Sections Sponsor Indiana Bar Foundation

Each year, ISBA sections help sponsor Indiana Bar Foundation programs and civic education projects across the state. Support can be given to general civics education opportunities or specific Indiana Bar Foundation initiatives, including We the People and Mock Trial. We the People is one of the Foundation’s largest civil programs where elementary, middle, and high school students learn the history and principles of American constitutional democracy and then compete in regional, state, and potentially national competitions doing mock congressional hearings. Mock Trial gives high school students the opportunity to learn about law, court procedures, and the judicial system culminating in a mock trial at regional, state, and national competitions. And the Foundation’s Mock Trial Diversity Initiative is an effort on behalf of the Foundation to subsidize registration fees, professional development trainings, teacher stipends, and student expenses for minority and low-income schools.

Section sponsorships of these programs are a huge support in funding and improving civic education and legal assistance for Hoosiers. So, we want to give a thank you to sections who’ve elected to sponsor the Indiana Bar Foundation recently:

• Criminal Justice Section: donated $500 to support We the People and $500 to support the Mock Trial Diversity Initiative
• Litigation Section: donated $2,500 to support the General Civic Education Fund
• Tax Section: donated $1,000 to support the General Civic Education Fund

Affiliate Membership Committee Awards Cathy Canny Award of Excellence

The Affiliate Membership Committee recognized Roberta Kickbush as the recipient of the 2022 Cathy Canny Award of Excellence. The award is given in honor of Cathy Canny, an affiliate member who was a lifetime learner, who was well-known for mentoring, and who raised the bar of professionalism for paralegals throughout Indiana. Roberta exemplifies Cathy's visionary leadership. An IRP, a senior paralegal, and an office manager at Laderer & Fischer, Roberta has been sought out as an expert in her field and as a teacher. She is often called upon by the office of the United States Trustee to teach new attorneys, trustees, and their staff; and she has helped organize and teach at several national conferences for the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees. Her drive to learn and grow has made her the "driving force for the success of her firm." Roberta was honored at a dinner and presentation in South Bend.

Appellate Section Celebrates the Appellate Community

The Appellate Practice Section provided several opportunities for the community of appellate practitioners to connect and celebrate. They sponsored a scholarship to the Appellate Judges Education Institute Summit, a program that brings together almost 400 appellate judges and attorneys to discuss emerging trends, challenges, and legal issues affecting the practice. The council wanted to honor a member who was actively involved and who would be attending the Summit for the first time. They chose to give the $2,000 scholarship to Charles Zentz of Zentz & Roberts, PC.

The section also put together a reception to honor Justice Derek R. Molter’s appointment to the Indiana Supreme Court. Justice Molter was a pivotal member of the section, previously serving as vice chair and secretary on the council, as well as a key figure in Indiana’s appellate community in general. Section members partnered with the Indianapolis Bar Association’s Appellate Section to celebrate his contributions and provide a chance for members to get to know the newest Supreme Court justice better.

Diversity Committee Awards Rabb Emison Awards

The Diversity Committee awarded the Rabb Emison Awards earlier this month. Named after past ISBA president Rabb Emison, the awards honor an individual and an organization who have demonstrated a commitment to promote diversity in the legal profession and in the membership of the ISBA. This year, the awards were presented to Shontrai Irving and Child Advocates.

Shontrai’s contributions to diversity and equality throughout the state, both in and out of the legal field, speak for themselves. From teaching over 2,000 students the importance of justice and equality, to participating in leadership across multiple bar associations and supporting nearly 60 children as a foster parent, he “is a pillar in the community” and truly represents Rabb Emison’s legacy. “The efforts of this one person are so staggering,” said a nominator, “He works day and night to help individuals of all walks of life with criminal cases pro bono. He fights for those Black and Brown youth as a juvenile public defender…He gives back so much to his community in various ways…I could go on and on with his list of contributions and impacts.”

Child Advocates is a nonprofit organization that serves children and youth statewide who have experienced abuse and neglect. They were nominated for their “Interrupting Racism for Children” program, which teaches community members and leaders to confront and stop racism in its path. “The program does a deep dive into the history of racism and how it was built into the fabric of our society,” said a nominator. “The pillars of racism are as recognizable as the golden arches once someone has attended this program…It does such a nice job of educating people without judging people.”

Also nominated for the awards were Ret. Justice Steven David, Michael Tolbert, Patricia Kinney, Shamika Mazyck, the LGBT Law Forum at Notre Dame Law School; Katz, Korin & Cunningham; Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP; and Barnes & Thornburg LLP.

Law Practice Management Launches New LPM Hub

The Law Practice Management Committee has launched a new resource center for members. The Law Practice Management Hub is an online library of timely and downloadable content related to 25 critical LPM topics. Explore thought leadership and solutions from experts (in the ISBA and across the legal profession) on topics like marketing strategies, data privacy, budgeting, hiring, and more. Download how-to guides, eBooks, white papers, and case studies whenever you need them.

View the library now >>

Or learn more about the Law Practice Management Hub >>

Tax Section Presents on PTET and Connects Both Sides of the Profession

The Tax Section presented a resolution in front of the ISBA Board of Governors and House of Delegates on a pass through entity tax being considered in the next legislative session. The legislation, if passed, would be beneficial to many small business owners in Indiana and make the state more competitive in attracting and retaining businesses of virtually all types. The House of Delegates approved the proposal, and the Tax Section will work on the legislation during the next General Assembly.

The section also brought together both tax practitioners and representatives for their State Tax Reception and CLE, held for the first time in several years. The event provides an opportunity for both sides of Indiana’s tax field to come together, get to know each other, and build stronger connections. This year, the event was headed by a panel discussion on current Indiana tax issues, followed by a reception with practitioners from the Tax Court, Department of Revenue, Attorney General’s Office, Indiana Board of Tax Review, and Department of Local Government Finance.

Women in the Law Committee—Coming Soon: The 21^st Annual Women’s Bench Bar Retreat

The Women in the Law Committee has set the date for the 21^st Annual Women’s Bench Bar Retreat. The retreat brings together women across the state (though men are also welcomed) to reconnect, deepen their professional and personal relations, and build new connections. Plenty of CLE is offered over the weekend, as well as fun and relaxing activities. This year, it’s time to “ante up” for the 21^st anniversary. The retreat will be held at Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, Indiana, on March 10-12, 2023. More information on registration will be coming soon.

The committee has also gotten into the holiday spirit by pooling donations to purchase presents for children as part of St. Mary’s Christmas Program. Each year, they sponsor a small group of children and buy clothes, books, and gifts for them to receive over the holidays. The group has been participating in the program since 2014, and through that time they have sponsored 23 children and raised just under $3,000.

Young Lawyers Section

The Young Lawyers Section held their first Dinner with the Judiciary since 2019. The event brings young attorneys into contact with justices and judges from across the state, creating a unique and profound opportunity for attorneys to talk and connect with Indiana’s judiciary over dinner and in small groups. Nearly 20 judges and justices attended, and the dinner was a huge success. Thank you to everyone who attended or provided support for the event.

On-Demand CLE Added by Sections

The following sections and/or committees added recorded CLE to the ISBA’s on-demand library. Check them out if you still need to meet your end-of-year CLE requirements!

• Animal Law Section – Protecting Your Fur Babies: Estate Planning for Pets. View recording >>
• Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Section – When Bankruptcy and Family Law Intersect. View recording >>
• Employment, Labor & Benefits Law Section – Charge and Investigation Process with the EOC. View recording >>
• Environmental Law Section – The AOPA Polka: Administrative Adjudication Before the NRC, OEA, and OALP. View recording >>