I work out every day.

Fav book or author and current reading: My favorite book is probably Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.

Fav vacation spot: Anywhere warm … where cell phone service is sketchy and requires an “international plan.”

Fav food or restaurant: My favorite food is pizza from Lou Malnati’s.

Top of my bucket list: a one-year trip with my wife, Shelice, around the world. Each day a new adventure. Each day a new memory.