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

2025 Leadership in Law Awards

Congratulations to the ISBA members named to the Indiana Lawyer’s Leadership in Law awards:

• Tom Froehle, Lifetime Achievement Award
• Hon. Stephanie Bibbs, Distinguished Barrister
• Thomas Fisher, Distinguished Barrister
• Hon. Amy Jones, Distinguished Barrister
• Bill Kaiser, Distinguished Barrister
• Kay Ellen Pashos, Distinguished Barrister
• Hon. Marc Rothenberg, Distinguished Barrister
• Angela Stephens, Distinguished Barrister
• David Storey, Distinguished Barrister
• Ali Sylvia, Distinguished Barrister
• Lauren Aguilar, Up & Coming Lawyer
• Nick Bognanno, Up & Coming Lawyer
• Bianca Eddy, Up & Coming Lawyer
• Jaclyn Flint, Up & Coming Lawyer
• Justin Hays, Up & Coming Lawyer
• Tyler Ochs, Up & Coming Lawyer
• Joe Rhetts, Up & Coming Lawyer
• Daniel Spungen, Up & Coming Lawyer
• Amanda Wilhite, Up & Coming Lawyer
• Tammy Froelich, Legal Support Star

Learn more about the 2025 honorees »

ISBA Members Elected to Fountain County Bar Association Leadership

The Fountain County Bar Association elected Ethan D. Myers as president and Alexa M. Campbell as vice-president at their annual meeting in April. Hon. Stephanie Campbell and Kip White were re-elected as secretary and treasurer, respectively.

Ethan Myers has a general practice with offices on the south side of the Courthouse Square in Covington. Alexa Campbell is the newest member of the Fountain County Bar Association. She is an associate with the firm of Taylor, Minnette, Schneider & Clutter, P.C. 

ISBA Board of Governors Approves New Strategic Plan to Address Attorney Shortage

The ISBA Board of Governors met in April and approved a new strategic plan aimed at addressing the growing shortage of attorneys in Indiana, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

In early 2024, ISBA launched three task forces made up of attorneys, judges, legal educators, and community leaders to research potential solutions to the legal shortage. Members then provided feedback on these ideas at the 2024 Annual Summit. Based on this feedback, the board approved a plan structured around three key pillars:

1. Rural Practice and Alternative Business Models
2. Paths to Licensure and Practice Readiness
3. Allied Legal Professionals

Each pillar includes specific goals and corresponding tactics to achieve them, including an incubator cohort program, a rural practice resource hub, enhanced experiential learning opportunities, and more. Read the plan »

Sections Donate to SSFC Scholarships

Each year, ISBA sections cover registration and lodging for one or more of their members attending the Solo & Small Firm Conference. These scholarships allow members to invest in their professional growth and build a network of statewide contacts. Thank you to the following sections:

• Alternative Dispute Resolution Section
• Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Section
• Business Law Section
• Criminal Justice Section
• Elder Law Section
• Employment Law Section
• Family & Juvenile Law Section
• General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section
• Litigation Section
• Probate, Trust & Real Property Section
• Young Lawyers Section

Affiliate Committee Accepting Nominations for Cathy Canny Award

Nominations are open for the 2025 Cathy Canny Award of Excellence. This award honors an ISBA affiliate member (including paralegals, court administrators, law librarians, and legal administrators) who exemplifies courageous, visionary leadership and raises the bar of professionalism for paralegals throughout Indiana.

Nominations are due by August 1. Learn more and/or nominate »

Appellate Section Reviews Indiana Appellate Rules

The Appellate Practice Section has wrapped up over 600 hours of work in reviewing and revising the Indiana Rules of Appellate Procedure. In 2024, the section sent a survey to the bench, bar, clerks, and court reporters asking for recommendations on the appellate rules. They then compiled this feedback, reviewed the rules, and put together recommendations for proposed changes that they will submit to the Indiana Supreme Court Rules Committee.

Bankruptcy Section Partners with Local Organizations

The Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Section partnered with the Allen County Bar Association for a social with Judge Grant and the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Indiana. They have also worked with and encouraged the Indianapolis chapter of the Credit Abuse Resistance Education (CARE) program. The program and its volunteers educate young adults about the benefits of personal financial management and the consequences of credit abuse. So far, they have held 100 financial literacy presentations for high school students, with real life advice from bankruptcy attorneys, law students, and other volunteers.

Federal Judiciary Committee Presents Hurst Award

The Federal Judiciary Committee presented Michelle Imel with the 2025 Henry Hurst Judicial Assistance Award. The award honors court staff for their high ethical standards, contributions to the federal courts, and promotion of justice and efficiency within Indiana’s legal system.

Michelle, a courtroom deputy clerk for Judge Magnus-Stinson, has served the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana for nearly 30 years. “She truly cares about her job and proudly works effectively, efficiently, and selflessly,” wrote one nominator. “She has always had our backs and made us feel that we were all rowing in the same direction.”

GP Section Hosts 2025 SSFC

The General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section hosted a record-breaking Solo & Small Firm Conference in French Lick. Attendees participated in CLE sessions on AI, succession planning, ethics, and more, as well as pickleball tournaments, yoga, and a reception with all the golf legends.

At the conference, the section also presented the 2025 Hall of Fame award to Ann Marie Waldron of Waldron Tate Land LLC. This award is given to an outstanding member of the legal profession whose career has served as a model for lawyers in the general, solo, and small firm practice of law. 

LDA Class XIII Graduates

Twenty-four attorneys graduated from the Leadership Development Academy in May. Class XIII wrapped up their journey in South Bend, where they cheered on the South Bend Cubs, led the local Boys & Girls Club through a mock trial, watched an oral argument, and were sent off on the next step of their leadership journey.

Please join us in congratulating the next generation of legal leaders: Lauren Berger, Lacey Berkshire, Nick Brady, Samantha Chapman, Todd Coffeen Jr., Chelsea Crawford, Brandon Curl, Shelley Gupta, Ashley Hart, Jonathan Harwell, Mark Holwager, Matthew Kroes, Ashley Moise, Trevor Oakerson, Amy Osborne, Mag. Matthew Raper, Tim Stucky, Cortney Sweat, Grace Terrell, Daniel Timm, Megan Torres, Elizabeth Walker, Christine Walsh, and Levy Wash.

Pro Bono Committee Hosts Burmese Legal Clinic

The Pro Bono Committee, in partnership with the Burmese American Lawyers Association and the Indianapolis Chin Center, hosted a walk-in legal clinic for immigration, expungement, and more issues. Several Burmese interpreters were on site to help volunteer attorneys communicate with clients.

Additional pro bono clinics are already scheduled or in the works for the rest of the year, including two clinics focused on family law mediation and expungements. If you’d like to get involved, email Kim Latimore-Martin at klatimore-martin@inbar.org. View upcoming dates »

Senior Lawyers Section Meets with Local Bars

The Senior Lawyers Section has been meeting with local and county bar associations to promote section membership, discuss the importance of building community and preparing for retirement, and more.

The section also invites members to save the date for a CLE and Symphony on the Prairie on August 16. The CLE will cover how to assess cognitive health, recognize when it’s time for transition, and take control of your legal legacy, before dinner and a chance to watch a Beatles tribute band at Conner Prairie. Learn more »

Connection Opportunities

• The ISBA Board of Governors and local attorneys gathered at IU Maurer School of Law for drinks and appetizers.
• The Federal Judiciary Committee discussed the rules and expectations of federal judges’ courtrooms at an in-person panel.
• Over 200 members, attorneys, and judges attended the 2025 Judicial Reception.
• The Utility Law Section hosted its 2025 Spring Seminar, including CLE covering legislative updates, professional responsibility, and more.
• The Employment, Labor & Benefits Law Section spent Opening Day at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, learning about employment leave laws and navigating stress as a lawyer before watching the races.
• The Affiliate Membership Committee broke their attendance record at the 2025 Paralegal Symposium.
• The Appellate Practice Section peered into the inner workings of Indiana’s highest courts at their full-day CLE.
• Attorneys and judges celebrated at Spencer Farm Winery for the Family & Juvenile Law Section’s summer social.
• The Environmental Law Section received updates from the Office of Administrative Law Proceedings and Indiana Department of Environmental Management at their summer social.

Upcoming CLE and Socials

• Join the Agricultural Law Section for two upcoming events: a conversation with two Purdue Global Law School deans on generative AI and the law school’s operations, plus a social at the State Fairgrounds on July 31.
• The Diversity Committee is discussing the role that resilience, perseverance, and ethics play in high-pressure situations. Learn more »
• Celebrate Pride Month and learn how to better advise and advocate for your LGBTQ+ clients at the Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Committee’s virtual CLE. Learn more »
• Connect with animal law enthusiasts at the Animal Law Section’s summer social on June 22. Learn more »
• Continue your experience at the 2025 Solo & Small Firm Conference with the General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section’s Maximizing Mediation: Effective Strategies to Get the Most Out of Settlement Conferences. Learn more »
• Join the Criminal Justice and Appellate Practice Sections for a social at Victory Field on July 22. 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!

• LIFEtime Management: An Ethical Answer to Time Management. View CLE »
• Feeling Like an Imposter? View CLE »
• Business Law Section | What Trial Lawyers Wish Business Lawyers Knew about Indiana’s Commercial Courts. View CLE »
• Introducing Decisis: Your Free Legal Research Tool. View CLE »
• Family & Juvenile Law Section | GAL Guidelines Townhall. View CLE »
• Tax Section | Behind the Scenes at the Indiana Board of Tax Review: Appeals, Process, and POPLAR. View CLE »