Your ISBA sections and committees are at the forefront of the profession, providing CLE and resources, planning events, and moving Indiana’s legal community forward. Find out what they’ve been up to. If you have any section and/or committee updates you would like to share, email Abigail Hopf at ahopf@inbar.org.

ISBA Members in the Wild

IBJ Media’s Indiana 250

Each year, IBJ Media lists out Indiana’s most influential and impactful leaders across business, philanthropy, the arts, government, and not-for-profits. A huge congratulations to the ISBA members who were named leaders in law:

• Hon. Sarah Evans Barker
• Brian Bosma
• John Hammond III
• Jimmie McMillian
• Kathy Osborn
• Dean Karen Bravo
• Andy Detherage
• Michael Millikan
• Hon. Loretta Rush
• Keith Bice
• Meg Christensen
• Trisha Dudlo-McCracken
• Hon. Tanya Walton Pratt
• Marisol Sanchez
• Dean Marcus Cole
• Dean Christiana Ochoa

And congratulations to the members named leaders in other sectors! View the full list of honorees »

Preparing for the Next Leadership Cycle

As October approaches, sections and committees are gearing up for the next leadership cycle. Look out for open council positions and volunteer opportunities in your groups. If you want to take on a leadership role or get more involved, email Leah Baker at lbaker@inbar.org.

And as a reminder to current section and committee leadership: Your House of Delegates reports are due on August 26 (if you have an action to present to the house) or September 20 (if you are just sharing updates). These reports are presented to the ISBA House of Delegates, the association’s legislative body. As section and committee chairs, you are ex officio members of the house and invited to attend the Annual Summit. Learn more »

Learn Which Fork to Use and Support the Next Generation of Attorneys

Over 200 Note Dame 1Ls will sit down for an etiquette dinner and networking on August 22. But this is more than your typical “Which fork do I use?” or “Where do I pass the bread?” training. Through this annual program, Indiana law students are invited to dine with practicing attorneys and legal professionals. They learn the ins and outs of networking while speaking with partners, exploring the realities of different practice areas, gaining a better understanding of Indiana’s legal profession, and even walking away with internship or mentorship opportunities.

Interested in volunteering to dine with law students? Email Rebecca Smith at rsmith@inbar.org.

Ag Law Releases Summer Newsletter

In addition to providing free virtual CLE and an in-person social at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, the Agricultural Law Section published their summer newsletter. The quarterly publication shares relevant articles and updates with section members. This issue addressed important questions like:

• Are tacos sandwiches? (Yes, according to an Indiana zoning law and an Indiana Supreme Court decision)
• How should companies handle and prepare for extended producer responsibility?
• What updates to the Ag Data Core Principles do attorneys need to know about?

The Intersection Between Bankruptcy and Intellectual Property

The Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Section is looking for intellectual property (IP) attorneys interested in speaking at an upcoming virtual CLE. The program will discuss the intersection between bankruptcy and IP—including how bankruptcy attorneys can identify IP issues in their cases, when bankruptcy counsel should confer with an IP attorney, and more. If you are interested in participating, email the section’s CLE Chair Chris Muniz at chris.muniz@insb.uscourts.gov.

Modernizing Bylaws to Improve Member Value

The Social Security Disability Law Section recently updated their bylaws in an effort to make their operations more efficient and focus more on providing member value. Proposed revisions included small changes—like updating how nominations and elections occur or stating that annual meetings can occur virtually or in person—that made a big impact for member engagement.

Well-Being Committee Sponsoring Team in Out of Darkness Walk

The Well-Being Committee’s new suicide prevention subcommittee is sponsoring a team at the Indianapolis Out of the Darkness Community Walk on September 7. The event brings together friends, family members, neighbors, and coworkers to walk side-by-side, supporting each other and in memory of those lost. Learn more and/or join »

Other Connection Activities

• The Agricultural Law Section hosted ag industry leaders, national and state figures, and attorneys at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
• The Senior Lawyers Section invited members to learn more about post-retirement life, then join attendees for dinner and Symphony on the Prairie.
• The Family & Juvenile Law Section held their summer social at Spencer Farm Winery, inviting judges and attorneys to connect outside of the courtroom.

Upcoming CLE and Socials

• The Young Lawyers Section is hosting their annual retreat at Union Pier, Michigan this weekend.
• The Criminal Justice Section is hosting a social at Victory Field. Watch a baseball game from Yuengling Landing, connect with other attorneys, and enjoy Victory Field’s Tuesday Dollar Menu. Learn more »
• Learn about Indiana’s commercial court system and how to best represent clients within it at the Litigation Section’s 2024 Litigation Symposium. Learn more »
• The General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section is putting together an all-day seminar to address the unique challenges of a solo or small firm practitioner. Learn about marketing, finance, technology, and management. Learn more »
• Connect with attorneys and judicial officers from across the state at the Women in the Law Committee’s Sisters in the Law Social. Learn more »
• Join the Environmental Law Section for a summer CLE and social. Learn about working with the Indiana Office of Administrative Law Proceedings and discuss the implications of the Supreme Court’s overturning of Chevron. Learn more »
• The Tax Section is hosting a luncheon in honor of Judge Ronald L. Buch of the United States Tax Court. Meet Hon. Buch and representatives from the IRS. Learn more »
• Network with seasoned regulatory law practitioners and hear about the latest developments in the field at the Utility Law Section’s Fall Seminar. Learn more »

Let Me Pick Your Brain: Sharing Practice-Specific CLE and Resources with Section Members

Looking for an easy way to provide value to your members? Take a page from the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section’s book. The section leveraged their members and provided value by consolidating various CLE/CME opportunities, resources, and more, and sharing them with members via their online community. Check out a sample of their post:

ADR Section Members,

I am writing to update you on some exciting CME/CLE opportunities and to highlight a unique mediation resource created by an ISBA/ADR Section member.

First, the ISBA's new and improved on-demand CLE library is now live. The enhanced system offers a streamlined approach to accessing free and discounted CLE. Access the On-Demand CLE here. So far available ADR related content includes:

• Mediation in Employment Law Cases (Robert J. Dignam, O'Neill McFadden & Willet LLP; James E. Daugherty, Law Offices of James E. Daugherty)
• Taking Your Practice to the Next Level: Advanced Negotiation Concepts and Skills for Mediators (Dr. Joshua N. Weiss, Co-Founder of Negotiation Program at Harvard University)

I also want to highlight an exciting resource, The Indiana Mediation Hub! The Mediation Hub is a resource for mediators to network, find CLE/CME, and learn about the yearly Maple Tree Mediation Retreat (just for mediators). ADR Section Member, Marsha Hackenberg, Attorney/Mediator, and Marla Hylton MSW, LCSW/Mediator, teach two accredited 40-Hour Domestic Relations Mediation trainings per year, various accredited CME follow up classes, and hold a yearly retreat for trained mediators. Registration is open for all events on IndianaMediationHub.com.

• The Maple Tree Mediation Retreat is for any Mediator who has completed a 40 Hour Domestic Relations Mediation Training. CMEs pending. All presenters are trained Mediators. Dates: August 14th & 15th (9-5pm) and 16th (9-12:30pm).
• Accredited 40 Hour Domestic Relations Mediation Training in Muncie, Indiana. Dates: September 4, 5, 6 & 12, 13, 2024.
• 'Fill the Mediation Gap' Training: This training is for Mediators who have completed the 40 Hour training and need help drafting documentation, writing contracts, marketing, setting up a mediation practice and so much more.

On-Demand CLE Added to the ISBA Library

The following CLE programs were added to ISBA’s on-demand library. Missed them in action? Check them out now—virtually and at your convenience!

• Criminal Justice Section | The Indiana Expungement Law: An Overview. View CLE »
• Agricultural Law Section | Bankruptcy and Secured Transactions Law Involving Agriculture. View CLE »
• Intellectual Property Section | Protecting Intellectual Property in the Age of AI. View CLE »
• Tax Section | “Moore” than Tax. View CLE »