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 this month. 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

Lake County Veterans Treatment Court Selected as National Mentor Vet Court

The Lake County Veterans Treatment Court has been named one of five national mentor courts by All Rise’s Justice for Vets division and the U.S. Department of Justice. As a mentor court from 2025 to 2027, the Lake County Veterans Treatment Court helps guide and support other jurisdictions interested in establishing veterans treatment courts through site visits, shadowing opportunities, and technical assistance. Learn more »

New Mentorship Opportunity for ISBA Members

ISBA has launched Mentor City, a mentorship platform that helps members connect with mentors and mentees on their own terms. Through the platform, members can create a profile, search for legal professionals who match their interests or expertise, and build relationships through email, virtual meetings, or in-person conversations.

Meet colleagues who can provide advice on your career plan, walk you through transitioning your practice, help you start your own business, and more. This platform is free with ISBA membership. Learn more and get started »

Introducing Decisis Legal Research

Decisis, a legal research platform backed by the same parent company as LexisNexis, is now available as a free ISBA member benefit. Members can log in using their ISBA username and password to access an extensive library of state and federal case law, statutes, regulations, and more. Get started »

For more information on how to use Decisis, attend our live virtual training on Wednesday, April 23 at 12 p.m. Register »

Affiliate Committee Opens Registration for Paralegal Symposium

The Affiliate Membership Committee will host its award-winning Paralegal Symposium on May 15–16. This six-hour virtual seminar is built by paralegals, for paralegals, and includes sessions on emotional intelligence, mentorship, and allied legal professionals. Learn more and register »

CSL Releases New Issue of Construction Cites

The Construction & Surety Law Section released the Spring 2025 issue of its newsletter, Construction Cites. This edition includes case law summaries on surety bond issues, duties of subdivision developers, and more. Section members receive free access to all newsletters. Check out the Spring 2025 issue »

General Practice Section Opens Registration for 2025 SSFC 

Step onto the green and elevate your practice June 5–7 at the ISBA SSFC Masters: Where Solo and Small Firm Legends Are Made. As the largest gathering of solo and small firm attorneys in the state, the ISBA Solo & Small Firm Conference brings together top legal professionals, industry experts, and peers to help you expand your network, sharpen your strategy, and invest in your professional growth.

This year’s conference will feature keynotes by James Bell and Joel Oster, a speed networking reception, expo hall, and CLE sessions on everything from problem-solving courts to AI. Learn more and register »

Litigation Section Supports Amicus Brief

The Litigation Section is supporting a Petition to Transfer related to an Indiana Court of Appeals decision involving motions in limine and appellate review waivers. The section previously proposed amendments to Indiana Evidence Rule 103(b) in 2022, seeking to bring Indiana more in line with federal practices. These amendments ultimately died in the Indiana Supreme Court’s rule committee before reaching the justices. In supporting this appeal to the court, the section hopes that they will bring attention once more to this issue and provide an opportunity to more closely align Indiana with federal practices.

Social Security Section Announces New Slate

At its March 12 annual meeting, the Social Security Disability Law Section elected its 2025–26 officers: Eric Far (chair), Joe Wambach (vice chair), Katie Brinkmeyer (secretary), and David Ferency (treasurer).

Tax Section Takes on Law Student Initiatives

The Tax Section is leading efforts to connect law students with tax professionals. In March, the section worked with student tax law societies to set up career panels at Maurer and Notre Dame and to create a networking/trivia night at McKinney.

The section is also accepting applications for the 2025 Judge Martha Blood Wentworth Excellence in Tax Scholarship. The scholarship is a one-time, nonrenewable award given to Indiana law students who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to the study and practice of tax law. Any law student in good academic standing enrolled at an Indiana ABA-accredited law school who intends to practice tax law in Indiana is eligible. Applications are accepted until May 1. Learn more and apply »

Women in the Law Hosted 23rd Annual WBBR

The Women in the Law Committee hosted its 23rd annual Women’s Bench Bar Retreat in Plymouth. The conference brings together women attorneys and judges from across the state for a weekend of CLE and community-building. This year’s programming focused primarily on the intersection between medicine and law, including sessions on surrogacy, self-neglect, the judiciary’s response to substance use disorders, and more. 

Connection Opportunities

• The Animal Law Section hosted a spring social at Half Liter Beer & BBQ Hall.
• The Tax Section invited members of the Indiana Board of Tax Review to speak at a virtual CLE on POPLAR and the IBTR appeals process.
• GAL Oversight Committee members and the Family & Juvenile Law Section discussed the new 2025 GAL Guidelines.

Upcoming CLE and Socials

• Join the Federal Judiciary Committee and members of Indiana’s federal bench for a panel discussion on courtroom expectations on Tuesday, April 15. Learn more »
• Want to learn more about Indiana’s commercial court system? The Business Law Section is hosting a CLE and reception on April 24 where you can gain insider tips and tricks on navigating the commercial court. Learn more »
• Network with regulatory law practitioners and learn about new developments in the industry at the Utility Law Section’s Spring Seminar on May 2. Learn more »
• Explore the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, network with other practitioners, and hear from Dr. Terry Lyles—a national speaker and coach who helps professionals in high stress situations perform their best—at the Employment, Labor & Benefits Law Section’s May 13 CLE. Learn more »
• Join the Appellate Practice Section for an insider look at Indiana’s appellate courts. Learn more »
• Connect with fellow attorneys at the Family & Juvenile Law Section's social at Spencer Farm Winery. Learn 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!

• Taylor Swift Is a Genius—Even About Legal Ethics. View CLE »
• Open Conversations: Behavioral Health. View CLE »
• General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section | Automation and AI for Solo and Small Firms. View CLE »