Your ISBA sections and committees are 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

IBJ Media’s Indiana 250

IBJ Media named several ISBA members in their 2025 Indiana 250, a list recognizing the state’s most influential and impactful leaders across several fields. Congratulations to the following members listed as leaders in law:

• Keith Bice
• Karen E. Bravo
• Anthony (Scott) Chinn
• G. Marcus Cole
• Andrew Detherage
• Kate Erdel
• Brian Garrison
• John R. Hammon III
• Jimmie McMillian
• Michael Millikan
• Christiana Ochoa
• Hon. Tanya Walton Pratt
• Dawn Rosemond
• Chief Justice Loretta Rush
• Marisol Sanchez
• Laura Scott
• Victor Smith
• Thomas Wheeler

View all 250 honorees »

Jessie Cook Honored with District Court Proclamation

In May, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana issued a proclamation honoring Jessie Cook for the legacy she leaves behind in Indiana’s legal community: “It is hereby adjudged, decreed and declared that the District Judges of the Southern District of Indiana express gratitude and high respect for Attorney Jessie A. Cook's contributions, diligence, wise counsel, collegiality, and good humor and extend deep and sincere condolences to her beloved husband, colleagues, family, and friends.”

Jessie, a well-loved member of the ISBA Criminal Justice Section, passed away on March 17. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, August 23 at 2:00 in Bloomington. Learn more about her legacy »

Attend the 2025 Annual Meeting

The ISBA Annual Meeting on October 9-10 is your chance to reconnect with peers, gain leadership tools, and discuss current and future challenges in the legal profession. Identify your communication style; challenge the mindsets limiting your professional and personal growth; pick up new tips on client management, business marketing, and hiring and retaining employees; and more.

This year, programming will also include career-diverse discussion groups, where you can hear different perspectives, gain insight into how others navigate challenges, and walk away with ideas you can apply in your own practice. Plus, we’ll celebrate ISBA’s outgoing leaders and recognize the new board. Learn more and register »

Want to participate in decisions that impact the entire association? Learn more about becoming an HOD delegate »

Appellate Section Continues Pro Bono Program

The Appellate Practice Section has put together a pro bono appeals program in partnership with Indiana Legal Services and other pro bono providers. The program consists of two components: (1) direct representation of clients by volunteer appellate lawyers, and (2) a virtual pro se clinic, where volunteers help clients work through and file appellate procedures. If you’re interested in learning more, email Amber Ellington at aellington@inbar.org. 

Bankruptcy Section Files Amicus Brief

The Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Section voted to file an amicus brief supporting certiorari in Bush v. United States, 2025 U.S. App. LEXIS 10508 (7th Cir. 2025). The section received approval by both the ISBA Amicus Committee and Board of Governors.

The case discusses whether a bankruptcy court can determine the amount of a debtor's tax obligations under 11 U.S.C. § 505 when the debtor is unlikely to pay, considering the related-to jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1334. The section’s participation was requested by the attorney representing the Bush family, who live in Indiana. They intend to approach the matter neutrally, only urging that certiorari should be granted to resolve a split in circuits.

Business Law Releases Section Survey

The Business Law Section created and launched a survey to better tailor its offerings to members. The survey included questions like:

• What are the top 1-3 challenges you’re currently facing in your practice?
• What information would you like the section to provide as part of your membership?
• How do you prefer to receive information from the section?
• And more

Results will inform the council’s future planning.

Courthouse Art Committee Unveils Full Collection

After 18 years, the Courthouse Art Committee presented its completed collection of 92 original artworks at the Indiana Landmarks’ Rapp Family Gallery. The committee, chaired and founded by then-ISBA President Doug Church, started collecting artwork in 2007 with the goal of finding an original piece for each of Indiana’s county courthouses. Pieces were collected through commissions, contests, donations, and partnerships with local bar associations.

The final collection includes artwork of all mediums—oils, watercolors, pen and ink drawings, even a woodcut and needlepoint—from a variety of professional Indiana artists, volunteers, and hobbyists. Learn more about the collection »

The collection will remain on display until September 26. View exhibit hours and watch a recording of the opening night program »

Pro Bono Committee Wins 2025 Harrison Tweed Award

The Pro Bono Committee received the American Bar Association’s 2025 Harrison Tweed Award at the ABA Annual Meeting. The award was created in 1956 to recognize the achievements of state and local bar associations that develop projects that increase access to civil legal services for indigent communities. The committee was recognized for its Walk-In Legal Clinic Series, which served more than 250 clients between April 2024 and March 2025.

“I’m incredibly proud of ISBA’s Pro Bono Committee and the volunteers who made this work possible,” said ISBA President Mike Jasaitis. “The Harrison Tweed Award is more than a recognition. It’s a reflection of our commitment to showing up for Hoosiers who need help navigating the legal system. These clinics were built on trust, partnership, and a belief that justice should be accessible to everyone, no matter their background or income. It’s been inspiring to see lawyers from across the state step forward to serve their communities in such a meaningful way.”

Learn more about the committee’s work »

SSDI Releases New Value Proposition

The Social Security Disability Law Section adopted a new value proposition:

Fostering valuable professional relationships between disability advocates within Indiana and developing relationships with and resources for local social security components to drive favorable outcomes for disabled Hoosiers.

Efforts are now underway, using this value statement, to revamp the section’s online library and plan future CLE and social events.

Tax Awards Three Student Scholarships

The Tax Section awarded its 2025 Judge Martha Blood Wentworth Excellence in Tax Scholarship to Joy Atadoga, Joshua Brandle, and Bryce Hull. The scholarship provides funding to current law students in an effort to encourage them to practice tax law in Indiana and to become active members of the section. 

Joy is in her final year of an LL.M program at Maurer; she previously completed her undergraduate law degree in Nigeria at Afe Babalola University before continuing her education in Indiana. Joshua is a 2L in the JD/MPA dual-degree program at McKinney, where he founded the McKinney Tax Law Society. Bryce is a 2L in the JD program at McKinney currently ranking first in his class.

The section also recognized two honorable mentions and used the opportunity to connect them further with tax law practitioners. “We want to recognize your achievements and encourage your continued involvement with the Tax Section,” wrote the chair in a personal email to the two students. “As part of this honorable mention, we are delighted to invite you to attend upcoming Tax Section events free of charge over the next year. We hope this provides valuable opportunities to connect, learn, and contribute to our community of tax professionals.”

Well-Being Committee Partners with ABA on National Survey

The Well-Being Committee partnered with the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs, inviting ISBA members to participate in a nationwide anonymous survey. The survey aims to provide insights into current trends, attitudes, and barriers to mental health and well-being in law by assessing risk factors, work culture, and more. Results will be published in 2026. Learn more about the survey »

Connection Opportunities

• The Animal Law Section held a summer social at Upland Brewing in June.
• Attorneys preparing for the Trust & Estate Specialty Board certification attended a two-day training. (Interested in watching recordings of the CLE? Check out the on-demand CLE library »)
• The Criminal Justice and Appellate Practice Sections partnered on a social at Victory Field.
• The Agricultural Law Section held a networking and social event at The Taproom on the Indiana State Fairgrounds. 

Upcoming CLEs and Events

• The Agricultural Law Section will discuss the legal and regulatory landscape of gene editing at their August 12 virtual CLE. Learn more »
• Join the Senior Lawyers Section for a CLE on retirement planning and an evening at Symphony on the Prairie on August 16. Learn more »
• The Tax and Probate, Trust & Real Property Sections are co-hosting a virtual CLE focused on tax issues in trust and estate administration on August 21. Learn more »
• Learn more about merchant cash advances with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana at the Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Section’s August 22 breakfast briefing. Learn more »
• The Young Lawyers Section will host a Back 9 Golf Social on September 6, for any attorney practicing 10 years or less. Learn more »
• Save the date for the Utility Law Section’s Fall Seminar on October 30-31 in French Lick and Holiday Party on December 4 in Indianapolis.

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!

• The Attorney's Guide to Setting Boundaries and Achieving Work-Life Balance. View CLE »
• General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section | Maximizing Mediation: Effective Strategies to Get the Most Out of Settlement Conferences. View CLE »
• Open Conversations: Justice Through Time. View CLE »
• Mock Client Intake: Would You Take This Case? View CLE »
• Foolproof Gen AI for Indiana Lawyers: Outthink the Machine, Outpace the Future. View CLE »
• Resilience in the Face of Adversity: How and Why We Persevere. View CLE »
• Agricultural Law Section | The Impact of Generative AI on Law & Law Practice and An Update on the Purdue Global Law School. View CLE »
• eDiscovery 101: A Legal Primer for Modern Litigation. View CLE »