ISBA Members in the Wild

Sundeep Singh Represents ISBA as Mock Trial Championship Judge

Each year, the Indiana Bar Foundation selects six judges to preside over the championship round of its statewide mock trial competition. These positions are typically reserved for key partners, supporters, and high-profile legal professionals from across the state.

The ISBA was proud to nominate Sundeep Singh as its representative. Sunny is the current chair of the General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section, a graduate of LDA Class 12, and an attorney at RileyCate, LLC.

Governor Braun Appoints ISBA Members to Courts and Commissions

Governor Mike Braun appointed three ISBA members to serve on local courts and state commissions:

• Hon. Elliott McKinnis, West Lafayette City Court
• Heather Delgado, Judicial Nominating Commission for the Superior Court of Lake County
• Richard Nussbaum, State Employee Appeals Commission

Introducing ISBA’s Newest Staff Liaison

In February, the ISBA welcomed Jennifer Burnett as Section & Committee Manager. Jennifer previously worked with the IU School of Dentistry and IU School of Medicine as Assistant Director of their Pathway & Inclusive Excellence Programs. She received her B.S. in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University and brings experience in higher education, nonprofit leadership, and volunteer support. 

Jennifer will support ISBA’s sections and committees, taking over several groups previously supported by Leah Baker (now Director of Membership), including:

• Agricultural Law Section
• Animal Law Section
• Criminal Justice Section
• Diversity Committee
• Elder Law Section
• Family & Juvenile Law Section
• Health Law Section
• Latino Affairs Committee
• Legal Ethics Committee
• Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee
• Probate, Trust & Real Property Section
• Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Committee
• Social Security Disability Law Section
• Women in the Law Committee

Jennifer can be reached at jburnett@inbar.org.

Sections Support Etiquette Dinners and SSFC Scholarships

ISBA’s etiquette dinner series, hosted in partnership with each Indiana law school, gives students the opportunity to learn important networking and etiquette skills. Students receive hands-on guidance (from the proper way to eat soup to how to manage authentic conversations in a professional environment) while connecting with practicing attorneys who can give career advice. “I learned the importance of being open to opportunities. You never really know what door could open for you,” noted one student at the McKinney Etiquette Dinner this spring. “I really enjoyed going through the experience with attorneys to make it feel more comfortable.”

In addition, several sections offered scholarships covering registration and lodging for the Solo & Small Firm Conference. “Receiving the scholarship to attend the 2025 Solo and Small Firm Conference was an incredible opportunity,” wrote one recipient last year. “The knowledge I gained from the various sessions and presentations will be invaluable in refining my firm's strategies and operations. I'm confident that the connections I made will help me advance my practice and ultimately allow me to provide an even better work product for my clients.”

Thank you to section sponsors:

Affiliate Committee Opens Registration for 2026 Paralegal Symposium

The Affiliate Membership Committee had opened registration for its award-winning Paralegal Symposium. This two-day virtual program is designed by paralegals, for paralegals, and covers the practical skills and legal trends impacting Indiana’s legal support staff.

This year’s program includes presentations on paralegal specialization and business ownership, allied legal professionals, boundary setting, and more. Register by May 5. Learn more »

Construction & Surety Law Section Releases Spring Newsletter

The Construction & Surety Law Section released the spring edition of Construction Cites, its biannual newsletter summarizing recent developments and trends in Indiana law. The issue highlighted key case-law updates in 2025, including developments in the scope and priority of mechanic’s liens, enforceability of arbitration provisions, and the applicability of waiver of subrogation provisions. Download the newsletter »

Diversity Committee Partnering with Indy Pride, Seeking Volunteers

The Diversity Committee is exploring volunteer opportunities with Indy Pride this summer, including participation in the Pride parade alongside other legal organizations. More details to come.

The committee is also still seeking volunteers for targeted, one-off projects. Participants do not need to be members of the committee, nor do they need to become members. There is a broad array of projects meeting different interests, availability, and time requirements. If you have any questions, email Jennifer Burnett at jburnett@inbar.org. Learn more and volunteer »

Elder Law Section Hosting Wills Clinic

The Elder Law Section is partnering with the ISBA Pro Bono Committee and Pro Bono Indiana to host a Wills Clinic on Saturday, April 25. The clinic will take place during the regularly scheduled One More Non-Profit Walk-In Clinic.

Pro Bono Indiana will screen all applicants to ensure they meet income and eligibility guidelines. On site, volunteer attorneys will then assist eligible participants with wills, powers of attorney, standby guardianship appointments, and health care designations. If you are interested in volunteering, email Kim Latimore-Martin at klatimore-martin@inbar.org.

Family Law Accepting Nominations for Gale M. Phelps Award

The Family & Juvenile Law Section is accepting nominations for the 2026 Gale M. Phelps Award. Named in honor of former section chair Gale Phelps, the award recognizes attorneys who have contributed substantially to family law practice and who work diligently to elevate the standards of professionalism in family law.

Nominations are due April 24. Learn more and/or nominate a colleague »

Registration Now Open for 2026 Solo & Small Firm Conference

Registration is now open for the 2026 Solo & Small Firm Conference. This year, the General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section is “Off to the Races,” providing the training, tools, and connections solo practitioners and small firm lawyers need to succeed—Derby style.

This year’s conference will include sessions on Guantanamo Bay, legal ethics, client communication, and a “60 Tips in 60 Minutes: Judges Edition,” along with an Appeals on Wheels oral argument, networking opportunities, wellness activities, and multiple hours of CLE. Learn more and register »

Pro Bono Committee Partners with Chin Center

The Pro Bono Committee is partnering with the Chin Community of Indiana to host free legal clinics on July 25 and October 17 on Indianapolis’s south side. Attorneys will provide guidance on immigration, expungement, landlord-tenant matters, and more. Burmese interpreters will be on site to assist. If you are interested in volunteering, email Kim Latimore-Martin at klatimore-martin@inbar.org.

View the committee’s 2026 clinic schedule »

Tax Section Accepting Applications for Student Scholarship

The Tax Section is accepting applications for the 2026 Judge Martha Blood Wentworth Excellence in Tax Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes law students demonstrating academic excellence and a commitment to the study and practice of tax law in Indiana. Applications are due May 1. Learn more and/or encourage students to apply »

The section has also expanded its outreach to law students through targeted programming at each Indiana law school:

• McKinney: In March, the section organized a Trivia Night with the Tax Law Society. In April, Judge McAdam of the Indiana Tax Court hosted a Tax Oral Argument for several student organizations (with section members in attendance).
• Maurer: Section members will provide a career panel and roundtable networking experience for students, with the goal of facilitating one-on-one connections between students and practicing tax attorneys.
• Notre Dame: Members will participate in a hybrid panel highlighting the different disciplines available to students.

Connection Opportunities

• The Women in the Law Committee hosted its 2025 Women’s Bench Bar Retreat in Savannah this March. Attendees spent the week building connections, exploring Savannah, and participating in CLE programs, including a mock oral argument based on the Salem Witch Trials.
• The LDA Committee and Class 14 wrapped up Sessions Two and Three of their 2026 Leadership Development Program, exploring the Statehouse at the height of legislative session then heading down to Muscatatuck Urban Training Center to put their leadership (and paintball) skills to the test.

Upcoming CLEs and Events

• The Federal Judiciary Committee will host a CLE panel with Judges Brookman, Olsen, Dinsmore, Teel, and Ahler on the best practices for litigating in federal court. Learn more »
• Help the ISBA celebrate members of Indiana’s judiciary on April 14, including the Indiana Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Federal Bench. Learn more »
• The ISBA and Marion County Bar Association are partnering on a Law-Day inspired program examining foundational rule-of-law principles through two substantive sessions. Join us on April 22 in Indianapolis. Learn more »
• Join the Utility Law Section in Indianapolis for their annual Spring Seminar. Learn more »
• Dive into the stats and trends of Indiana’s appellate court docket in 2025, then participate in small-group discussions with judges from the Indiana Court of Appeals and Supreme Court at the Appellate Practice Section’s Evening with the Appellate Judges. Learn more »
• Get an insider’s look at what works and what doesn’t in Bankruptcy Court at the Bankruptcy Section’s summer CLE. 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!

• Litigation Section | Navigating Civil Practice in Indiana and Federal Courts. View CLE »
• General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section | Leveraging the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA) in Divorce Settlement Negotiations. View CLE »
• Open Conversations: How to Have an Open Conversation. View CLE »
• Taxes & Divorce CLE Bundle. View CLE »
• The 6 Financial Reports Every Law Firm Should be Using in 2026. View CLE »

ISBA Members in the Wild

Roger Coffin Featured in Indiana Lawyer

Thirty-one years ago, The Indiana Lawyer featured Roger Coffin as a “lawyer by day, blues band leader by night.” In their December 2025 issue, they check back in with Coffin, reviewing his 51-year career as an elder law attorney; his alternate persona as Lance Camaron, blues extraordinaire; and more. Read the article »

ISBA Members Attend College Football National Championship

In January, IU wrapped up their perfect season with a national championship victory. Several ISBA members attended the game in Miami or hosted watch parties across the state to cheer on the Hoosiers. Check out their photos below.

ISBA Board Releases New Statement on Rule of Law, Updates Diversity Statement

The ISBA Board of Governors adopted a formal statement reaffirming the association’s commitment to the Rule of Law, Attorney Independence, and Judicial Independence. The ISBA has been closely monitoring developments affecting these areas, and the statement follows many member requests for more clarification on ISBA’s position and role in these conversations. Read the statement »

To continue educating Indiana attorneys about the practical implications of the Rule of Law and professional independence, ISBA and the Marion County Bar Association will co-host a Law-Day inspired program on April 22 in Indianapolis. Learn more and register »

The Board of Governors also updated ISBA’s Diversity Statement, reinforcing ISBA’s existing mission. Changes were made based on feedback from the Executive and Diversity Committees. Here is the revised statement:

The Indiana State Bar Association is made up of and serves people from all backgrounds. Accordingly, the ISBA integrates diverse perspectives into all aspects of its activities to in turn affect the fabric of the legal profession of this state. The ISBA strives to build a diverse pipeline to the legal profession and to inform the broader legal community about the importance of representation, inclusive practices, and equitable access to opportunities and legal services. The ISBA does not in any way discriminate based on race, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, military service, or any other legally protected characteristic. Further, the ISBA takes proactive steps to promote access to the legal profession, to remove barriers to same, and to eliminate biases to ensure people from all backgrounds are included in every level of the organization. This commitment is not only essential to the pursuit of our mission “to improve the administration of justice and promote public understanding of the legal system,” but it also strengthens our ability to address the professional needs of our members and the communities they serve.

Applications Now Open for ISBA’s Rural Practice Academy

As part of ISBA’s work to address Indiana’s attorney shortage, the association launched the Rural Practice Academy (RPA), an incubator-style cohort program designed to equip lawyers with the tools to build sustainable practices in rural and underserved communities.

This yearlong program provides practical training, mentorship, statewide connections, and business development resources. The inaugural class will run from July 2026 to June 2027. Any interested attorney is encouraged to apply. Applications are due March 13. Learn more and apply »

ISBA also recently released the Rural Practice Resource Hub, featuring tools and guidance on starting, managing, and growing a rural practice. Access the hub »

Appellate Section Submits Proposed Amendments

The Appellate Practice Section submitted proposed changes for the Indiana Rules of Appellate Procedure to the Indiana Supreme Court Rules Committee. This marks the culmination of more than 600 hours of work, including the release of a statewide survey; feedback from judges, practitioners, clerks, and court reporters; and hours of drafting recommendations.

Criminal Justice Section Awards Jessie A. Cook Scholarship

The Criminal Justice Section awarded the inaugural Jessie A. Cook Scholarship to Amy Commean, a criminal defense attorney in La Porte.

The scholarship, established in honor of Jessie Cook, provides up to $1,000 in reimbursement for professional development. Amy will use the funds for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Conference, to attend trainings on sexual assault cases, implicit biases, and establishing rapport with clients. “Having the most advanced training on the most current issues and topics facing our clients is incredibly helpful to both current and future clients,” Amy noted. “And it is information that can be shared across the criminal defense bar.”

Diversity Committee Seeking Volunteers

The Diversity Committee is seeking volunteers for targeted, one-off projects that help meet the committee’s goals. Participants do not need to be members of the committee, nor do they need to become members. There is a broad array of projects meeting different interests, availability, and time requirements. Current opportunities include:

• Helping host a one-day middle school law camp
• Visiting a local school to speak with students about practicing law
• Mentoring ICLEO graduates
• Planning potential CLEs and educational topics
• And more

Pick a project and time requirement that meets your goals and interests. Learn more and volunteer »

If you have any questions or want more information, contact Leah Baker, liaison to the committee, at lbaker@inbar.org.

GPSSF Section Seeking Hall of Fame Nominations

The General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section is accepting nominations for the 2026 Solo & Small Firm Hall of Fame Award. The award recognizes a member of the legal profession who is an outstanding model for lawyers in the solo or small firm practice of law. Nominations are due March 12. Learn more and/or nominate a colleague »

IndianaDocs Committee Looking for Reviewers

The IndianaDocs Committee is responsible for creating, reviewing, and keeping current all practice-related forms in the IndianaDocs library (a collection of more than 200 templates covering multiple practice areas). They are looking for attorneys—especially family law practitioners—to review these forms and suggest updates. If you are interested, reach out to Committee Co-Chair Bob Hartley at rhartley2152@gmail.com.

Pro Bono Committee Clears Indiana Legal Answers Queue

During the 2026 Talk to a Lawyer event, the Pro Bono Committee and volunteers across the state answered more than 85 Hoosier questions on Indiana Legal Answers, completely clearing the queue. Thank you to all the attorneys who volunteered their time and expertise to make this possible.

Women in the Law Committee Donates to Christmas Program

The Women in the Law Committee donated 32 games and puzzles to the St. Mary’s Christmas Program. St. Mary’s is a nonprofit agency offering a preschool for low-income students and providing training to teachers. Donations support preschoolers and their siblings during the holiday season.

Upcoming CLEs and Events

• Get ready for the 2026 Solo & Small Firm Conference by attending the General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section’s virtual CLE on the One Big Beautiful Act’s changes to divorce settlements and negotiations. Learn more »
• Join the Litigation Section and ISBA President John Maley for practical insights and behind-the-scenes perspectives on litigating in both Indiana state and federal courts. Learn more »
• Save the date for the Utility Law Section’s annual Spring Seminar on April 23 in Indianapolis. Registration will be available soon.

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!

• Legal Ethics Committee | Upholding Ethics: Recognizing and Helping Impaired Lawyers, Issues When Lawyers Change Jobs, and Promoting Civility. View CLE »
• Animal Law Section | Dogs are People Too: A Morning of Film and Discussion. View CLE »
• Bankruptcy and Construction Sections | The Nexus of Bankruptcy and Construction. View CLE »
• Litigation Section | Negotiation, Mediation, and Conflict. View CLE »
• Litigation Section | Unfiltered Insights from Experienced Judges. View CLE »
• Because Life Happens: Understanding Indiana’s Attorney Surrogacy Rule. View CLE »
• Blowing the Whistle: At Work and Online. View CLE »

“Carissa has led the way in transforming how ISBA determines and delivers member value. Her work has led to, or influenced, much of what we do today.” —ISBA Executive Director Joe Skeel

Her work has also been nationally recognized, receiving the Excellence in Marketing and Public Relations Luminary Awards by the National Association of Bar Executives. “Carissa’s work is some of the best PR I have seen,” wrote an anonymous judge for one award. “The quality of the communication and design, the honing of the message, and an excellent and diverse collection of supporting materials is all spot-on. Carissa’s efforts are a great example of a thoroughly researched and developed idea that is well implemented, and it should be used as an example to others.” 

But most members will know Carissa as the thoughtful, strategic, and kind voice on the other end of the phone, answering questions at any time of day, supporting members with their projects, and bringing a constant, steadfast presence to the ISBA.

"It’s been an honor to work for ISBA, but even more so to work in service of this profession," Carissa says. "I’ve had the privilege of working alongside truly the best of the best—lawyers who show up, volunteer their time, and care deeply about their colleagues and communities. I’m so grateful to our members for making this job, this organization, and this season of my career so meaningful."

We wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.If you would like to reach out to Carissa to congratulate her or learn more about her next chapter, email her at carissadaniellelong@gmail.com.

Moving forward, Leah Baker, former Director of Sections and Committees, will take over Carissa’s role as ISBA’s new Director of Membership. She has served as the section and committee liaison for many of ISBA’s groups. 

ISBA Members in the Wild

Members Admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court

Twenty-two ISBA members traveled to Washington, D.C. this November, where they were sworn in before all nine U.S. Supreme Court justices. Members also toured the nation’s capital and were able to meet Justice Amy Coney Barrett face-to-face.

“There’s nothing quite like standing up in front of all nine justices as your name is read. The program was extremely well-organized, with clear and effective communication from the ISBA. It was also a great chance to meet other Indiana attorneys who shared the experience. I highly recommend signing up for this if you get the chance in the future.” —John Stoddard

Please join us in congratulating this year’s SCOTUS inductees:

• Sadaf Ahmed, Jeelani Law Firm
• Taylor Bonacorsi, Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC
• Kevin Bowen, KMB Legal LLC
• Beau Browning, Riley Bennett & Egloff LLP
• Kathryn Burroughs, Cross Glazier Reed Burroughs, P.C.
• Taryn Dissett, Hassler Kondras Miller LLP
• Patricia Freije, Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC
• Kristen Hahn, Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC
• John Higgins, Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC
• Michael Jenuwine, Notre Dame Law School
• Gina Koeneman, Crossen Law Firm, LLC
• Lindsay Llewellyn, Riley Bennett & Egloff LLP
• Adrian Lynn, Lynn Law Group
• Anna Mandula, Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP
• Hon. Helen Marchal, Marion Superior Court
• Donald Meyer, Bose McKinney & Evans LLP
• Tammy Ortman, Ortman Law, LLC
• Jeffrey Schmidt, Hoogendoorn & Talbot LLP
• Michael Schmidt, City of South Bend Legal Department
• John Stoddard, Dalton & Tomich PLC
• Ellen Townsend, Due Doyle Fanning & Alderfer LLP
• Cheryl Weimer, Eberhard, Weimer & Glick P.C

Want to be notified when applications for next year’s admissions ceremony open? Fill out this interest form »

Governor Braun Appoints ISBA Members to Boards/Commissions

Governor Mike Braun appointed two ISBA members to serve on state boards and commissions:

• Brandee Chanin, Indiana Board of Tax Review
• Matt Macaluso, Indiana Business Law Survey Commission

Sections Support Etiquette Dinner

Several ISBA sections partnered with the IU Maurer School of Law to provide an etiquette training and networking dinner for 1L students. “This was a great, low-stress way to connect with attorneys,” wrote one of the attendees. “I learned a lot of new things that I will use at future events. I even learned how to eat bread like a real human being.”

Thank you to the following sections for sponsoring:

• Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights
• Business Law
• Elder Law
• Employment, Labor & Benefits Law
• Family & Juvenile Law
• General Practice, Solo & Small Firm
• Litigation
• Probate, Trust & Real Property
• Taxation
• Utility Law
• Young Lawyers

Criminal Justice Section Honors Jessie A. Cook

The Criminal Justice Section has launched a new scholarship honoring the late Jessie A. Cook. A beloved member of the Indiana criminal defense community, Cook was a force of nature in and outside of the courtroom. She litigated before the U.S. Supreme Court and devoted over forty years to training lawyers and teaching trial advocacy programs at IU Maurer and McKinney.

The Jessie A. Cook Criminal Justice Scholarship provides up to $1,000 in reimbursement for training or professional development for those who practice in the criminal justice system. Applications will be accepted until December 31. Learn more and apply »

Introducing LDA Class 14

The Leadership Development Academy (LDA) Planning Committee selected 24 lawyers to join the 2026 LDA program. These emerging leaders will travel across the state—hitting Indianapolis, Speedway, Jasper, and the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center—as they learn more about the roles lawyers play in leading their communities. Learn more »

Please join us in congratulating the 14th class of LDA:

• Zachary Bailey, Marc Lopez Law Firm
• Hannah Brady, Hume Smith Geddes Green & Simmons, LLP
• Catherine Braun, Plews Shadley Racher & Braun LLP
• Tom Crishon, The Arc of Indiana
• Kristin Froehle, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
• Rebecca Gray, Harwell Gray Legal Counsel
• Charis Grubbs, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
• Caylee Hamilton, Frost Brown Todd LLP
• Cassie Heeke, Church Church Hittle + Antrim
• Blaize Hiatt, Frost Brown Todd LLP
• Kendra Key, Church Church Hittle + Antrim
• Glorify Mandima, Frost Brown Todd LLP
  
• Robert Miller, Charitable Allies, Inc.
• Trenton Morton, Mercy for Animals
• Shana Paula, Eimerman Law
• April Satow, Kruger & Schwartz
• J. Cecelia Satterthwaite, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
• Autumn Seib, Wagner Reese LLP
• Benjamin Shoptaw, Marc Lopez Law Firm
• George Sorrells, Indiana Supreme Court
• Jamie Sutton, Sutton Law Office
• Cameron Trachtman, Frost Brown Todd LLP
• Adam Willfond, Hamilton County Board of Commissioners

Pro Bono Committee Releases 2026 Clinic Dates

The Pro Bono Committee has expanded their walk-in pro bono series to include nearly a dozen clinics in 2026. Their award-winning partnership with One More Non-Profit will continue, offering six walk-in legal clinics at The Haverstick at the Crossing:

• January 24, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET
• March 28, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET
• April 25, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET
• June 27, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET
• August 8, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET
• September 26, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET

The committee has also partnered with the Marion County court to provide a mediation clinic, where volunteer mediators will help clients resolve family law disputes and receive final judicial approval on site. Additional partnerships with the Chin Community of Indiana and the Immigrant Welcome Center are also underway. View the latest schedule »

To volunteer, email Kim Latimore-Martin at klatimore-martin@inbar.org.

Senior Lawyers Section Proposes Expanding Pro Bono Service

Last summer, the Senior Lawyers Section proposed an amendment to Admission and Discipline Rule 6.2 that would expand Indiana’s pro bono publico license. Under the amendment, retired attorneys would be able to serve qualified nonprofit and charitable organizations (in addition to those with limited means, as the rule currently allows).

The Indiana Supreme Court recently released the section’s proposed amendment for public comment. Review proposed Admission and Discipline Rule 6.2 »

Trust & Estate Specialty Board Certifies New Class of Specialists

ISBA’s Trust & Estate Specialty Board recognized seven attorneys as specialists in the area of trust and estate law. Please join us in congratulating the newest class:

• Kahlyn Ashcraft, THK Law, LLP
• Connie Bauswell, Law Office of Connie L. Bauswell, LLC
• Deborah Beaverson, Beaverson Law Group PC
• John Bishop, Lewis Wagner & Trimble LLP
• Lisa Dillman, Dillman & Owen Estate and Elder Law
• Christopher Mueller, Lewis Wagner & Trimble LLP
• Ann O'Hara, Dale & Eke

The Trust and Estate Specialization Certification recognizes attorneys who have achieved a high level of experience and expertise in the field. Certified attorneys must meet a series of continuing education requirements, receive favorable evaluations from their peers, and pass a strenuous exam. Learn more about the certification program »

Women in the Law Collecting Games for Children

The Women in the Law Committee is collecting games and puzzles for the St. Mary’s Early Childhood Center Christmas Program. St. Mary’s is a nonprofit agency offering a preschool for low-income students and providing training to help teachers improve the quality of experiences they provide in their classrooms. Donations will support preschoolers and their siblings this holiday season.

Let Me Pick Your Brain: Recruiting Law Students

Building connections between Indiana law students and practicing attorneys can be challenging—but it’s also one of the most effective ways to strengthen your section’s leadership pipeline and leave a lasting impact on students’ professional journeys.

ISBA’s Tax Section took this challenge head-on this year, setting out to strengthen its connection to law students. They began with their scholarship—an annual fund designed to help Indiana law students interested in tax law afford books and tuition. Instead of relying on typical promotional efforts, they worked directly with professors at Indiana law schools and planned various networking events for law students to attend, leading to a much higher number of applicants.

To build on that momentum, the council invited applicants to upcoming section events and launched a volunteer-led effort to match law students with practicing attorneys. Monthly calls, emails, or in-person check-ins helped students explore the field and build relationships.

Thanks to these efforts and others, the section was able to fill, for the first time in several years, all three law student positions on their council.

Connection Opportunities

• Several sections wrapped up the year with a holiday party or reception, including the Utility Law, Construction & Surety Law, Environmental Law, Probate, Business Law, and Employment Law Sections.
• The Probate Review Committee met in November to review 2026 legislative proposals and additional probate code revisions.
• The Tax Section gathered policymakers, practitioners, and agencies to discuss Indiana Senate Bill 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill, and broader fiscal policy reforms.
• The Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Committee hosted its LGBTQ+ Mix and Mingle at Upland Brewing Company, with support from Frost Brown Todd, THK Law, and Indiana law schools.
• The Intellectual Property, Business Law, and Employment Law Sections hosted a CLE on Name, Image, and Likeness law in Maurer’s Moot Court Room.
• The Young Lawyers Section hosted its annual Dinner with the Judiciary, offering students and new lawyers face time with judges and justices from across Indiana.
• Managing partners met at ISBA headquarters to discuss shared challenges and opportunities for innovation.
• The Tax Section welcomed Judge Courtney Jones of the U.S. Tax Court, IRS representatives, and practitioners for a networking lunch.
• The Utility Law Section held its Fall Seminar and annual meeting at French Lick Resort.

Upcoming CLEs and Events

• On December 10, the Animal Law Section will host a virtual screening and discussion of Dogs Are People Too, a documentary about the legal and emotional bonds between people and their pets. Learn more »
• Learn how to navigate sensitive situations with coworkers while upholding your ethical duties during the Legal Ethics Committee’s virtual CLE on December 17. Learn more »
• Join other mid- and senior-level women associates who are ready to take their careers to the next level in the 2026 Associate Empowerment Series for Women. Registration is now open. Learn more »
• Registration is open for the Women in the Law Committee’s 2026 Women’s Bench Bar Retreat, taking place in Savannah, Georgia this March. Learn more »
• Get ready for the 2026 Solo & Small Firm Conference by attending the General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section’s virtual CLE on the One Big Beautiful Act’s changes to divorce settlements and negotiations. 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!

• Tax and Probate, Trust & Real Property Sections | Avoiding Tax Traps in Estate and Gift Planning: Practical Steps to Minimize Clients’ Tax Consequences. View CLE »
• Agricultural Law Section | Gene Editing in Agriculture - A Lawyer's Perspective. View CLE »
• CLE Bundles
  • Artificial Intelligence (4.0 hr. CLE/2.5 hr. Ethics). View Bundle »
  • Soft Skills (3.0 hr. CLE/2.0 hr. Ethics). View Bundle »
  • Trust & Estate (3.0 hr. CLE/0.5 hr. Ethics). View Bundle »

ISBA Members in the Wild

Hon. Steven David Receives ABA’s Robert B. Yegge Award

Justice Steven David (Ret.) received the American Bar Association’s Robert B. Yegge Award for Outstanding Contribution in the Field of Judicial Administration during the ABA’s Annual Meeting in Toronto. The award, named after Dean Emeritus Robert Yegge, honors lifetime achievement in legal, scholarly, or civic fields and is presented to those who emulate Dean Yegge’s legacy of mentorship and service. Learn more about the award »

Governor Braun Appoints ISBA Members to Boards/Commissions

Governor Mike Braun appointed several ISBA members to serve on state boards and commissions this fall:

• Bob Reiling, Probate Code Study Committee
• James Carlberg, Probate Code Study Committee
• Jeff Kolb, Probate Code Study Committee
• Thomas Hardin, Probate Code Study Committee
• Cari Lynn Sheehan, Artificial Intelligence Task Force
• Patricia McCrory, Indiana Ireland Trade Commission
• Stephen Koers, Workers’ Compensation Board

Highlights from the 2025 Annual Meeting

ISBA’s Annual Meeting was held in Indianapolis on October 9 and 10. Here’s what went down:

• ISBA House of Delegates: The House of Delegates (ISBA’s supreme legislative body) heard reports from outgoing ISBA President Mike Jasaitis, Indiana’s ABA State Captain Steve Hoar, Chief Justice Loretta Rush, and the Indiana Bar Foundation. Delegates also received year-end summaries from various ISBA sections and committees. Learn what these groups accomplished this year »
• Leadership Elections: Steve Hoar was inducted as the 2025-26 House of Delegates chair, while Josh Tatum was elected as chair-elect. Eight candidates were also approved for open 2025-26 board positions: Hon. Steven David, Geoffrey Giorgi, Kevin Fitzharris, Bob Reiling, Mark Guenin, Tarah Baldwin, April Keaton, and Patty Xidias.
• Presidential Citations: Outgoing President Mike Jasaitis recognized several members for their outstanding service to the ISBA this year, including Judge Julie Cantrell, Judge Nancy Vaidik, Justin Forkner, Judge Tom Felts, John Maley, Catheryne Pully, Joe Skeel, Christine Cordial, and Doug Church.
• New Executive Committee: John Maley officially assumed the role of ISBA president for 2025-26. He appointed Dawn Rosemond, Counsel to the President; Katrina Ornelas, Treasurer; and Hon. Tim Baker, Secretary, as his officers.

Affiliate Committee Presents Cathy Canny Award to Tammy Munchel

The Affiliate Membership Committee awarded Tammy Munchel the 2025 Cathy Canny Award of Excellence. Tammy has served as a paralegal at McNeely Law in Shelbyville for over 25 years and was presented the award during the firm’s annual end-of-summer luncheon.

“Tammy’s aptitude, balance, and overall disposition make her an irreplaceable asset,” wrote one nominator. “In every respect, Tammy embodies the qualities recognized by the Cathy Canny Award: commitment to excellence, continuous learning, professional integrity, and the indispensable role of the paralegal in the legal field. Her impact is profound and lasting.”

Diversity Committee Sponsors MCBA Centennial Gala

The Diversity Committee is sponsoring the Marion County Bar Association’s (MCBA) Centennial Celebration Gala on October 25 in Indianapolis. Founded in 1925, the MCBA has supported Black lawyers and judges in Indianapolis’s legal community as both a metropolitan bar association and a proud chapter of the National Bar Association. Please join us in congratulating them on 100 years. Learn more about the MCBA »

Employment Law Section Volunteers at Food Bank

Members of the Employment, Labor & Benefits Law Section gathered for a service project at the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana in Crown Point. The event served as a joint section meeting, social, and volunteer opportunity.

The section also released the latest edition of its newsletter, The Workplace Lawyer. Articles covered FMLA, legislative updates, common mistakes employers make when terminating employees, and more.

Family Law Section Presents Hon. Andrea Trevino with Raduenz Award

The Family & Juvenile Law Section presented Hon. Andrea Trevino with the 2025 Nanette K. Raduenz Award at the Indiana Judicial Conference in September. The award honors judicial officers who go above and beyond in family or juvenile law.

Judge Trevino began her career as a family law attorney and went on to become the youngest woman to serve as chief judge of the Allen County Superior Court before her retirement this fall. “Trevino is fair-minded, organized, an academic and extremely diligent in her judicial duties,” wrote a nominator. “She is a leader in our community who will be sorely missed.” 

LDA Applications Open for Class of 2026

The Leadership Development Academy (LDA) is now accepting applications for the Class of 2026. Applications are due on Monday, November 3. Apply now »

LDA is a five-month leadership program bringing together 25 legal professionals from across the state. Participants form strong connections through shared experiences—overnight retreats, honest conversations, and behind-the-scenes access to leaders in law, government, and business. Graduates have gone on to serve as judges, firm managing partners, corporate leaders, and board members. Learn more »

LPM Committee Launches New Resource Page

The Law Practice Management (LPM) Committee (a subcommittee of the General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section) has unveiled a new resource hub for solo and small firm attorneys. The LPM toolkit includes practice management resources, checklists, sample agreements and forms, recommended vendors, and more. The Starting Your Practice resource page is live now, and the committee plans to add additional webpages focused on building, managing, protecting, and retiring your practice in the future. Learn more »

Pro Bono Committee Seeks Volunteers for 2026 Mediation Clinic

The Pro Bono Committee is seeking volunteers for a half-day Mediation Clinic on Saturday, February 21, 2026, in Indianapolis. In partnership with the Marion County courts, volunteer mediators will help parties resolve ongoing family law disputes on the spot.

The committee is seeking attorneys, paralegals, and registered domestic relations mediators to volunteer. Attorneys and paralegals will help draft the settlement, while mediators work with the parties to reach an agreement. Templates for all documents (including settlement agreements) will be provided. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Kim Latimore-Martin at klatimore-martin@inbar.org or 317-639-5465, ext. 936. Please include your name, attorney/mediator number, contact information, and address.

Save the Date: Women’s Bench Bar Retreat

The Women in the Law Committee will host the 24th Women’s Bench Bar Retreat in Savannah, Georgia, March 1-4, 2026. The retreat brings together attorneys and judges for CLE, community-building, and celebration of what it means to be a practicing legal professional.

CLE topics will include gender and generational impacts on communication styles, reentry programs, mock trials, a ghost tour, and more. Registration opens soon. Learn more »

Connection Opportunities

• The Elder Law Section invited members for dinner and drinks in October.
• The Agricultural Law Section toured Dull’s Tree Farm and learned about environmental regulation, the One Big Beautiful Bill’s impact on agriculture, and more.
• The Young Lawyers Section hosted a golf outing at Back 9 Golf for members and law students.
• Attorneys and judicial officers from across the state gathered in Lafayette for the annual Women in the Law Committee’s Sisters in the Law Social.
• The Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Section joined Judge Andrea McCord of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana for breakfast and a CLE on merchant cash advances.

Upcoming CLEs and Events

• The Alternative Dispute Resolution Section will host an interactive CLE on conflict resolution on October 21. Learn more »
• Join the Utility Law Section in French Lick for their annual Fall Seminar on October 30-31. Learn more »
• Meet members of Indiana’s judiciary—from all levels—at the Young Lawyers Section’s Dinner with the Judiciary on November 4. Learn more »
• Dive into the current standards and legal frameworks of Name, Image, and Likeness law at the Intellectual Property, Business Law, and Employment, Labor & Benefits Law Sections’ joint CLE. Learn more »
• Join law students, members, and allies of Indiana’s LGBTQ+ legal community at the Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Committee’s social on November 7. Learn more »
• The Litigation Section is bringing together a panel of seasoned judges for an inside look at courtroom dynamics. Learn more »
• Learn about the intersection of construction and bankruptcy law at the Construction Law and Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Sections’ joint CLE on November 13. Learn more »
• The Criminal Justice Section has invited Hon. Candace Jackson-Akiwumi of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit to speak to members on November 19. Learn more »
• The Probate, Trust & Real Property Section is hosting their Probate Review Committee and annual business meeting, along with a reception at Capital Grille, on November 21. Learn more »
• Save the date for the Utility Law Section’s Holiday Party on December 4 in Indianapolis. 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!

• Tax and Probate, Trust & Real Property Sections | Avoiding Tax Traps in Estate and Gift Planning: Practical Steps to Minimize Clients’ Tax Consequences. View CLE »
• Agricultural Law Section | Gene Editing in Agriculture - A Lawyer's Perspective. View CLE »
• The Science of Justifying Emotional Distress Compensation. View CLE »
• Open Conversations: Rule of Law with Judge Sarah Evans Barker. View CLE »
• Tips for Successful Mediation. View CLE »
• Essential Soft Skills for Attorneys. View CLE »
• Developing Leadership Skills: Delegation. View CLE »
  

Emotional Intelligence in the Legal Field

Legal professionals work in high-stakes, high-pressure environments. They juggle tight deadlines, complex client needs, and emotionally charged situations. It’s no surprise that burnout and workplace stress are common challenges across the profession.

This is where emotional intelligence comes in. At its core, EI allows us to engage with intention rather than operating on autopilot. One powerful way to do this is through the Pause, Process, and Pick™ practice created by Patrice Borders. It’s a mindful method that invites us to pause, reflect on what we’re feeling and thinking, and then pick our responses with intention. This capacity to reflect and choose wisely is essential not only for client interactions but also for teamwork and workplace culture. As Patrice shared during her session, EI is one of the top competencies that 82% of global leaders say are crucial in an “AI-powered future.”

In law, where effective communication, trust, and empathy are fundamental, EI is not just a “soft” skill—it’s a necessary leadership skill.

“EI is not just a 'soft' skill—it’s a necessary leadership skill.”

The 7 Keys to Emotional Intelligence™

To help hone this skill, Patrice introduced Symposium attendees to her 7 Keys to Emotional Intelligence™ model, a practical framework that unlocks key behaviors proven to help individuals and teams thrive:

1. Center – Ground yourself in the present and create space to respond thoughtfully.
2. Comprehend – Build self-awareness by checking in with your emotions and noticing how they influence your behavior.
3. Connect – Strengthen trust through authentic relationships by knowing what matters to those around you.
4. Communicate – Go beyond exchanging words by listening in a way that ensures people feel both heard and understood.
5. Collaborate – Recognize that meaningful progress requires openness, shared goals, and respect for diverse perspectives.
6. Conflict – Approach disagreements with curiosity and calm, seeing them as opportunities for growth rather than threats.
7. Culture – Embed these practices into your workplace to nurture an environment where people feel safe, valued, and motivated.

Each key represents an intentional microshift, a small but powerful change in how we engage with ourselves and others. Together, these microshifts—pausing, checking in, listening deeply—add up to major transformations in how we lead and work.

Carrying the Message Forward

The session went beyond theory and offered attendees real, applicable techniques that translated the science of emotional intelligence into microshifts they could practice in their daily work. The opportunity to pause, reflect, and practice EI tools in real time gave attendees a shared experience of connection and emphasized how essential these skills are for building stronger teams and healthier workplaces.

The challenge now is to put these teachings into action. Emotional intelligence is not a one-time lesson, but a mindset that grows stronger with each moment of practice. Leveraging the human-centered skills that Patrice introduced is critical to building thriving workplace cultures within the legal profession.

For those who want to continue exploring, Patrice shares more about the 7 Keys and her work through AmplifyEI and in her TEDx Talk, The Exponential Power of Emotional Intelligence. With a background in law, coaching, and organizational leadership, she brings both professional and personal insight into how emotional intelligence can shape perspectives, improve collaboration, and sustain well-being in demanding fields like ours.

Her message to our community was clear: emotional intelligence is not optional. It is essential.

“The challenge now is to put these teachings into action. Emotional intelligence is not a one-time lesson, but a mindset that grows stronger with each moment of practice.”

“...the world, while grateful to America, must remind America that it is lighting a lamp as well for others in far lands groping in the dark for the light of their common progress and development and meaning as a people”

What Is the Rule of Law?

The Rule of Law is a hotly contested ideal, and contributors who attempted defining it appear aware of the inadequacies of their proffered definitions and those of others.⁴ ISBA President Michael Jasaitis grounds the meaning of the Rule of Law in practical terms, unveiling it as an invisible architecture that ensures that unfair social policies are challenged, and contracts are enforced.⁵

Kevin McGoff defines the Rule of Law in terms of equal application of the law to all.⁶ McGoff then cites other definitions from the United States Courts website,⁷ from the Oxford dictionary,⁸ and from the ABA⁹ and finds all of them imperfect.

McGoff phrases the definitional difficulty of the Rule of Law in this manner: “Like any litigator, I have been quick to contrive a definition of the rule of law when given the opportunity. I was, of course, pleased with it. But at the same time, I was unsatisfied with my ability to succinctly define the concept.”¹⁰ In addition to this definitional difficulty is the diverse, and even opposing, perception of the Rule of Law by different generational groups. While Baby boomers and Generation X look to the Rule of Law as a safeguard, millennials and generation Z are skeptical of protections that the Rule of Law is expected to safeguard.¹¹

In his widely referenced, canonical piece, “‘The Rule of Law’ as a Concept in Constitutional Discourse,” Professor Richard H. Fallon captures the challenge and failure in defining the Rule of Law: “the precise meaning of the Rule of Law is perhaps less clear than ever before. Many invocations are entirely conclusory, and some appear mutually inconsistent.”¹² Professor Fallon further adds that the various definitions of the Rule of Law have been contested.¹³ And he calls for a clearer definition of the ideal.

The helpful definitions offered in this Res Gestae edition, I think, with respect, fall short of Professor Fallon’s call—made in close to three decades ago—for an exact definition of the term that is bereft of ambiguities, sparkling with epistemic clarity, and grounded in Socratic soundness. But the contributors largely succeed in signaling the main core desiderata of the Rule of Law ideal.

Core Desiderata of the Rule of Law

• Tempering power: Perhaps, the bellwether of the core desiderata of the Rule of Law is its potential and ability to temper or restrain power: “The rule of law is a cornerstone of a just and prosperous society, ensuring that power is constrained by law and that everyone is accountable for their actions.”¹⁴
• No arbitrariness: Bearing close resemblance to the lead principle of tempering power is the core desideratum of no arbitrary laws and no arbitrary governmental action.¹⁵
• Predictability: And the core desideratum of predictability of laws ensures that power is tempered and laws and actions are not arbitrary, by enacting laws that are certain and predictable.¹⁶ The Rule of law “provides a predictable framework for society, allowing people to live and work free from unjust oppression.”¹⁷ The Rule of Law “provides a stable and predictable legal environment—essential for attracting investment and promoting economic growth.” ¹⁸
• Rule of Law, not rule by man: The core desideratum of predictability relates to the principle that, under the Rule of Law, it is the law that rules and not man. Charles G. Geyh rightly invokes the ancient Greek philosophers on this point, reminding us that this core desideratum goes back to Aristotle who offered one of the best jurisprudences behind it: “we do not allow a man to rule, but the law,” because “desire…twists rulers even when they are the best of men.”¹⁹
• Equality: Perhaps, the most well-known and widely cited core desideratum of the Rule of Law is the doctrine of equality before the law: the idea that no person is above the law and that the law applies equally to all. “This principle, that no person stands above the law and that laws apply equally to all, represents one of humanity’s greatest achievements.”²⁰ The principle of equality before the law “ensures that everyone is treated equally and fairly under the law.”²¹ Equality before the law is neither a Red or a Blue issue.²² McGoff quotes President Dwight Eisenhower on this concept: “[T]he rule of law…ensures justice between man and man, however humble the one and however powerful the other. A man with five dollars in the bank can call to account the corporation with five billion dollars in assets—and the two will be heard as equals before the law.”²³ The poor, wealthy, elected public officer, law enforcement agents, accused persons, and ordinary folks are equal before the law under the core desideratum of equality before the law.²⁴
• Protection of rights and freedoms: An important substantive core desideratum of the Rule of Law is that it protects individual rights and freedoms, ensuring that these rights and freedoms are not abused by those in authority and those with power.²⁵
• Access to justice: And an important procedural core desideratum of the Rule of Law is access to justice. The Rule of Law demands access to justice for both folks of lesser means and affluent people. Hence officers of the law are called “to ensure that all people have access to justice, not just those who can afford it.”²⁶
• Separation of powers: The Rule of Law designs and deploys and animates the wheel around which the spokes of governance spin in progress for the well-being of the people, putting the power of the polis in three co-ordinate branches—the executive, legislature, and the judiciary. Therefore, the core desideratum of separation of power among the three co-ordinate branches of government allows for “ambition…to counteract ambition.”²⁷ Here, and of special importance, it is the judiciary that keeps “the other branches in check through judicial review.”²⁸ The seminal case of Marbury v. Madison empowers the courts to define the limits of the other branches by saying what the law is.²⁹ Learning from the example of America, common law countries like Ghana have constitutionalized Marbury v. Madison, even enacting it as an explicitly entrenched constitutional provision.³⁰
• Independent judiciary: The judiciary is central to upholding the Rule of Law. And in this, the Rule of Law demands an independent judiciary, “requir[ing] a system of courts that are free from undue influence and that can fairly and impartially interpret and apply the law.”³¹                

“Learning from the example of America, common law countries like Ghana have constitutionalized Marbury v. Madison, even enacting it as an explicitly entrenched constitutional provision.”

If delineating the meaning and core essentials of the Rule of Law is a big challenge, its application is an even bigger challenge, the contributors caution: “The mere definition of the idea of the rule of law is only half the conversation. The tougher part of the conservation these days is how the rule is applied.”³²

Judges, as a core component of the judiciary, play a key role in practicalizing and applying the Rule of Law ideal. In this crucial role, Charles G. Geyh cautions judges to engage in civic discourse on the Rule of Law with great care, avoiding “partisan confrontations on controversial issues…by taking [a] more historical, reportorial, and theoretical” approach.³³ There is much divided views on the Rule of Law because of the varying views on its meaning and even its key essentials. And everybody should approach critical engagement of the Rule of Law with empathy.

The Rule of Law Is Important

An uncontroversial and more illuminating definition of the Rule of Law needs not be formulated and resolved before we find consensus on its importance. The edition and the contributors found much consensus on the eternal importance of the Rule of Law.

(Ret.) Justice Steven David is one of the co-hosts of Open Conversations. Justice David, I see, has “The Rule of Law—Always” visibly written behind his seat during sessions of Open Conversations—an ever present reminder of the importance of the concept as President Jasaitis remarks: “[T]hese simple yet powerful words: ‘The Rule of Law—Always’…serve as a constant reminder that our profession carries a responsibility far greater than any individual case, client, or career milestone.” ³⁴

That the Rule of Law is important is probably a non-contentious proposition that enjoys bipartisan support and commands commendation from some of the most notable American presidents of the past across the political aisle, one contributor notes. ³⁵ In any event, another contributor adds that “[t]he rule of law, however, should not be a partisan topic,”³⁶ underscoring the cruciality of the ideal across political ideologies.

With parts of our world actively engaged in armed conflict, the role of the Rule of Law in a peaceful polis is timely. The contributors, however, appear to direct this potential for conflict prevention and resolution within a particular polis rather than across different nations. The Rule of Law is the sure means of avoiding conflict in the polis, avoiding conflicts between nations, and the proven tool for reconciling societies in conflict. “We stand for the rule of law not because it always produces outcomes we prefer, but because it provides the only reliable means of resolving disputes peacefully and protecting individual rights in a diverse democracy.”³⁷ One contributor is sure that it is the Rule of Law that ensures a stable society: “I believe that our collective commitment to the rule of law has bound us as a people.”³⁸ Eventually, all that a polis has is the Rule of Law. “Because the alternative—the rule of power and mob violence—is unthinkable.”³⁹

“The Rule of Law is the sure means of avoiding conflict in the polis, avoiding conflicts between nations, and the proven tool for reconciling societies in conflict.”

Guardians of the Rule of Law

While the Rule of law is the anchor of a flourishing polis, it is a fragile and brittle cornerstone: “It took centuries to establish but can be eroded in far less time.”⁴¹ Sadly, the sure means of measuring the importance of the Rule of Law is in its absence. ⁴² Herein lies the significance and importance of the recent Res Gestae’s Rule of Law edition and the need to continue the conversation.

The Rule of Law has been home to America for about two and a half centuries.⁴³ America has preserved the Rule of Law, and it is necessary to continue to preserve it. “It is our responsibility to ensure that nearly 250 years of this culture are preserved and improved upon.”⁴⁴

Admirably, America has preserved the Rule of Law through some of the most challenging events in our nation’s history.⁴⁵ America is a diverse polis, and actualizing the Rule of Law is more tasking in a diverse political community. “But despite these differences, we have endured and even thrived as a nation due largely to our commitment to the rule of law.”⁴⁶

And for lawyers, judges, and legal officers—primary guardians of the Rule of Law—the duty to defend the Rule of Law is a vocation that involves more than practicing a trade or a profession.⁴⁷ The Hon. John Baker acknowledges the challenge of living the vocation as guardians of the Rule of Law: “It’s a heavy burden to continue to maintain the rule of law, but it’s a vocation that becomes a calling. I encourage you to always think of that higher calling—of maintaining the rule of law…”⁴⁸

Reflections and policy actions and reports of this Res Gestae edition are aimed at preserving and handing down a robust Rule of Law to the next American generation. “Let us ensure that future generations inherit a legal system strong as the one we inherited—one where the rule of law remains not just an aspiration, but a daily reality. This is our calling, our obligation, and our greatest service.”⁴⁹ Indiana has put in place policies and projects and engagements to nurture and preserve the Rule of Law in its younger generation.

Civic education engagement projects—Indiana Bar Foundation’s We the People, Mock Trial, United States Senate Youth program, Indiana Kids Election, and Indiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council (ILYAC)⁵⁰—undertaken by lawyers and judges are some of the ways the Rule of Law is nurtured and preserved in Indiana. Civic education teaches the importance of the Rule of Law and builds the trust of the people in the government.⁵¹ Others, within and without the United States, can adopt and adapt these civic education-oriented Rule of Law interventions from Indiana.

The Rule of Law is incorporated in Indiana high school curriculum. A high school teacher who contributed to the edition writes: “The paradigm that law permeates every aspect of life drives the course structure of Law Education, an introductory course I teach at Fishers High School in Fishers, Indiana. The elective semester course is designed to establish foundational legal knowledge for students in grades 10-12.”⁵² This civic reform is even embraced at the pre-high school level. “The Indiana Department of Education has also revised its academic standards for social studies to incorporate more robust civics content across K-12 curricula.”⁵³ These Rule of Law oriented curriculum at the early stages of a citizen’s education may prove to be one of the best ways of preserving the Rule of Law. Others should learn from this initiative.

Indiana judges and lawyers are supporting the Rule of Law efforts of high school teachers. “Since 2021, over 30 legal professionals have visited the classroom, and more than 600 students have engaged in this course and project.”⁵⁴ Judges and lawyers go to high schools “not just for career day” but to inculcate the importance of the Rule of Law in students.⁵⁵ This, too, is worth emulating by lawyers and judges elsewhere.

The civic education efforts of Indiana judiciary and educators have received support from Indiana legislators. “In 2021, the Indiana General Assembly passed House Enrolled Act 1384, mandating a semester-long civics course for middle school students. This course aims to instill a foundational understanding of American democracy, the Constitution, and the role of citizens in maintaining civil society.”⁵⁶ Lawmakers in other jurisdictions can enact similar laws.

In addition to the above, and outside the formal education sector, one may also volunteer to be involved in promoting the Rule of Law in these ways: attend Rule of Law community events rallies, attend Rule of Law lectures, attend Rule of Law programs, educate students, mentor new lawyers and law students, provide pro bono legal services, and get involved with Indiana Free Legal Answers.⁵⁷

These civic engagements are the means of animating and preserving the Rule of Law in Indiana and in the United States. But America must know that it is also the custodian of the Rule of Law of the world. America appears to have a blurred vision of this clear duty: “We live in a divided time. We live in a time that can be dark and cruel. But we have an alternative to offer to our friends and neighbors. We offer a way of resolving conflict peacefully. We offer a way of living together and mutually benefiting each other—and of benefiting our communities. We offer the rule of law.”⁵⁸ It should be unambiguous that the “neighbors” and “friends” referenced supra extends beyond the other states in the United States of America to the many nations in the world that look to America’s Rule of Law posture for purpose and direction and action.

“But America must know that it is also the custodian of the Rule of Law of the world.”

America’s Best Gift to the World

If America is great in part because it lights the paths of other nations, as I firmly believe it does, the brightest torch yet for this role is not its ambitious space adventures; the Russians were the first to go to space. If America is great in part because it lights the paths of other nations, as I firmly believe it does, the brightest torch yet for this role is not its ambitious technological breakthroughs; China has caught up and appears to be leading the pack in tech. If America is great in part because it lights the paths of other nations, as I firmly believe it does, the brightest torch yet for this role is not its wealthy citizens; Switzerland dwarfs America in average wealth and in bridging social inequality among its citizens. If America is great in part because it lights the paths of other nations, as I firmly believe it does, the brightest torch yet for this role is not even its military might; brute force has never solved any problem meaningfully in our world. If America is great in part because it lights the paths of other nations, as I firmly believe it does, the brightest torch yet for this role is surely its Rule of Law. Even with its flaws, in America the law rules, still. The Rule of Law is America’s holy grail. And the Rule of Law is America’s best gift to the world.

Globally, the Rule of Law has been declining in the last decade.⁵⁹ Reflections and reports of the dual July/August Res Gestae edition are means of reversing the declining global Rule of Law. And in this, American judiciary has a unique role. “For nearly two and a half centuries, our profession has been entrusted with the awesome responsibility of securing and safeguarding the rule of law. It has now fallen to us to restore a measure of the trust that has been lost.”⁶⁰ The world is watching how America will, yet again, live up to its clear mandate of restoring public trust in the Rule of Law.

¹ Others, for example, think that America’s greatness is it its democracy and benevolence: “I think the thing that separates this country from other countries in particular, is the fact that we’re a democratic society. But, more importantly, we are a benevolent society. And I think that once we lose that we’re in deep trouble.” Steven David et al., Wisdom from the Bench: Thoughts on Facing Injustice, Remaining Motivated, and Loving the Rule of Law, in Res Gestae, vol. 69 no. 1, 13, 14 (July/August 2025).

² Res Gestae Editor, Protecting the Rule of Law Starts with You, Res Gestae, vol. 69 no. 1, 37 (July/August 2025). 

³ Michael Jasaitis, The Rule of Law: Our Enduring Foundation, in Res Gestae, vol. 69 no. 1, 7, 9 (July/August 2025)(“Our association’s commitment to these principles is not situational or politically convenient. It is foundational.”)

⁴ Cari Sheehan, How Do Students Today Learn about the Rule of Law? in Res Gestae, vol. 69 no. 1, 34 (July/August 2025)(“An American Bar Association article stated the rule of law is hard to define.”)

⁵ Supra n. 3 at 7 (“The rule of law is not merely an academic concept confined to law school classrooms or judicial opinions. It is the invisible architecture that makes civilized society possible. When a parent challenges an unfair policy related to a family member, when a business owner seeks to enforce a contract, and when a citizen questions government action, they are exercising rights that exist only because we have agreed, as a society, to be governed by law rather than by arbitrary will of those in power.”) 

⁶ Kevin McGoff, Having a Polite Conversation about the Rule of Law, in Res Gestae, vol. 69 no. 1, 21, 23 (July/August 2025)(“When a family member, colleague, or friend asks, ‘What is the rule of law?’ I’ve settled on the rule of law is a set of rules that apply equally to everyone to ensure an orderly society.”)

⁷ Id. at 22 (“The United States Courts website wasn’t much help. It defines the rule of law as ‘a principle under which all persons, institutions, and entities are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced, independently adjudicated, and consistent with international human rights principles.’ This is too lawyer-like. Not fluid or casual enough to be used in a discussion over a beer.”)

⁸ Id. (“Oxford’s definition takes a different approach: ‘the restriction of the arbitrary exercise of power by subordinating it to well-defined and established laws.’ Big words that sound like they came from a dictionary or a law professor.”)

⁹ Id. (“The ABA’s definition, ‘[t]he rule of law is a set of principles, or ideals, for ensuring an orderly and just society,’ is more to the point. But I wanted to add more to it.”)

¹⁰ Id.

¹¹ Supra n. 4 at 35 (“Generational perspectives on the rule of law differ markedly. Baby boomers and Generation X, shaped by the Cold War and civil rights movements, tend to view the rule of law as a safeguard against tyranny. By contrast, millennials and generation Z have grown up amid political polarization, systemic inequality, and digital disinformation. As a result, their relationship with authority and legal institutions is more skeptical, sometimes apathetic.”)

¹² Fallon, Richard. The Rule of Law’ as a Concept in Constitutional Discourse. 97 Colum. L. Rev. 1, 1 (1997).

¹³ Id.

¹⁴ Hon. Christopher M. Goff, The Importance of the Rule of Law, in Res Gestae, vol. 69 no. 1, 10 (July/August 2025)

¹⁵ Supra n. 3 at 8. 

¹⁶ Id.

¹⁷ Supra n. 14 at 10-11.

¹⁸ Id. at 11.  

¹⁹ Charles G. Geyh, May Judges Talk about the Rule of Law?—Yes with Care, in Res Gestae, vol. 69 no. 1, 24, 27 (July/August 2025). 

²⁰ Supra n. 3 at 7.

²¹ Supra n. 14 at 10. 

²²  Supra n. 6 at 21 (“The notion that the United States is governed by a set of rules intended to apply equally to everyone is pretty basic. It’s not a Red, Blue, Whig, or Libertarian party issue.”)

²³ Id. at 22.

²⁴ Id. 23.

²⁵ Supra n. 14 at 11.

²⁶ Supra n. 3 at 8.

²⁷ Supra n. 19 at 27.

²⁸ Id.

²⁹ Id.

³⁰ Article 125(3) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana (“The judicial power of Ghana shall be vested in the Judiciary, accordingly, neither the President nor Parliament nor any organ or agency of the President or Parliament shall have or be given final judicial power.”)

³¹ Supra n. 14 at 11. 

³² Supra n. 6 at 22. 

³³ Supra n. 19 at 27.

³⁴ Supra n. 3 at 7.

³⁵ Id (“Presidents from both parties have recognized this fundamental truth. Ronald Reagan spoke of how ‘true peace rests on the pillars of individual freedom, human rights, national self-determination, and respect for the rule of law.’ John F. Kennedy reminded us that while ‘certain other countries may respect the rule of force, we respect the rule of law.’”)

³⁶ Supra n. 6 at 21.

³⁷ Supra n. 3 at 9.

³⁸ Supra n. 14 at 11.

³⁹ Id. 

⁴⁰ Supra n. 2 at 37.    

⁴¹ Supra n. 3 at 7.

⁴² Id. (“As President Eisenhower observed during the first Law Day in 1958: ‘The clearest way to show what the rule of law means to us in everyday life is to be reminded of what happens when there is no rule of law.’ Having witnessed the horrors of World War II, Eisenhower understood that when legal systems collapse, human dignity inevitably follows.”)

⁴³ Supra n. 14 at 11.

⁴⁴  Supra n. 6 at 23.   

⁴⁵ Supra n. 3 at 9 (“The rule of law survived the Civil War, two World Wars, the Great Depression, and countless other challenges because Americans understood that abandoning it would cost more than preserving it ever could.”)

⁴⁶ Supra n. 14 at 10.  

⁴⁷ Supra n. 3 at 9 (“Justice David’s challenge coin reminds us that this commitment is not optional for members of our profession. We did not choose to become lawyers merely to practice trade. We chose to join a profession dedicated to justice under the law. That choice carries obligations that extend beyond individual success to collective responsibility for maintaining the legal system’s integrity.”)     

⁴⁸ Supra n. 1 at 15.

⁴⁹ Supra n. 3 at 9.

⁵⁰ Supra n. 4 at 35

⁵¹ Abigail Hopf, Bridging the Civics Gap: Indiana Bar Foundation and the Legal Profession in Action, in Res Gestae, vol. 69 no. 1, 28 (July/August 2025).

⁵² Andrew Jones, From the Trenches: Bringing Legal Education to Indiana Classrooms,” in Res Gestae, vol. 69 no. 1, 32 (July/August 2025).

⁵³ Supra n. 4 at 35.  

⁵⁴ Supra n. 52 at 32.

⁵⁵ Id.

⁵⁶ Supra n. 4 at 35.

⁵⁷ Supra n. 2 at 37.

⁵⁸ Supra n. 14 at 12.

⁵⁹ The annual World Justice Project Rule of Law Index has been putting out Rule of performances and indicators for various countries since 2008. And for more than a decade, the Rule of Law has been receding globally. The latest World Justice Rule of Law scheduled to be released in October 2025 forecasts a general continuous decline in the Rule of Law around the world.

⁶⁰ Supra n. 14 at 12.

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 »

Now it's time for you to continue the conversation. What resources have shaped your understanding of the rule of law? How have you engaged with your community to support it? What strategies have you found most effective in communicating its importance?

Explore additional resources provided by ISBA members and community partners. Then share your thoughts in the comments below (you must be signed into your ISBA account to leave a comment).

Read the full July/August '25 issue »

Additional Resources on the Rule of Law

Articles

• ISBA Statement on Law Day
• "The Rule of Law: America’s Holy Grail to the World" by Prosper Andre Batinge
• “The Rule of Law Always” by Hon. Steven David
• “The Constitution, Factions, and the Rule of Law” by Judge Edward W. Najam, Jr.
• “The Rule of Law and the Ethical Lawyer” by Clayton C. Miller 
• “Rule of Law and Success for the American Experiment” by former Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard 
• “What exactly is the meaning of the ‘rule of law’ anyway?” by J. Todd Spurgeon 

1. Intern at a law firm or other legal office while you desperately wait for your bar exam results.
2. Promote from intern to associate as a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, aspiring attorney.
3. Get a reality check as you put in 50 to 60 hours a week (minimum).
4. Pull a couple all-nighters at your desk.
5. Grind away at the office until your hairline recedes or turns grey—or both—at the ripe old age of 35.
6. Watch as the next generation of lawyers do the exact same thing.

But this isn’t always the case—well, at least not for me.

Roughly one year after starting my first job as an associate attorney I unexpectedly found myself at a crossroads in my professional career. As much as I wanted to catch my breath and take my time looking for new opportunities for work, I knew that time was limited. I initially had difficulty finding a position right after being admitted, so the prospect of finding a new job was nerve-wracking. With only a single year of experience under my belt, finding a firm who would hire me felt like an uphill battle—my main concern being that many associate positions are generally filled by interning graduates waiting for bar exam results. After a few days of discussing different options with my wife, my choice was clear: I would have to bet on myself.

Starting your own solo practice is a challenge for any lawyer. Doing so with one year under your belt is borderline reckless, but not impossible. The instant transition from an associate attorney to running your own practice is like jumping into Lake Michigan in March. If you’re a young attorney looking at breaking the mold, here’s three traits you should have and three challenges you will encounter, which I’ve learned after completing my first full year as a solo practicing attorney.

“The instant transition from an associate attorney to running your own practice is like jumping into Lake Michigan in March.”

Trait #1: You Must Learn and Adapt Quickly

Let’s face it—what you learn in law school is only the tip of the iceberg. When you open a private practice early in your career, you are forced to learn every aspect of business management at the same time you are trying to learn the law, providing chaos at every corner. Fortunately, we live in an age where anyone can access the world’s knowledge in seconds, so use that to your advantage.

Use free and readily available resources for your practice such as the ISBA’s legal research tools and the Indiana General Assembly’s online Indiana Code. Additionally, you can use the Indiana Courts' MyCase to find examples of pleadings and motions filed by other lawyers when you’re unsure how to properly draft one.

For understanding the business management side of your practice, there are plenty of online guides that will walk you through website construction, domain maintenance, bookkeeping, and marketing. YouTube is full of educational content that can help you learn these skills. Additionally, software providers like QuickBooks and Clio have guides that answer many questions that first time users may have.

Using artificial intelligence tools can assist in creative endeavors like website design and creating a brand identity, but be cautious when using them for legal work. AI, such as ChatGPT, is prone to using algorithms that use outdated or imitated information—such as using the 2021 Indiana Code instead of the most current version or making up citations that mirror appellate cases from other jurisdictions. However, using well-drafted prompts can help avoid this, such as requiring the AI to “exclusively use external resources and provide links from the websites that the information was gathered from,” forcing it to use more recent information than its older self-contained data model. Regardless, you should always verify all AI generated citations.

Trait #2: You Must Be Procedurally Organized

Note that I didn’t specify “physically” organized. More likely than not your workspace will be a jumbled mess of papers and boxes. Establishing a method to organize the way you want to run your practice is essential, otherwise you risk spiraling into disorganization once you begin to bring in clients. Creating a uniform document naming system is a powerful organization tool allowing you to quickly access your files. Quickly accessing your documents is as important as the content within them. You can’t use what you can’t find.

There is no correct way to organize, but having a system that is easy to teach to future staff or attorneys is an important foresight.

Trait #3: You Must Be Flexible with Clients

Flexibility can be very advantageous for a new attorney. There are people who need legal assistance but can’t find time to meet with an attorney. Not everyone can simply take a day off—often due to work or personal scheduling conflicts. Others, particularly the elderly, have difficulty leaving their homes. By opening yourself up to flexible scheduling, you’re showing dedication to your client by prioritizing their accessibility instead of asking them to disrupt their lives for your convenience. Just remember to set limits on your availability. Your job may seem like your entire life at the onset, but you must care for yourself as well.

“Just remember to set limits on your availability. Your job may seem like your entire life at the onset, but you must care for yourself as well.”

Challenge #1: Overcoming Perceived “Inexperience”

One of the most soul crushing experiences occurred a month into my practice. I was attending an event where I had an information table. During the event, a couple in their early 60s stopped at my table. After learning that I was in the legal field, they curiously asked, “Who is the attorney?”I have been told before that I have a babyface when I am clean shaven, so I chuckled and informed them that I am the attorney. They were visibly surprised by my answer and asked for my age. Thinking nothing of it, I told them that I had just turned 28 and was proud to say that I started my own practice. Their next words hit me like a freight train: “Call us when you’re in your thirties.”

As much as it hurt to hear, I understand their hesitation. But remember that there is a reason that bar exam scores aren’t published—a new lawyer is just as much as a lawyer as one with fifty years of experience. Be aware of your current experience, which may limit which cases you can reasonably take, while recognizing that your abilities will inevitably grow. Appreciate your clients who come to you for their legal needs in the early stages of your practice.

Challenge #2: Isolation

One of the greatest challenges, particularly for extroverts, is the substantial amount of time spent alone.

Being on my own required that I sacrifice everyday social interactions that you would ordinarily have at a firm. Additionally, you will have to deal with professional isolation. A solo practitioner’s opportunities to discuss legal questions with co-workers are essentially nonexistent. I discovered very quickly that cordial connections are critical to a successful practice. Even as a solo practitioner, you can’t do it alone, so find experienced attorneys who will mentor you. Although I don’t have a peer down the hall, I’m extremely thankful for the handful of lawyers who have helped me work through several challenges I’ve faced.

If you are looking to find a mentor, a great place to is your local/county bar association. Reach out to different attorneys and find an hour to have coffee. You may find that some lawyers are involved in volunteer organizations like Lions, Kiwanis, or Rotary. The most important step is taking the initiative to interact, even if it seems awkward at first. There are experienced lawyers who would be glad to help develop the skills of green lawyers.

Challenge #3: Overcoming Financial Pressures

Managing finances is a necessity for any business. What is more challenging is meeting your personal financial needs. You will likely not have enough revenue to pay yourself for months. However, underneath the balance sheet is a more concerning issue: Zealous advocacy can easily become milquetoast when you don’t know if you can meet your own needs. Overcoming this obstacle is not just a test of professional ethics, but evidence of a lawyer’s true character. This is perhaps the greatest obstacle you may face, and there are no easy solutions.

Conclusion

Not everyone can be on their own, and being newly admitted is challenging enough. Neither are easy, but both are possible. You will lose sleep. Your relationships will be challenged. Your self-confidence will falter, and feelings of imposter syndrome will occur. However, the experience and knowledge you gain are unlike any traditional career path, shaping you into the most authentic attorney you could ever hope to be.

Hayden C.T. Parsons is the founding attorney of HCTP Law—a general practice law firm based in Noblesville, Indiana—practicing primarily in the areas of probate, estate planning, business law, and contracts. Since opening his practice in June 2024, Hayden has met the legal needs of individuals and small businesses throughout Indiana and in other states.

Hayden earned his J.D. from the Michigan State University College of Law in 2022, and a B.S. in Political Science from Ball State University in 2019. He was admitted to the Indiana Bar in 2023. Hayden has a passion for helping military veterans and servicemembers, having proudly served in the United States Army Reserve for six years as a Paralegal Specialist, achieving the rank of Sergeant/E-5. Outside of his legal career, Hayden has served on the board of directors for a variety of non-profit organizations, and holds membership in his local Lions Club and Kiwanis Club.

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 »

Notable Misuses of Gen AI in Law

In one notorious case, a New York attorney faced sanctions after submitting a legal brief that cited non-existent cases generated by ChatGPT. The lawyer admitted to not verifying the authenticity of these citations, leading to a $5,000 fine and a mandate to inform affected clients about the misconduct.

Similarly, a Texas lawyer was fined $2,000 for filing a document containing fictitious citations produced by an AI tool. The court also required the attorney to complete a course on the ethical use of generative AI in legal settings.

These cases underscore the ethical and professional risks associated with unverified reliance on Gen AI outputs. They highlight the necessity for attorneys to exercise due diligence and maintain human oversight when incorporating AI into their practice.

Understanding the American Bar Association's Guidance on Gen AI in Law

In July 2024, the American Bar Association (ABA) issued Formal Opinion 512, providing its first formal guidance on the use of Gen AI in legal practice. The opinion makes it clear that the ethical responsibilities outlined in the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct remain as relevant and enforceable as ever in the context of this emerging technology. This guidance emphasizes that lawyers must fully consider their ethical obligations to ensure Gen AI tools are used responsibly and in a manner that upholds the integrity of the legal profession.

The ABA's Formal Opinion 512 highlights several key Model Rules that lawyers must heed when integrating Gen AI into their practice:

1. Competence (Model Rule 1.1): Lawyers are required to provide competent legal representation, which involves having the requisite legal knowledge, skill, and thorough preparation. When using Gen AI tools, this means understanding both the benefits and risks of the technology. A lawyer must possess sufficient technical competence to evaluate whether a particular Gen AI tool is suitable for the task at hand and ensure it is used effectively. This includes verifying the accuracy of Gen AI outputs, as errors or fabricated citations—commonly referred to as "hallucinations"—can result in serious professional consequences.
2. Confidentiality (Model Rule 1.6): Gen AI systems often require inputting sensitive client information, which raises concerns about maintaining confidentiality. Model Rule 1.6 underscores a lawyer's duty to safeguard all client-related information, regardless of its source. The rule emphasizes that attorneys must ensure the security of any data shared with Gen AI tools and, if there is a lack of protection that risks unauthorized disclosure, must not use such tools without the client's informed consent.
3. Communication (Model Rule 1.4): Effective communication with clients is central to ethical legal practice. Under Model Rule 1.4, lawyers have a fiduciary obligation to inform clients about important developments and to “reasonably consult” with them about the means used to achieve their objectives. In the context of Gen AI, this might mean evaluating whether using the Gen AI tool materially impacts the achievement of client objectives, and if so, informing the client.
4. Fees (Model Rule 1.5): Lawyers must ensure their fees and expenses are reasonable. This extends to the use of Gen AI. If, for example, a lawyer uses a Gen AI tool to draft a document in significantly less time than it would take manually, the lawyer can charge for the time spent reviewing and finalizing the document but, unless the client approves, not for the time spent learning how to operate the tool. However, with appropriate disclosure to the client, the lawyer can, for example, charge a higher fee for more efficient work done using Gen AI, compared to the same work done without using Gen AI. The key is to keep the client informed and get the client’s approval if you plan to change your fees due to Gen AI.

Formal Opinion 512 goes beyond merely restating ethical rules. It encourages lawyers to approach Gen AI with a blend of caution and innovation, recognizing the potential for technology to enhance efficiency and service delivery while safeguarding professional standards. Lawyers are reminded that their ultimate responsibility is to their clients, not the technology. As new Gen AI tools emerge, the ABA anticipates issuing further guidance to address specific tools and scenarios, ensuring the profession evolves responsibly alongside technological advancements. By providing this structured framework, the ABA reinforces that Gen AI is not a shortcut to bypass ethical diligence but a tool that, when used thoughtfully, can complement and enhance traditional legal practices.

Assessing Firm Needs and Capabilities

Before Gen AI enters into operations, a law firm must thoroughly evaluate current practices, staff readiness, and specific needs. I consulted for a mid-sized firm with just under 100 staff, helping them leverage surveys and focus groups to build a data-driven integration strategy. The firm's findings revealed both significant enthusiasm and critical gaps in knowledge and preparedness, offering key insights into how Gen AI can be responsibly and effectively adopted.

We adapted my standardized survey template for law firms on Gen AI to the needs of this firm and then launched the survey. The customized survey revealed that 75% of attorneys viewed Gen AI as a tool with the potential to improve productivity and efficiency, and 55% expressed eagerness to adopt it actively. However, only 25% of the attorneys—no partners, just associates, mostly younger and more digitally savvy—were already using Gen AI, highlighting a substantial 50% gap between interest and usage. Among those who used Gen AI, its applications varied widely. Attorneys reported leveraging Gen AI primarily for drafting and summarizing legal documents, including motions, memos, and agreements. Additionally, some used it for preliminary legal research to identify potentially relevant case law or to refine and improve the readability and conciseness of their written work.

Despite these benefits, the early adopters faced significant challenges. They needed to learn how to fact-check Gen AI to catch fictitious citations or misrepresentations of case law. One attorney shared a detailed account of testing Gen AI for specific state-level legal queries, only to find that the citations provided were inaccurate to their state. This experience reinforced the need for rigorous human oversight when using Gen AI in legal work, particularly for tasks requiring precision and legal interpretation.

The focus groups provided deeper insights into the concerns and expectations of staff. Junior attorneys voiced apprehension about how Gen AI might impact their professional development, particularly the opportunity to hone essential skills through traditional drafting and research tasks. Senior attorneys, meanwhile, expressed skepticism about the technology’s current limitations but acknowledged its potential to reduce time spent on routine tasks. Across the board, employees emphasized a strong desire for comprehensive training, with 100% of non-partners indicating interest in ethical and legal applications of Gen AI and over 90% expressing enthusiasm for practical training on integrating Gen AI into their workflows.

These discussions also uncovered a clear demand for transparency and collaboration in the integration process. Attorneys were keen to understand how Gen AI would complement their roles without diminishing the value of their expertise. While 75% of respondents were optimistic about the potential efficiency gains, they were equally vocal about the importance of maintaining high professional standards. For instance, they advocated for policies ensuring that any outputs generated by Gen AI undergo careful review and refinement by human attorneys.

The survey highlighted additional nuances in staff expectations and experiences. Attorneys who had experimented with Gen AI noted that it excelled in producing quick, rough drafts for standard documents, which could then be tailored to specific cases. However, they emphasized that its role should remain supportive rather than primary, with human judgment steering its use. Interestingly, no significant difference was found between how Gen AI was used remotely versus in the office, demonstrating flexibility in its application.

The findings also suggested broader institutional needs. While some attorneys praised Gen AI’s ability to handle routine tasks, others pointed out inefficiencies stemming from a lack of standardized best practices. This gap presents an opportunity for the firm to lead with clear policies and targeted training, ensuring that all staff can benefit equally from the technology.

By conducting these surveys and focus groups, the firm identified critical areas for intervention, including the need for robust training programs, ethical guidelines, and strategies to address staff concerns about role displacement. These insights laid the groundwork for a thoughtful, data-driven Gen AI integration strategy that aligned with both the firm’s operational goals and its commitment to professional excellence. This case demonstrates that listening to employees and addressing their specific concerns and aspirations is a key step in successfully integrating transformative technologies like Gen AI.

Providing Training and Education on Gen AI in Law

Successful integration of Gen AI depends on the technical competence and ethical awareness of a firm’s employees. Training and education are therefore essential. Law firms should design programs tailored to different roles within the organization, ensuring that attorneys, paralegals, and administrative staff are equipped to use Gen AI responsibly and effectively. Training should address three core areas: technical functionality, ethical considerations, and workflow adaptation.

Technical training should familiarize employees with the capabilities and limitations of the specific Gen AI tools being implemented. For example, they should learn how to interpret AI-generated outputs, refine prompts for improved results, and detect errors in the system’s responses. Ethical training should highlight issues such as confidentiality, bias, and the necessity of human oversight. Case studies—such as incidents where lawyers faced sanctions for unverified reliance on Gen AI—can underscore the importance of adhering to professional standards. Finally, training should demonstrate how Gen AI fits into existing workflows, clarifying how it complements traditional legal practices and enhances productivity.

Ongoing education is also critical as Gen AI tools evolve. Firms should invest in regular workshops or online modules to keep employees updated on new features, industry developments, and best practices. This commitment to continuous learning ensures that the workforce remains competent and confident in leveraging Gen AI effectively.

Establishing Clear Policies and Oversight for Gen AI in Law

Developing clear policies around the use of Gen AI is critical to maintaining accountability and minimizing risks. These policies should outline acceptable and unacceptable uses of Gen AI, ensuring consistency across the firm. For instance, guidelines might specify tasks where Gen AI is appropriate, such as drafting documents or conducting initial contract reviews, while reserving certain functions for human oversight.

Firms should also establish protocols requiring employees to verify the accuracy of Gen AI outputs before sharing them with clients or courts. A dedicated oversight team or committee can monitor compliance with these policies, assess the effectiveness of the Gen AI tools, and address any issues that arise. Furthermore, data use protocols should be implemented to ensure that sensitive information is handled securely and in compliance with ethical standards.

By combining thorough assessments, robust security measures, comprehensive training, and clear policies, law firms can integrate Gen AI in a way that maximizes its benefits while mitigating potential risks. These foundational steps pave the way for a responsible and effective adoption of this transformative technology.

The integration of Gen AI raises significant concerns about data security and confidentiality, especially in a profession where client information must be safeguarded. Gen AI tools often require processing large volumes of sensitive data, which can introduce vulnerabilities if not properly managed. To address this, firms must implement robust security measures and thoroughly vet potential Gen AI vendors. Questions to consider during vendor evaluations include whether the system uses encryption to protect data, anonymizes client information, and has strict access controls to prevent unauthorized use.

Firms should also explore options to process data locally rather than relying on cloud-based servers, which may present greater risks. In addition, internal protocols should clearly define how sensitive information is handled within Gen AI systems. For example, lawyers might be required to obtain explicit client consent before inputting case details into Gen AI tools. Regular audits of AI outputs and usage can further ensure that confidentiality is upheld. These proactive measures help maintain trust and compliance with both legal and ethical obligations.

Case Study: Overcoming Gen AI Integration Challenges at a Mid-Sized Law Firm

A mid-sized law firm with just over 150 staff members embarked on its journey to integrate Gen AI, drawn by its potential to streamline processes like document review, legal research, and client communication. Despite initial enthusiasm, the firm encountered significant challenges that threatened the project's success.

The firm’s Gen AI-powered document review system quickly drew criticism from junior associates, legal assistants, and paralegals who found the Gen AI's outputs rife with errors and lacking nuance. Instead of saving time, employees often had to correct mistakes, leading to frustration and skepticism about the technology's value. Additionally, fears of job displacement fueled resistance. Although leadership emphasized Gen AI’s role as an assistant, many, particularly junior associates handling initial legal research, perceived the technology as a threat to their roles.

To address these concerns, the firm brought me in as a consultant to help. I began by doing surveys and focus groups to assess concerns and priorities. Next, I organized workshops that clarified Gen AI's capabilities and limitations. We emphasized that Gen AI would manage repetitive tasks, freeing employees to engage in more complex legal work. Moreover, we underscored the irreplaceable value of human critical thinking, legal interpretation, and client relationships. As a result of these workshops, the firm saw a 30% improvement in employee satisfaction scores related to the use of new technology.

Despite these efforts, the integration faced another hurdle: organizational silos. For instance, the Gen AI system tasked with automating client onboarding required data from multiple departments, but a lack of collaboration led to delays and incomplete outputs. To overcome this, the firm established cross-functional teams to prioritize data sharing and collaboration. This structural adjustment streamlined workflows and enhanced the Gen AI’s performance, ultimately reducing onboarding time for new clients by 40%.

Through education, structural changes, and persistent effort, the firm gradually shifted its culture to embrace Gen AI. Over a 12-month period, the firm reported a 25% reduction in time spent on document review and a 20% increase in overall productivity, at least for the clients who approved the use of Gen AI for their cases. By the end of the integration process, employees recognized Gen AI as not just a tool for efficiency but also a catalyst for innovation and strategic legal work. The journey illuminated that successful Gen AI adoption requires addressing technical issues, managing employee concerns, and fostering a culture of adaptability.

Conclusion

The integration of Gen AI into law firms offers immense potential for transforming operations, from enhancing efficiency to fostering innovation. However, the journey requires thoughtful planning, adherence to ethical guidelines, and proactive management of organizational and employee challenges. By learning from real-world experiences, like the mid-sized law firm that overcame skepticism and structural barriers, firms can unlock Gen AI's full potential while upholding the profession’s high standards.

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 »

The American Bar Association (ABA), in its Formal Opinion 508, addressed the ethical considerations surrounding witness preparation. The ABA defined “effective preparatory guidance” as more than simply discussing anticipated testimony; it emphasized the need for comprehensive preparation to ensure accurate, credible, and truthful statements.

This article introduces an innovative model for witness preparation and methods of social sciences that integrates generative artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize witness statements. This method is designed to improve the quality of testimony for all witnesses expected to testify, whether laypersons or experts, while adhering to ethical and legal boundaries.

The Importance of Witness Preparation

Successful attorneys have long recognized the value of thorough witness preparation. This process often involves reviewing anticipated questions and answers, clarifying the witness’s role in the case, and addressing concerns about the courtroom environment. The preparation process is not merely about rehearsing testimony but about empowering witnesses to deliver truthful, accurate, and persuasive statements.

The importance of witness preparation was affirmed at a hearing in United States v. Brindley, 14-cr-0468 (N.D. Ill. 2015), a case that explored the limits of witness prepping. Brindley was accused of improperly coaching his witnesses by scripting potential answers to questions likely to arise at trial. While such practices are often scrutinized for their potential to cross ethical boundaries, the court ultimately found Brindley not guilty in a bench trial. The judge noted that exhaustive preparation is not only permissible but also essential for effective legal advocacy. Any competent trial attorney would never put a witness on the stand without thorough witness preparation, not unlike the ones performed by Mr. Brindley. 

The Brindley case underscores the fine line between permissible preparation and unethical coaching. Attorneys must ensure that their preparation methods are aimed at fostering truthful testimony without leading or influencing witnesses to provide false or misleading information. The case also highlights the effectiveness of traditional question-and-answer preparation methods, which remain widely used to help witnesses recall events accurately and confidently.

Goals of Witness Preparation

The goals of witness preparation are twofold:

1. Educating witnesses about the testimony process: This includes familiarizing them with courtroom procedures, the roles of different participants, and the types of questions they may encounter. Many witnesses, particularly laypersons, are unfamiliar with these aspects of a trial and may feel overwhelmed without proper guidance.
2. Enhancing communication skills: Witness preparation helps individuals convey their testimony clearly and confidently. This often involves addressing behavioral aspects, such as tone of voice, body language, and maintaining composure under pressure. Behavioral interventions, such as mock examinations and role-playing, are common tools to build confidence and reduce anxiety.

Despite its significance, witness preparation is sometimes undervalued or overlooked. Traditional methods, such as written handouts or video instructions, are insufficient for certain witnesses, possibly leading to inaccuracies or miscommunications during testimony. A lack of preparation can cause witnesses to fill memory gaps with guesses or fabrications, leaving their statements vulnerable to cross-examination.

Furthermore, a common misconception is that witnesses can simply “tell the truth” without preparation. While honesty is paramount, many witnesses are unaware of how to present their testimony effectively. Anxiety, fear, or a lack of understanding of courtroom dynamics can lead to nervous or inconsistent behavior, which may be misinterpreted as dishonesty. Proper preparation ensures that witnesses present themselves as truthful, credible, and persuasive, thereby advancing the overarching case theme.

Does Witness Preparation Work?

While attorneys have long relied on witness preparation as a critical component of trial strategy, empirical research on its effectiveness is relatively limited. However, studies in the social sciences support its usefulness:

• Increased credibility: Research indicates that prepared witnesses are perceived as being more credible because they use effective testimony delivery skills.  For example, a study by Boccaccini, Gordon, and Brodsky (2005) found that witness preparation training improved both the accuracy and perceived credibility of witnesses.
• Enhanced confidence: Prepared witnesses tend to project greater confidence, which positively influences juror perceptions. Confidence, as noted by Stiff and Miller (1986), is a key factor in persuading jurors and establishing witness credibility.
• Reduced anxiety: Effective preparation helps witnesses manage anxiety, enabling them to remain composed under cross-examination. Even witnesses with nothing to hide can benefit from these techniques, as nervousness or hesitation may otherwise be misinterpreted.
• Improved trial outcomes: Studies suggest that witness preparation can significantly influence trial outcomes. For example, Boccaccini (2002) noted that well-prepared witnesses are more likely to contribute to favorable verdicts. Similarly, Singer (1996) argued that preparation is essential for achieving trial success.

While traditional preparation methods are of questionable value, the integration of AI in addition to traditional witness preparation offers new opportunities to enhance the preparation process. By leveraging AI tools, attorneys can identify areas for improvement, provide targeted feedback, and optimize witness statements with unprecedented precision.

The Nordstrom Method for AI-Assisted Witness Preparation

The Nordstrom Method represents a modern approach to witness preparation, utilizing voice-to-text technology and AI analysis to refine witness statements. This method is designed to streamline the preparation process while enhancing the accuracy and credibility of testimony. This approach incorporates advanced AI tools that provide detailed insights into witness performance. 

The Nordstrom Method consists of three main stages.

1. Initial Session

The preparation process begins with an initial session where the witness is directed to a distraction-free environment, usually a conference room. In advance of this session, the attorney prepares a series of key questions addressing the fundamental aspects of the case: who, what, why, when, and where. These questions are tailored to the specific facts and circumstances of the case. There, of course, are additional case-specific topics the attorney will want to discuss.

The witness then records their responses using a voice-to-text device, such as an iPhone 16 Pro or a compact recorder like the PLAUD, a standalone wristwatch-sized recording device. The recorded statement should thoroughly address all relevant topics, including:

• Date, time, and environmental conditions: Details such as weather, lighting, and location can provide important context.
• Physical evidence: The witness should describe any photographs, contracts, or other tangible items relevant to the case.
• Conversations and actions taken: Recollection of verbal exchanges or specific actions is critical.
• Ongoing implications: Witnesses should address any ongoing medical, emotional, physical, educational, or financial effects.
• Impact on personal relationships: For example, how the incident affected the witness’s family and social dynamics.

The witness is instructed to provide clear, truthful, and factual statements without exaggeration. This session typically lasts less than an hour but forms the foundation for subsequent analysis and refinement.

2. AI Analysis

The recorded statement is then analyzed using AI tools to identify areas for improvement of the statement. AI algorithms can perform several key functions:

• Keyword analysis: AI generates a word cloud visualizing key concepts and word frequency, helping attorneys identify recurring themes or gaps in the witness’s statement.

• Emotional tone analysis: Sentiment analysis tools can also be used to evaluate the emotional tone of the witness’s responses, providing insights into their attitude and confidence levels. For example, AI may detect hesitation, frustration, or uncertainty in specific answers.
• Content optimization: AI suggests ways to clarify or enhance the witness’s responses, ensuring their testimony is concise and impactful.

This stage provides attorneys with valuable insight to guide future preparation sessions.

3. Follow-Up Session

In the follow-up session, the witness reviews a transcript of their statement, initially without the attorney present. This allows the witness to reflect on their responses while identifying areas for improvement. The attorney then joins the witness to discuss the statement’s strengths and weaknesses as presented by the AI program.

During this session, the attorney provides constructive feedback. Positive feedback is emphasized to build the witness’s confidence before addressing the specific areas for improvement while establishing rapport. This collaborative process ensures that the witness feels supported while making necessary adjustments to their testimony. The witness is then given the AI report to take home for further practice.

Finally, depending on the complexity of the case and the witness’s sophistication, additional sessions may be scheduled as needed. These additional sessions may also help address non-verbal communication, such as attire, posture, and body language, all of which play a significant role in juror perceptions.

Prepping Expert Witnesses

This method can also be adapted for expert witnesses, who often face more rigorous cross-examinations. AI tools can analyze prior testimony, identify potential vulnerabilities, and fact-check statements to ensure their consistency and accuracy.

Additionally, some advanced AI tools can evaluate micro-expressions and other facial cues from video recordings, providing insights into a witness’s emotional reactions and perceived truthfulness. These tools are particularly useful for assessing how expert witnesses may be received by jurors.

Despite the many positive features of AI technology, it is important to note that AI is a tool to assist attorneys, not a replacement for human judgment. Attorneys must carefully integrate AI-generated insights into their broader trial strategy, ensuring the witness statements align with the case theme and all ethical standards.

Witness preparation is an essential component of trial advocacy, beginning with the initial contact with the client and continuing throughout their representation. While the process requires significant time and resources, the benefits far outweigh the costs. Thorough preparation enhances the witness’s credibility, reduces anxiety, and increases the likelihood of favorable case outcomes in both settlements and trials.

The integration of AI into witness preparation represents a significant advancement in the way witnesses are prepared. By leveraging AI tools, attorneys can optimize witness statements, identify areas for improvement, and provide targeted feedback with unprecedented precision. This innovative approach not only enhances the quality of testimony but also improves the chances of settlement and trial success and eliminates the attorney stress knowing that the witness will perform as expected in court. 

Conclusion

Neglecting witness preparation can compromise a case, leaving unprepared witnesses vulnerable to cross-examination and misinterpretation. By embracing new technologies and methodologies, attorneys can ensure their witnesses are well-prepared to provide truthful, credible, and persuasive testimony.

Section and Committee Leaders Meet for Chair Orientation

On January 17, ISBA’s new section and committee chairs met in Indianapolis to discuss their roles and learn more about the ISBA. They watched an amazingly adept group of high school students demonstrate We the People, picked up new strategies for mentorship and pricing, and finished out the day by drafting value proposition statements to enhance their members’ experiences.

Inclusion Reference Guide Wins 2024 STAR Award for Exemplary Communications Program

ISBA’s Inclusion Reference Guide received the Indiana Society of Association Executives’ 2024 STAR Award for Exemplary Communications Program. This award recognizes innovative communication strategies within associations.

Developed with input from the ISBA Diversity, Latino Affairs, and Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Committees, the Inclusion Reference Guide provides definitions, language suggestions, best practices, and additional resources to those seeking to become more inclusive of their clients and colleagues. Learn more and access the guide »

Construction & Surety Law Section Updates Bylaws

The Construction & Surety Law Section updated its bylaws for the first time since the section was founded more than 20 years ago. Changes were accepted by the ISBA Board of Governors at their January meeting and included streamlining existing rules, updating voting and meeting requirements to better match current practices, and more.

Diversity Committee Sponsors IU McKinney Diversity Dinner

ISBA’s Diversity Committee is sponsoring IU McKinney’s Unity Dinner, hosted by the Asian Law Students Association, the Black Law Students Association, the Hispanic Law Society, the Lambda Law Society, and the AccessABILITY Student Union. The annual event celebrates individuals coming together to honor communities in the legal field and support students.

General Practice Section Seeking Hall of Fame Nominations

The General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section is accepting nominations for the ISBA General Practice Hall of Fame Award. This award recognizes outstanding members of the legal profession who demonstrate the highest standards of ethics and professional competency. Learn more and/or nominate a colleague »

Leadership Development Academy Committee Kicks Off 2025 Class

The Leadership Development Academy’s 13th class convened at Fort Benjamin Harrison in January for its first session. Professor Frank Sullivan, Jr. hosted an opening night reception at his house, Justice Mark Massa shared wisdom he’s learned over the years and guided conversation about the future of the profession, and Tiffany Lemons and Catherine Matthews led the class through a StrengthsFinder workshop. The program will pick up later this month at the Indiana Statehouse.

Pro Bono Committee Hosts Talk to a Lawyer Today: Clearing the Queue

On January 20, the Pro Bono Committee worked with county bar associations, pro bono agencies, and legal services across the state to offer free legal consultations through hotlines, walk-in clinics, and virtual sessions. ISBA members participated by answering legal questions on Indiana Free Legal Answers, a virtual legal advice clinic in which qualifying users post civil legal questions to be answered by pro bono attorneys.

The committee also continues to host walk-in legal clinics throughout the year, including a partnership with the Immigration Welcome Center on February 22 and their annual clinic series. Learn more about their work in this Res Gestae article »

If you are interested in volunteering at any of the clinics, please email Kim Latimore-Martin at klatimore-martin@inbar.org. 

Senior Lawyers Section Expands Membership Eligibility

The Senior Lawyers Section revised its bylaws to expand its membership, dropping the age of eligibility from 60 to 55. They also updated their mission statement, restating their focus on assisting attorneys before and after retirement. Additional bylaws changes included granting past chairs honorary council membership and stating intentions to try and include members of all backgrounds, identities, and circumstances within the council.

Women in the Law Committee Sponsors Bench Bar Scholarships

The Women in the Law Committee sponsored four local seniors through the Golden Gifts Donation Drive in December, supporting older adults in need during the holiday season.

The committee also awarded three law students full registration to the Women’s Bench Bar Retreat. Congratulations to Marie Burns from IU Maurer School of Law and Yoselin Fonseca and Chloe Edwards from IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law.

New this year, the committee is also providing two ISBA members reimbursement for the retreat through the Margret G. Robb Scholarship. All attorneys attending the ISBA Women’s Bench Bar Retreat are eligible to apply. Applications are due by February 26.

To apply, please email the following to IndianaWLAScholarships@gmail.com:

• A brief resume
• The reason you are applying for the scholarship
• If you have attended the retreat previously
• Why you want to attend the retreat this year
• What you hope to learn and/or experience 

Winners of the Margret G. Robb Scholarship will be announced at the retreat.

Connection Opportunities

• The Utility Law Section hosted their annual holiday party at the Lobby Bar in Indianapolis.
• Managing partners from across the state met at ISBA’s office to discuss practical ways their firm could start to maximize AI's potential, see what other firms were doing, and share additional pain points and questions.
• The Pro Bono Committee hosted their first walk-in legal clinic of the year at The Haverstick at the Crossing, serving over 40 Hoosiers with immigration and other legal needs.
• The Intellectual Property Section partnered with the IU McKinney Intellectual Property Student Association on a round-robin style networking reception.
• Twenty-five women associates met for the first in-person session of the 2025 Associate Empowerment Series.

Upcoming CLE and Socials

• Join the Women in the Law Committee for their 23rd annual Women’s Bench Bar Retreat this March in Plymouth, Indiana. Learn more »
• Preview the General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section’s SSFC 2025 content with this CLE on automation and AI on March 20. Learn more »
• The Animal Law Section is hosting an informal social at Half Liter Beer and BBQ Hall on March 23. Learn more »
• Save the date for the Utility Law Section’s Spring Seminar on May 2. Save the date »

Let Me Pick Your Brain: Using Inbar Connect to Increase Member Engagement

Many ISBA sections use Inbar Connect, a section-wide email distribution list that allows section members to ask each other questions, share relevant resources, and discuss upcoming events. If your section’s email distribution list is not as active as you’d like, take a page from the following section leaders who are attempting to garner more engagement.

The Tax Section’s 2025 chair sent a welcome message to all of his members, describing his goals for the year, introducing 2025 leadership, and inviting members to become more involved.

Dear Tax Section Members,

Happy New Year! I am excited and honored to lead the Tax Section in the coming year. I look forward to building upon the strong foundation established by our previous leaders and working with our outstanding leadership team to serve each of you.

Over the next year, I will be focused on increasing engagement between section members and with students. The executive team and I have already begun working on developing additional CLE offerings and exploring opportunities to engage with our law schools and law students.

I want to express my gratitude to our outgoing Chair, Adria Price, for her exemplary leadership and dedication over the past year. Her contributions have strengthened our section significantly, and I am grateful that she will continue to share her expertise and insight as a member of the executive committee. 

This year the Council has created a new "Advisor" position to expand engagement opportunities within our section. While non-voting in nature, this role is designed to bring additional perspectives to our leadership structure and provide an additional avenue for members to participate in section governance. Advisors will work closely with Council members on various initiatives, contribute to policy discussions, and help shape the future direction of our section. We believe this addition will strengthen our section by creating a pipeline for future leadership and providing more opportunities for experienced members to contribute their expertise and ideas.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can become more involved with the section, please feel free to contact me or any of the council members directly.

On behalf of the whole Council, I look forward to another productive year serving our members and the Indiana legal community. As always, we welcome your input and participation in section activities. Please be on the lookout for new events throughout the year as we seek to build on the momentum of 2024.

The Business Law Section is seeking member input on CLE topics and speakers, and asking members to chime in on how the section should use the listserv.

Happy 2025 Section Members! The CLE/Social Subcommittee is looking forward to planning some great events for this year but we would like to hear from you. We want to make sure that the programming we provide is going to be beneficial to you and your practice. Do you have any CLE topics you would like to see addressed this year? Would you be interested in being a speaker or do you know someone who has given a presentation that might be of interest to other section members? Please feel free to respond in this thread or reach out to me at the email address below if you have ideas or if you are interested in possibly being a speaker or know someone we might reach out to. We look forward to hearing from you. 

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Good afternoon, Business Law Section Members! One of the goals our section Council has set for this term is to increase member engagement through wider utilization of this listserv as a resource for discussion and collaboration. Whether you have a quick question on a topic or want to pick the hive-mind, this platform may help you get an answer or make a connection, and it may also help the rest of the section learn something too.  

The Section Council has discussed the possibility of sending out a fun message from time to time to bolster engagement. Some suggestions have been in the realm of brain-teasers and fun facts. Let us know if you have ideas or submissions that might be fun for the section members to try to work out! 

We do understand that our inboxes are full as it is and sometimes these listservs can get burdensome or ignored. The Inbar Connect How-to guide, located in the main Inbar Connect banner, includes instructions on how to change you Notification settings so you can receive message Digests, rather than a new message every time a section member contributes to a post.

Looking forward to seeing your discussions!

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 Gentleman’s Rule and the Rule of Law. View CLE »
• Animal Law Section | Family Violence and Animal Cruelty: How Prosecuting Animal Abuse Can Save Lives. View CLE »
• Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Section | Raising the Bar: The Vital Role Paralegals and Legal Assistants Play in Bankruptcy Relief. View CLE »
• Alternative Dispute Resolution Section | Nuances in Neutrality. View CLE »
  

ISBA Members in the Wild

ISBA Leaders Gather at Great Rivers Conference

ISBA President Michael Jasaitis and Executive Director Joe Skeel attended the 2024 Great Rivers Bar Conference in San Antonio in October. This annual gathering brings together leaders from nine Midwest state bar associations to discuss trends, provide insights, and solve common challenges. Key conversations this year focused on the attorney shortage, member engagement, and more.

ISBA Members Admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court

In November, ten ISBA members traveled to Washington, D.C., to be sworn into the U.S. Supreme Court. They met with Chief Justice Roberts, toured the nation’s capital, and were admitted before all Supreme Court justices. Interested in attending in the future? Fill out this interest form »

Congratulations to this year’s inductees:

• Hon. Kelly Benjamin, Bartholomew County Circuit Court
• Sarah Brinkley, Brinkley Law
• Hon. Stephanie Campbell, Fountain Circuit Court
• Christine Douglas, Douglas Family Law LLC
• Jonathan Hughes, Bose McKinney & Evans LLP
• David Jones, Law Office of David P. Jones
• James Moloy, Bose McKinney & Evans LLP
• Laura Scott, Farmer Scott Ozete Robinson & Schmitt LLP
• Hon. AmyMarie Travis, Jackson Superior Court 1
  

On November 14, Senior Judge Margret Robb of the Indiana Court of Appeals was inducted into the Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal (CCJSCA) Hall of Fame. This honor recognizes members who provide extraordinary service and advance CCJSCA’s mission. Judge Robb was nominated for her efforts to “give back” to each community the conference visited—including creating a book drive that has since become a hallmark of the organization’s outreach—her numerous awards and accolades, and her leadership as the council’s 2019 president.

Welcome New Leadership

Many ISBA sections and committees introduced their 2024-25 officers. Please welcome the new chairs and chair-elects of the following groups:

• Affiliate Membership Committee—Chair: Lauren K. Jones
• Alternative Dispute Resolution Section—Chair: Rebecca L. Billick; Vice Chair: Amy L. Stewart
• Agricultural Law Section—Chair: John Shoup; Chair-Elect: Jeff Cummins
• Appellate Practice Section—Chair: Hon. Leanna K. Weissmann; Chair-Elect: Jane Dall Wilson
• Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Section—Chair: Shawn D. Cox; Chair-Elect: Katherine E. Iskin
• Business Law Section—Chair: Paraskevi “Patty” Xidias; Chair Elect: Randall Cloe
• Criminal Justice Section—Chair: Amy Karozos; Vice Chair: Mike Cunningham
• Construction & Surety Law Section—Chair: Brain M. Falcon; Chair-Elect: Patrick A. Drewry
• Diversity Committee—Co-Chairs: Alex Van Gorp and Shelley Gupta
• Elder Law Section—Chair: Cara M. Chittenden; Chair-Elect: Tamara R. Carpenter
• Employment, Labor & Benefits Law Section—Chair: Elizabeth M. Roberson; Chair-Elect: Courtney E. Endwright
• Intellectual Property Section—Chair: Charles M. Fox; Chair-Elect: Dominic M. Yobbi
• Leadership Development Academy Committee—Co-Chairs: April Keaton and Katherine Tapp
• Litigation Section—Chair: Aaron C. Medley; Chair-Elect: Patrick I. Jones
• Probate, Trust & Real Property Section—Chair: Elizabeth A. Homes; Chair-Elect: Paige Freitag
• Senior Lawyers Section—Chair: Robert A. Garelick; Chair-Elect: Mary J. Hoeller
• Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Committee—Co-Chairs: Ellen Pactor and Wenxi Lu
• Tax Section—Chair: Hon. Justin McAdam; Chair-Elect: Dan Shackle
• Utility Law Section—Chair: Tiffany Murray; Chair-Elect: Lauren Aguilar
• Young Lawyers Section—Chair: Matthew R. Land; Chair-Elect: Elizabeth A. Klesmith

Affiliate Membership Committee Names 2024 Cathy Canny Award Winner

The Affiliate Membership Committee honored Tracey Clark, a paralegal and accounting administrator at Church Church Hittle & Antrim, with the 2024 Cathy Canny Award of Excellence.

The Cathy Canny Award is given to an affiliate member who exemplifies courageous, visionary leadership in raising the bar of professionalism for paralegals throughout Indiana. In her 15+ years with CCHA Law, Tracy has “embodie[d] the qualities of dedication, the essence of professional excellence, and leadership within the legal community.” Her honesty and transparency, her volunteer work, and her unwavering commitment to ethical standards have made her a highly regarded peer. Please join us in congratulating Tracey!

Bankruptcy Section Provides Feedback on Bankruptcy Appellate Panel

The Seventh Circuit is contemplating the creation of a Bankruptcy Appellate Panel. In forming their decision, they asked Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Section members to share their thoughts through a survey.

Land Use and Zoning Reviews Potential Legislation

The Land Use and Zoning Section reviewed mock legislation for Indiana’s 2025 legislative session, offering feedback on proposed amendments to Indiana Code concerning land use proceedings.

Leadership Development Academy Committee Announces 13th Class

The Leadership Development Academy (LDA) Committee selected 24 emerging leaders to join the LDA Class of 2025. Learn more »

Meet the Class of 2025:

• Lauren Berger, Biesecker Dutkaynch & Macer LLC, Jasper
• Lacey Berkshire, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, Indianapolis
• Nick Brady, Plews Shadley Racher & Braun, Indianapolis
• Samantha Chapman, The Humane Society of the United States, Fishers
• Todd Coffeen, Quarles & Brady, LLP, Noblesville
• Chelsea Crawford, Chelsea R. Crawford Attorney at Law, Kirklin
• Brandon Curl, Kahn, Dees, Donovan & Kahn, Evansville
• Shelley Gupta, Health and Hospital Corporation, Indianapolis
• Ashley Hart, Indiana Judges & Lawyers Assistance Program, Franklin
• Jonathan Harwell, Harwell Gray Legal Counsel, LLC, Indianapolis
• Mark Holwager, Holwager & Holwager Attorneys at Law, P.C., Beech Grove
• Matthew Kroes, Marc Lopez Law, Indianapolis
• Ashley Moise, Indiana Office of Court Services, Indianapolis
• Trevor Oakerson, Wayne County Public Defender’s Office, Winchester
• Amy Osborne, Office of the Indiana Attorney General, Greenfield
• Mag. Matthew Raper, St. Joseph Superior Court, South Bend
• Tim Stucky, Kightlinger & Gray, LLP, Sellersburg
• Cortney Sweat, May Oberfell Lorber, LLP, Mishawaka
• Elizabeth Terrell, Terrell Group LLC, Martinsville
• Daniel Timm, CCSK Law/LaPorte County Government, Valparaiso
• Megan Torres, Beckman Lawson, LLP, Fort Wayne
• Elizabeth Walker, Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, Indianapolis
• Christine Walsh, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, Indianapolis
• Levy Wash, Fisher Maas Howard Lloyd & Wheeler P.C., Fishers

Women in the Law Committee Announces 23rd Annual Retreat

Discover the intersection between law and medicine at the 23rd Women’s Bench Bar Retreat. This annual event brings together attorneys and judges from across the state for a mix of CLEs, social events, and opportunities to connect and mentor the next generation of legal professionals. This year’s retreat will be held at Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, Indiana. Learn more and register »

Connection Opportunities

• The Affiliate Membership Committee worked with Churchill Reporting to throw a social for paralegals and legal assistants. Members met at Penn & Beech to pour their own candles, then headed over to The Garage for dinner.
• The Construction & Surety Law Section held their annual meeting, learned about contractor and design errors under a builder’s risk policy, and celebrated the season.
• The Intellectual Property and Business Law Sections teamed up for a happy hour at The Tap Mass Ave, providing the opportunity for practitioners to get to know each other.
• For the first time since before the pandemic, the Probate, Trust & Real Property Section held their Probate Review Committee meeting in person. After the CLE, they met up with colleagues at a sold-out St. Elmo’s reception.
• The Tax Section held their annual State Tax Reception and meeting at Ice Miller.
• The Utility Law Section met for their annual Fall Seminar, discussing cyberthreats and privacy challenges, electrification initiatives in the state, and touring the DC Nanogrid and ReNEWW Houses in West Lafayette.
• Nearly 60 judges, young lawyers, and law students dined together at the Young Lawyers Section’s Dinner with the Judiciary event.

Upcoming CLE and Socials

• Join the Pro Bono Committee on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as they attempt to clear out waiting questions on Indiana Legal Answers. The committee has put together a 5.0 hr. CLE/1.0 hr. Ethics bundle to help you catch up on the most commonly asked pro bono questions. Learn more »
• The Utility Law Section is celebrating section members and employees of the IURC and OUCC at their annual holiday party in Indianapolis. Learn more »
• Learn about the connection between domestic violence and animal cruelty in the Animal Law Section’s CLE on December 12. 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!

• Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Section | Bankruptcy Trustee Demand Letters: What They Mean and How to Respond. View CLE »
• Criminal Justice Section | Sentencing Refresher: Key Considerations Before, During, and After a Trial. View CLE »
• Where GenAI and Ethics Collide! View CLE »
• Review of Ordinance Violation Cases. View CLE »
• Open Conversations: Local Bar Presidents. View CLE »
• Serving Immigrant Communities in Indiana: Call to Action for Legal Service Providers. View CLE »
  

Annual Summit: Solving Indiana’s Attorney Shortage

ISBA members and leaders gathered on the north side of Indianapolis this week to celebrate the year’s accomplishments, announce new leadership, and tackle one of the profession’s largest challenges—Indiana’s attorney shortage. Here’s a recap:

• House of Delegates: ISBA’s House of Delegates heard reports from ISBA President Tom Felts, Indiana’s delegation to the ABA House of Delegates, the Indiana Supreme Court, and the Indiana Bar Foundation.
• Leadership Elections: Steve Hoar was elected as 2024-25 House of Delegates (HOD) Chair-Elect, while Judge Betsy Bellin assumed her role as HOD Chair. Nine candidates were also approved for open board positions. View your 2024-25 Board of Governors »
• Presidential Citations: Outgoing President Tom Felts recognized Loretta Oleksy, April Keaton, Jackie Pillar, Joel Schumm, and Cheryl Sullivan and Hon. Frank Sullivan, Jr. for their contributions this year.
• New President: Michael Jasaitis was officially named ISBA president for 2024-25.

The Attorney Shortage

ISBA has been studying the attorney shortage for the past year and invited Summit attendees to share their input and help potentially reshape the delivery of legal service in our state. ISBA staff and the Indiana Supreme Court’s Commission on Indiana’s Legal Future presented research. Attendees then participated in a series of breakout sessions, discussing the challenges and potential solutions through three frames: broadening pathways to licensure, exploring alternative forms of licensure and/or practice models, and increasing opportunities for practitioners and legal services in rural Indiana.

ISBA staff will now compile the insights shared at the Summit and draft a strategic plan to guide our efforts moving forward. Keep an eye out for ways to get involved.

ISBA Members in the Wild

ISBA Members Attend ABA Annual Meeting

ISBA members Melissa Avery, Jimmie McMillian, Samantha DeWester, Elliott Hostetter, Steve Hoar, Mike Jasaitis, and Shontrai Irving represented Indiana at the ABA House of Delegates Annual Meeting this August. The ABA House passed several reports this year, including one advocating the removal of domestic violence victim disclosures from bar applicants (Report 800) and another supporting judicial security (Report 516). For more key topics, read “Key Topics from ABA Delegates Meeting” by the Indiana Lawyer »

ISBA Members Named to 2024 Class of Diversity in Law Honorees

Congratulations to the ISBA members recognized by the Indiana Lawyer for their contributions to diversify the Hoosier legal profession this year:

• Zechariah Banks
• Kate Erdel
• Hon. Ryan Gardner
• Hon. Charnette Garner
• Shontrai Irving
• Katie Jackson-Lindsay
• Stacy Walton Long
• Shamika Mazyck
• Max Siegel
• Freedom Smith
• Hon. Stephanie Steele
• Finis Tatum IV
• Brett Thomas

View the full list of Diversity in Law honorees »

Animal Law Section Sponsors Pups & Brews Event

The Animal Law Section teamed up with the Indianapolis Bar Association to host “Pups and Brews: A Civic Event for You and Your Pet” at Metazoa Brewing. Attendees helped raise funds for FACE Low-Cost Animal Clinic, a clinic that offers low cost spay/neuter, vaccine, and preventative services.

GP, SSF Section Releases LPM Webinars

The General Practice, Solo & Small Firm (GP, SSF) Section’s Law Practice Management Committee has released a series of free on-demand CLE courses addressing law practice management topics:

• Cybersecurity, Confidentiality and Contingency (1.0 hr. CLE/0.5 hr. Ethics). View CLE »
• Managing a Caseload Responsibly (1.0 hr. CLE/1.0 hr. Ethics). View CLE »
• Core Practice Software/Hardware/Case Management Platforms (1.0 hr. CLE). View CLE »
• Revenue and Budgeting (0.9 hr. CLE). View CLE »
• Best Invoicing Practices: Before, During and After the Representation (0.9 hr. CLE). View CLE »

The section is also tee’ing up for the 2025 Solo & Small Firm Conference (SSFC) in French Lick. The planning committee has already held their first retreat and are ready to provide a hole in one conference. Mark your calendars for June 5-7, 2025. Learn more about SSFC »

Health Law Section Surveying Members

The Health Law Section is surveying its members to gather feedback on what makes a quality program—from the preferred timing and topics to the level of travel involved. Help shape future programming by completing the survey »

Pro Bono Committee Hosts Final Walk-In Clinic of the Year

ISBA’s Pro Bono Committee, in partnership with One More Non-Profit, has hosted four walk-in legal clinics this year. The clinics provided assistance with expungements, landlord-tenant issues, immigration, and more to Hoosiers from across the state. Thank you to the many volunteers who made these clinics possible!

YLS Sponsors “Over the Edge” Fundraising Event

The Young Lawyers Section (YLS) sponsored Elizabeth Klesmith at the Youth Service Bureau of St. Joseph County’s "Over the Edge" fundraiser, where participants rappelled down the Robertson’s Building to raise money for youth experiencing homelessness. Libby raised nearly $3,000, with YLS being the lead sponsor in her campaign.

Connection Opportunities

• The Agricultural Law Section toured Corteva Agriscience Headquarters and discussed regulatory processes, litigation, and patents in the ag industry.
• The Elder Law Section gathered for dinner and drinks after the 2024 Elder Law Institute.
• Judge Ronald Buch of the United States Tax Court and representatives from the IRS met with the Tax Section.
• The Well-Being Committee sponsored a team at the 2024 Indianapolis Out of the Darkness Community Walk.
• The Environmental Law Section discussed corporate restructuring and the overturning of the Chevron doctrine at their summer CLE and social.
• Law students, attorneys, and judicial officers from across the state met at the Women in the Law Committee’s Sisters in the Law Social.
• The Litigation Section celebrated five years of Indiana’s commercial courts at its annual symposium (recordings of all sessions are available on ISBA’s on-demand library).
• The Criminal Justice Section enjoyed a baseball game and networking at Victory Field.

Upcoming CLE and Socials

• The Intellectual Property and Business Law Sections are hosting a joint networking event at the Tap Mass Ave. Learn more »
• The Criminal Justice Section is providing a refresher on sentencing procedures, from pre-trial to sentencing to post-trial. Learn more »
• The Utility Law Section is hosting a two-day fall seminar in October, and has opened registration for its annual holiday party this December.
• Meet with judges and justices from Indiana’s Court of Appeals, Tax Court, Supreme Court, and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana at the Young Lawyers Section’s Dinner with the Judiciary. Learn more »
• Join other paralegals and the Affiliate Membership Committee for a candle pouring experience and dinner. Learn more »
• The Alternative Dispute Resolution Section will help you choose the most appropriate method of dispute resolution among collaborative law, mediation, binding and non-binding arbitration, and special masters in this virtual CLE program. Learn more »
• Discuss the latest probate legislation with the Probate Review Committee then meet for heavy appetizers and drinks at the Probate, Trust & Real Property Section’s reception. 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!

• Affiliate Membership Committee | 2024 Paralegal Symposium
  • Elevate Your Efficiency with Exciting Enhancements in Microsoft Office. View CLE »
  • Lexis + AI: Revolutionizing Legal Research. View CLE »
  • Advanced Legal Research Techniques: Fastcase/vLex. View CLE »
• Litigation Section | 2024 Litigation Symposium: The Benefits of Indiana’s Commercial Courts
  • Introduction to Indiana’s Commercial Courts. View CLE »
  • Clerks, Key Cases, and Legal Precedents. View CLE »
  • Practical Insights. View CLE »
  • Procedural Rules and Practices/Technology in the Courtroom. View CLE »
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution in Commercial Courts. View CLE »
  • Judges Roundtable Discussion. View CLE »
• Agricultural Law and Tax Law Sections | Agricultural Land Assessment, Base Rate, and Appeals. View CLE »
• Intellectual Property Section | An Overview of the FTC’s New Non-Compete Rule. View CLE »
  

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 »

ISBA Members in the Wild

2024 Leadership in Law Awards

This May, the Indiana Lawyer honored outstanding members of the legal profession at the 2024 Leadership in Law awards. Several ISBA members were recognized for their contributions to the legal field. Congratulations to the following and all honorees:

• Hon. Tanya Walton Pratt, Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree
• Anthony Scott Chinn, Distinguished Barrister
• Hon. Charnette Garner, Distinguished Barrister
• Brian Hewitt, Distinguished Barrister
• James Hinshaw, Distinguished Barrister
• Richard Kissel, II, Distinguished Barrister
• Suzannah Overholt, Distinguished Barrister
• Amy Romig, Distinguished Barrister
• Michael Tolbert, Distinguished Barrister
• Rakuya Trice, Distinguished Barrister
• James Watson, Distinguished Barrister
• Nabeela Virjee, Up & Coming Lawyer
• Tyler John Moorhead, Up & Coming Lawyer
• Caroline Brinster, Up & Coming Lawyer
• Emily Schmale, Up & Coming Lawyer
• Brett Thomas, Up & Coming Lawyer
• Alex Van Gorp, Up & Coming Lawyer
• Aaron Rodebeck, Up & Coming Lawyer
• Chasity Thompson Osborn, Legal Support Star

The 2024 Match of the Year: Bob Rath

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana (BBBSCI) is an organization committed to building a network of supportive relationships and creating a community that is better together. It serves 1,100+ youth annually in Hamilton, Johnson, and Marion Counties, with nearly 950 matches served this year alone. Bob Rath, Chief Innovation Officer with the Indiana Supreme Court Office of Judicial Administration, and Xavier are one such match. Paired since October 2020, the two have gone hiking at Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park, learned Spanish, and more, and were recently named one of BBBSCI’s 2024 Matches of the Year. Learn more »

A Paralegal in South Korea

ISBA member Kristy Gordon has been living in South Korea for the past few months, preparing for a legal career abroad. Kristy arrived in Jinhae, South Korea in November 2023 and has spent her time since teaching English, networking with law firms, and taking online courses in preparation for law school and finding employment in South Korea’s legal field. But between Korean language classes and exploring the area, Kristy remains involved in ISBA section and committee work.

(From Songdo Beach)

Thank You Section Sponsors

Section sponsorships have helped make two programs successful in the past two months. Support for the Leadership Development Academy (LDA) helped provide scholarships for class members who otherwise may not have afforded the program. And support for this spring’s etiquette dinner at IU Maurer enabled law students to not only pick up important etiquette tips but to also find their first connections to Indiana’s legal community. As one student noted: “It was exciting hearing from practicing attorneys and getting the opportunity to learn about their time in law school and how they transitioned into lawyering.”

Committees Contribute to ISBA Inclusion Reference Guide

ISBA released an Inclusion Reference Guide to provide guidance for legal professionals who wish to be as precise in addressing people as they are in drafting the terms of a contract. The guide is broken into four primary sections—ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation, disability, and language of origin—and each section provides definitions, language suggestions, tips for legal professionals, and additional resources.

The guide was written by ISBA with feedback from organizations who are the authority figures in their fields, including three ISBA committees: Diversity, Latino Affairs, and Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity. Read the guide »

Affiliate Committee Opens Nominations for Cathy Canny Award

The Affiliate Membership Committee is accepting nominations for the 2024 Cathy Canny Award of Excellence. The award honors ISBA affiliate members (paralegals, court administrators, law librarians, and legal administrators) who exemplify courageous leadership in raising the bar of professionalism for paralegals throughout Indiana. Please nominate a paralegal or legal staff member who demonstrates how indispensable affiliate members are to a legal team. Complete a nomination »

Family Law Announces Gale M. Phelps Recipient

The Family & Juvenile Law Section Gale M. Phelps Award recognizes family law attorneys who work diligently to raise the standards of professionalism in the field. Its 2024 winner, Nancy Cross, does exactly that. As one nominator noted, “Nancy is the epitome of a family law mentor and example. She brings the best qualities to the practice of family law; she is an effective and skilled advocate, an excellent mediator, is practical in her approach, strives always to be part of the solution and not part of the problem, and does a great job balancing the need to be empathetic with clients and at the same time give them direct and accurate legal advice.” Please join us in congratulating Nancy!

GP, SSF Hosts Another Successful SSFC, Announces Hall of Fame Award Recipient

The 22nd ISBA Solo & Small Firm Conference kicked off earlier this month in French Lick, Indiana. Hundreds of practitioners flooded the area for structured and unstructured connection opportunities, practical takeaways, business solutions, and more. The conference is an annual reminder of how together we build a better neighborhood—whether that neighborhood is our local communities and colleagues, or a color party in the West Baden atrium.

The General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section also announced the recipient of its 2024 Hall of Fame award at the conference. Congratulations to Patrick Olmstead! As one nominator shared, “His reputation is highly regarded among the bar members. His tenacity is noted by many, his dedication to Notre Dame and his family are renown and make him a role model at the highest levels.”

12th Class of LDA Graduates

Twenty-five attorneys graduated from the Leadership Development Academy in May. The class spent five months traveling across the state—hearing from top speakers (including nearly every justice on the Indiana Supreme Court, the Evansville mayor, and Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Lindsay Weaver, just to name a few), playing paintball in the rain, watching baseball from the country’s third-oldest stadium, and exploring the unique challenges of Indiana’s communities. Throughout the program, they have learned what it means (and what it takes) to be a local leader, how to support their communities, and how to step up and make a difference. Please join us in congratulating the graduates.

Probate Review Committee Considers Indiana’s Guardianship Code

The Probate, Trust & Real Property Section’s Probate Review Committee is considering modernizing Indiana’s Guardianship Code. They invite attorneys and legal professionals who practice in the area of guardianships to complete a survey and better inform recommendations to be made in the upcoming legislative session. Take the survey »

Tax Section Awards Three Student Scholarships

Each year, the Tax Section awards a $1,000 scholarship (recently renamed the Judge Martha Blood Wentworth Excellence in Tax Scholarship) to Indiana students who demonstrate academic excellence and commitment to the study and practice of law. This year, the section awarded $1,000 to three Indiana law students:

• Christopher Clerc is pursuing his LL.M at IU McKinney after spending a decade as a public defender and attorney for the Indiana Department of Child Services. He hopes to broaden his understanding of state and federal taxation through his studies, so that he can transition into a practice centered on tax law.
• Jason Gray is an upcoming 3L at IU Maurer. After working in corporate accounting for a nonprofit, he’s taken the next step and pursuing a legal career in tax work.
• Logan Bromm, a 3L at IU McKinney, is a founding member of McKinney’s Tax Law Society. He will be spending his summer in the IRS Office of Chief Counsel’s Honors Attorney Recruitment Program, working directly with taxpayers to investigate and resolve tax disputes, before graduating in December.

Please join us in congratulating these students!

Additional Activities

• The Affiliate Membership Committee gathered over 100 paralegals for their award-winning Paralegal Symposium. This annual seminar is developed exclusively for paralegals, by paralegals, with virtual programming created to help them thrive in their careers.
• The Animal Law Section hosted a career panel at IU McKinney in conjunction with the IU McKinney Animal Legal Defense Fund. Section members spoke on their careers and work in the field and connected with law students
• The Appellate Practice Section hosted students, practitioners, and judges at their Evening with the Appellate Judges CLE and reception.
• Practitioners and race fans alike met at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to discuss mediation and employment law and watch the Sonsio Grand Prix qualifications, at a CLE and social hosted by the Employment, Labor & Benefits Law Section.
• The Pro Bono Committee hosted the third walk-in clinic of their series this year. Volunteers and committee members helped members of the public with expungements, landlord-tenant issues, immigration, and more.

Upcoming CLE and Socials

• The Agricultural Law Section is hosting a networking event at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on Wednesday, July 31. Meet with industry leaders, national figures, and others immersed in the agricultural field and get a complimentary ticket to the Indiana State Fair. Learn more »
• Learn all about Indiana’s expungement law and the ethical considerations you should keep in mind in a 1.0 hr. virtual CLE presented by the Criminal Justice Section. Learn more »
• The Family & Juvenile Law Section is hosting a summer social at Spencer Farm Winery on Friday, June 28. Meet with other family law attorneys and judges, enjoy a wine tasting, and listen to live music. Learn more »
• The FTC has issued a final rule relating to the use of non-compete clauses in contracts. Learn more about this rule and its practical impact in this CLE put on by the Intellectual Property Section. Learn more »
• Join the Senior Lawyers Section for a CLE presentation on how to best prepare for your post-law life. Then stick around for dinner and “The Best of John Williams with Jack Everly” at Symphony on the Prairie. Learn more »

Emerson: This is Andy Emerson. It’s September 29, 2009, and I’m in Indianapolis with John Sharpnack, Senior Judge of the Indiana Court of Appeals, concerning the Oral History Project of the Senior lawyers Section of the Indiana State Bar Association and the Indiana Historical Society. Judge Sharpnack, you were born in Columbus, Indiana and you went to college originally at the University of Cincinnati.

Sharpnack: Correct

Emerson: And as a matter of fact you went to law school at Cincinnati, where you were editor in chief of the law review and a member of the Order of the Coif.

Sharpnack: I never had formed the real notion of being a lawyer, although my father was a lawyer, my grandpa was a lawyer, my uncle was a lawyer, but as my time in the Army wound down I, well there was a sergeant in our unit who was involved with field operations intelligence and he thought I’d be pretty good at that for some reason. I did get interested in perhaps joining the CIA. So I filled out this huge application and I ended up getting an interview in Washington. CIA was not out in Langley then; it was downtown Washington. I remember going there to get an interview. I’d never read Le Carré novels at that point because he hadn’t written them, but I felt very much like somebody special when I walked down to CIA headquarters. Well, any way, I was interviewed and I said I was interested in going to law school at that point. They said “Well, we got all the lawyers we need and if we hired you we’d teach you some language and you’d read newspapers in that language and write reports on what you read.” So I dropped that and, somewhat by default, went to law school. I really never had any specific plans about that. I looked at the possibility of IU and Cincinnati. I was a resident of Cincinnati and the difference in price made it clear that Cincinnati was the place.

Emerson: Well you obviously were very successful in law school. The editor in chief of the Law Review.

Sharpnack: Well I’d been a pretty mediocre student though I was lucky enough to go to Walnut Hills High School which is a college preparatory public high school in Cincinnati. It still is there and it is still able to require you to take an entrance exam to see if they will let you in. They take people from all over Cincinnati and out of Cincinnati and my stepfather, in particular, wanted me to go there. I had gone to grade school, Parochial school and I think he wanted me to broaden my horizons. So anyway, I went to Walnut Hills and got a very good education there, but I didn’t do all that well grade-wise. I was more, somewhat more, of a cut-up than I was a student but when I got to law school, there was something about law and studying law that really caught me and I got into it.

Emerson: Obviously you did very well. Then you graduated from law school in 1960 and went to work for the Department of Justice. You were there for 3 years.

Sharpnack: Yes

Emerson: Then you went back to your original hometown of Columbus.

Sharpnack: I went to Columbus, went in with the firm with my father, took a pay cut going from the government to Columbus and I was an associate for about a year and then I became, I think I became a partner when Lee Hamilton left.

Emerson: You reminded me. My first job out of law school, which was earlier, 1953, I started with a fairly substantial firm in South Bend and got paid $45 a week and would you care to tell me what your income was in your first year?

Sharpnack: When I went to the firm, I think I got $6,500 a year.

Emerson: Oh, impressive sum.

Sharpnack: Yeah, and when I went to the Department of Justice, I think I got something like $7,200 and then there was a general raise shortly after that. When I first got the job, I was the highest paid graduate in my class.

Emerson: One of those areas in which times have changed.

Sharpnack: Well, there have been some enormous changes in the time that I’ve been a lawyer and a judge. For example, ADR was – I think maybe we had the rules at that point. It was essentially not around, it was arbitration. But mediation and all that stuff, that’s all occurred since I’ve been on the bench. It is somewhat foreign to me although I did take a course in mediation. That device there – the technology changes – I remember – we got a tape recorder for recording statements and things and we thought that was fantastic. We first had typewriters and then we upgraded to the Selectic Typewriter, a little ball that used to jump around.

Emerson: Oh, yes.

Sharpnack: And then we got the MagCards.

Emerson: So the secretary didn’t have to type the same words 40 times.

Sharpnack: And then there for a while there was the typewriter that put oh, maybe five or six words on there and sort of trailed where you were and as long as they were on there, you could change that. And then the MagCard was IBM’s first thing and I remember when we first went to the MagCard – I mean right now a MagCard seems like old Babylonia clay tablets; but at that time it was pretty high tech. Tom Bigley, Sr., insisted that we put the MagCard in the back where nobody could see it because he thought it would be not helpful for clients to realize how quickly we could generate paperwork. And, of course, somewhere after that we got to the point where we wanted people to see that we had modern equipment. But, at first it was kind of like the first machinery. This machine’s going to put me out of business, so throw your wooden shoe in it. But those are big changes. And, of course, women in the bar has changed considerably.

Emerson: Were there any women in your law school class?

Sharpnack: There was one for a while but not when we graduated. There was one in the class ahead of us and I think one in the class behind us; and that was kind of it. Now, Cincinnati’s a fairly small law school. We had 40 in our class. I think now they’re up to 100 plus. But, when I came to Columbus, well let’s see – the Department of Justice – I don’t believe there were any women. Pretty sure about that.

Emerson: What about the decline in civility?

Sharpnack: Well, there’s always a lot of talk about that. I’m not – in my own experience, I can’t say that I’ve seen – I mean things weren’t always all that civil in the old days.

Emerson: Okay.

Sharpnack: But I think the biggest problem with civility may be that, for example, in a small community, you’re with each other all the time. I try a case with you today, I’m going to be with you again a week from today. In larger communities, people may never see each other again. And I think there’s something more of a tendency to be uncivil in those circumstances. The other thing is, and this may be something that’s increased, is I think there’s been some growth – of course, I haven’t been in a court room now for some time.

Emerson: Yeah.

Sharpnack: I think there is something of a growth of the idea – and I see this – I teach a lot – teach trial advocacy and teach deposition taking. I see some of this. There are people who think bulldozing and aggressive behavior is the way to represent your client.

Emerson: You mean “Winning by intimidation?”

Sharpnack: And I expect occasionally they do, but for the most part, I don’t think it’s very effective and if you’re up against somebody who’s really pretty good you’re going to end up in trouble doing it. I think civility is important. And I’m not sure – because so many people say it’s worse now; maybe it is worse. But as I say we had instances of incivility in the – Leon Cline was a lawyer that I tangled with very often. And, Leon – I forget who started this, but either I sent to Leon or Leon sent to me, a certified letter about something. And there had to be a signed receipt which meant you had to go down to the post office and sign the receipt to get the letter. “Okay, so here’s one for you, Leon.” And I sent him one. So we did this about three or four times, and his secretary, wonderful woman, called me up and she said Leon wants to know what you like to drink. I said “What’s he want to know that for?” She says “Well, he thinks it’s time to declare peace and he wants to send you a bottle of what you want,” so civility won out in that case. I don’t recall running into many uncivil lawyers really. Some jerks now and then, I suppose.

Emerson: Yeah. You’ve probably known a few that you wouldn’t want to leave animportant document with.

Sharpnack: Possibly, yes. I’ve known some awful bad lawyers unfortunately. Another thing that’s changed and changed back, and I don’t know where it’s going now, is the business of fees. When I started out, for example, working for insurance companies there was a set fee if you were in a court room a half day, it was so many dollars; if you took a deposition it was $70. And I actually remember a case, it was a case in Columbus where I represented the city, was insured by General Accident; and a semi had come through and nicked a street light and knocked it all cockawise. So the city sends out two clowns to fix this. Well, they fixed it. They just didn’t bother to check and see if they were coordinated.

Emerson: Oh, dear.

Sharpnack: So, you would have all green for both ways and then you’d get all red for both ways. Well, that went on for a while and then of course there was a collision and a woman was killed and so on and so forth. Well anyway, I was hired by General Accident to represent them and when it came down to billing time, they said we want hourly billing. So that introduced me to hourly and then everybody went to hourly billing; and now apparently we’re kind of moving back from hourly billing to back to set fees in some instances.

Emerson: Um-hum.

Sharpnack: I don’t know. And the involvement of lawyers in voir dire has changed in state courts -- of course, I think maybe, it may have always been this way in some of the federal courts, but when I started out, voir dire could last a day and certainly a morning. The lawyers got to ask questions. They went and got – chances are it was kind of information – sometimes it was a pretty naked effort to persuade the jury – so that’s been cut back; but what comes back to me kind of was that you didn’t get a chance to sort of get a feel for the juror. I remember I tried a case in Judge Maschmeyer’s court down in Clark County, I think it was. And he did the voir dire and the way he did it, he would say if anybody believes that the law isn’t important raise your hand. Or just …. and I realized after about, oh, I suppose, half an hour so, I'd never heard any of these jurors open their mouth. A lot of insurance companies have moved to using – not quite in house, but captive counsel, so again that insurance defense bar out there has changed in character. There’s probably more cases. Modern pleading. And of course the selection of appellate judges changing, which is the reason I’m here. There’s always a big battle over how to select your judges. The State Bar Association is on record wanting to have merit selection across the state which frankly I would favor. And all of this back and forth about activist judges and so on and so forth.

Emerson: You’ve very much intrigued me. You’ve got a bottle on the shelf there that looks like water, but that skull and crossbones on it and says “Do not ingest.” Is that a…

Sharpnack: That’s not people food. And probably poison. Well, that’s partly a kind of snide remark about some of the warnings they have to put on things, but it’s because I put fertilizer in it to feed my plants and just want to make sure nobody drinks it.

Emerson: Okay. I thought it might be an exhibit from a murder trial. Well, this has been most enjoyable, Judge. I have really enjoyed it and I trust that the readers will enjoy it.

ISBA Members in the Wild

Stephanie Bibbs, Kendra Key, Paul Sweeney, and Holly Wojcik conducted an outreach session at Merrillville High School in February. Aimed at improving Indiana’s legal pipeline, the presentation provided students with insights into the legal profession and opportunities to get involved. This mirrors work the ISBA Diversity Committee has done to support pathway initiatives—from sponsoring Just the Beginning—A Pipeline Organization’s Middle School Law Camp to presenting to high school students in Evansville.

Thank You SSFC Section Sponsors

Each year, ISBA sections offer to pay the registration and lodging fees for one or more of their members to attend the Solo & Small Firm Conference. These scholarships allow members to invest in their professional growth and access unique networking and learning opportunities. A huge thank you to the following sections for their generosity:

• Alternative Dispute Resolution Section
• Bankruptcy 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

Selected applicants for scholarships in each section will be notified by May 1.

Launch of the 2024 Associate Empowerment Series

ISBA’s Associate Empowerment Series—a cohort of ~15 midlevel and senior women associates—met for their first session in March. The series offers a platform for women associates to explore success strategies and build a network of support, addressing topics like overcoming imposter syndrome, generating new business, and positioning yourself for success. This year, the group meets through virtual sessions and monthly brown bag discussions, facilitated by speakers with the Indianapolis Women’s Empowerment Network (I-WEN).

Affiliate Membership Committee Hosting Paralegal Symposium

The Affiliate Membership Committee has brought back its award-winning Paralegal Symposium—a six-hour seminar developed exclusively for paralegals by paralegals. The programming occurs virtually across two half-days and offers best practices for topics like Office technology, advanced legal research, and artificial intelligence. Keynote presenter Linda McGrath-Cruz, founder of Perfectly Paralegal, will also speak on leadership. Learn more and register »

And as a reminder, the Affiliate Membership Committee recently updated its requirements for paralegal members of the ISBA. Now, members must be currently employed as a paralegal, have an attorney sponsor who is licensed in Indiana, and either have five years of work experience as a paralegal or meet specific education/credential requirements. Learn more about paralegal membership »

Appellate Section Bringing Together Judges and Attorneys

The Appellate Practice Section is providing a unique opportunity for attorneys to engage with Indiana’s appellate judges in an informal setting and facilitate an ongoing conversation on improving Indiana’s appellate practices. In this CLE and dinner/reception, the section will share feedback from the bench, the bar, clerks, and court reporters on how the Indiana Appellate Rules work in practice as the section begins drafting recommendations to the Indiana Supreme Court Rules Committee.

After the CLE, join members of Indiana’s judiciary for a reception and dinner. Learn more and register »

Elder Law Section Commemorating Judge Haas

The Elder Law Section donated $1,000 to the General Scholarship Fund at IU McKinney School of Law in memory of Judge Warren Haas. Judge Haas was a 1976 graduate of IU McKinney, a former chair of the Elder Law Section, and a very active member within the community who passed away in December 2023. The section has encouraged its members to donate individually to the fund as well.

Employment Law Section Presenting Unique CLE at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Employment, Labor & Benefits Law Section is hosting a full-day CLE program at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Speakers will present on the latest alternative dispute resolution, ethics, and DEI topics within the employment law field. Attendees will then enjoy lunch and the Sonsio Grand Prix qualification races from a climate-controlled suite on pit row. Learn more and register »

Family Law Accepting Nominations for Gale M. Phelps Award

The Family & Juvenile Law Section is seeking nominations for the 2024 Gale M. Phelps Award. The award is given in honor of Gale Phelps—a former chair and active member of the section—and recognizes family law attorneys who contribute substantially to family law practice and who work diligently to elevate the standards of professionalism in family law. Learn more and nominate a practitioner »

Federal Judiciary Committee Names Winner of the 2024 Henry Hurst Award

Sharon L. Macon was presented with the 2024 Henry Hurst Judicial Assistance Award at the Federal Judiciary Committee’s “Conversation with the Federal Judiciary” CLE on April 9. The award is given annually to an outstanding member of court staff who helps the federal bench promote justice and efficiency within Indiana’s legal system.

Sharon currently serves as courtroom deputy clerk in the chambers of U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael G. Gotsch, though she has been a member of the Clerk’s Office staff for 33 years (with plans to retire later this year). As shared in her nominations, “Her extensive experience makes her a fount of knowledge as to court procedures and personnel…She sees the potential in each person and knows just how and when to encourage and empower staff to be their best personally and professionally.”

“Taken together, Sharon’s unique brand of service ensures that the wheels of justice move efficiently with care for the individuals involved in all parts of the judicial system.”

Solo & Small Firm Conference

Registration is still open for the ISBA Solo & Small Firm Conference, presented by the GP, Solo & Small Firm Section. Swap business cards and business solutions with lawyers from across the state at Indiana’s largest gathering of solo and small firm attorneys.

Get all of your required CLE in one place, and hear from keynote speakers Stuart Teicher, Corine Rogers, and Jimmie McMillian as they discuss AI, workflows, and building your personal team respectively. And take a break from the programming by participating in golf, skeet shooting, cornhole, socials, or any of the many informal gatherings unfolding around the French Lick Resort. The early bird deadline is May 13. Learn more and register »

Well-Being Committee Creates Resource for New Admittees

The Well-Being Committee has put together a one-pager of well-being resources to present to new admittees at April’s admission ceremony. The list includes local, state, and national organizations that provide well-being programming for the legal profession, as well as reading and CLE recommendations. The committee also created a list for Indiana law students, with additional tips on handling test anxiety. You can view some of these recommendations on the Well-Being Committee’s webpage: inbar.org/well-being. 

And keep an eye out for additional well-being tips and resources over the next month, as the committee gears up for Well-Being Week in Law. 

Other Connection Activities

We’ve loved seeing members at these CLE and networking events!

• Women attorneys and judges from across the state traveled to Sante Fe, New Mexico in March for the 2024 Women’s Bench Bar Retreat, presented by the ISBA Women in the Law Committee.
• The General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section hosted attendees at the ISBA Office for an SSFC teaser CLE and social on maximizing revenue.
• The Tax Section partnered with IU McKinney for a panel discussion on the implications of Moore v. United States.
• The Federal Judiciary Committee hosted members of Indiana’s federal bench for a conversation on the expectations and rules within their courtrooms.
• Nearly 250 judges and attorneys gathered at the Indianapolis Artsgarden to celebrate our judicial officers at the ISBA Judicial Reception.
• The Utility Law Section hosted their annual Spring Seminar, with CLE on employer DEI initiatives following the affirmative action decision, sovereign citizens, and more.

"There will always be someone who can't see your worth. Don't let it be you."
—Mel Robbins

“If people can be safe places, you’re my safe place.”
—Elementary school student to her Youth First social worker

Youth First is an Evansville-based organization that has grown exponentially since its founding in 1998 by Dr. William Wooten, then medical director of an addiction treatment center, who was seeing a growing number of children and adolescents with increasingly complex problems. He had the foresight to view prevention as the best cure and that the place to start was in the schools in Evansville and surrounding communities. In the 26 years since, he has dedicated his time, talent, and resources to help create what has become a lifeline for thousands of young people who would otherwise fall through the cracks of a system that didn’t know how to help the kids with unspeakable problems at home, with shame so debilitating they were isolating and unable to function, with drug abuse starting as young as second grade, with paralyzing anxiety that subjected them to bullying when they did attend school, with violent outbursts that caused suspensions from school, and the list goes on.

Today, under the leadership of President and CEO Parri Black, Youth First partners with 125 schools in 14 counties in southwest and near-central Indiana to give over 52,500 students and their families free, easy access to licensed mental health professionals (primarily master’s level social workers) placed directly in schools. That last part needs underscoring: clinically trained and closely supervised professionals are embedded in schools. Their purpose is to strengthen student mental health through one-on-one counseling, mentoring, small group support, links to resources, and parent/teacher engagement. Every year, throughout the school year, they help young people cope with challenges, manage emotions, pursue their education, and become healthy, productive adults. They provide evening programs for families to learn how to support their children and to support each other in their journeys toward mental health.

“It literally saved my daughter’s life and provided me with a sounding board and a helping hand during the rough patches when I didn’t know where to turn,” shared one parent.

“I am now someone who knows that my anxiety doesn’t have to define me, nor does it have to hold me back from anything I want to do in life,” said a student helped by Youth First to reach her full potential.

As for me, I’ve been a member of Youth First’s School and Government Committee since being asked to join three years ago and on its Board of Directors for the past two years. At least once annually, every member is asked the same question: “What’s your Why?” meaning “Why serve Youth First?”

My “Why” has multiple answers:

• I began my career in education and have never strayed too far from the classroom.
• With a minor in Psychology from IU, I’ve always had an interest in human behavior and why people do as they do.
• Having served six years on JLAP’s board, I understand the importance of mental health for law students, lawyers, and judges, and that the earlier the start toward wellness, the better for all.
• My four grandchildren are or will become students in schools served by Youth First.
• I easily relate to struggles with mental health. My maternal grandmother, her niece, a first cousin, and my nephew have all dealt with serious mental health issues.
• As a trial court judge I saw the devastating effects of substance abuse on families and that jail was often the only housing option for mentally ill criminal defendants.
• As an appellate court judge I read countless appeals involving violent crimes and domestic abuse and often wonder whether those tragic events might have been avoided had mental health care been readily accessible and free in the schools these people attended as children and adolescents.
  

Of course, Youth First could not do its work and could not have expanded as it has from a handful of schools in Evansville to 125 schools in 14 counties without funding—a large part of which comes from the generosity of individual and corporate donors, school partners, and also government grants including from the state Division of Mental Health and Addiction. The importance of these dollars cannot be overstated. It is unknown exactly how many youth suicides have been prevented or how many children have not used drugs or how many have not gone on to commit crimes. What is confirmed, though, is that Youth First intervened in 530 life-threatening situations in schools last year, mostly for suicidal ideation, and connected students to the lifesaving support they needed. Through its evidence-based prevention programs, with tracking of student progress and outcome measurements using an independent evaluator, Youth First can also report these statistically significant findings for:

• Improvements in children’s hope, communication, coping skills, decision-making, mood management, parent/child bonding, resiliency, and school bonding;
• Reduction in anxiety, anger, defiant behavior, depression, classroom disruption, disengagement, family conflict, low self-esteem, and school absence;
• Improvement in homework completion, classroom participation, and peer interactions;
• Support of academic progress with 99% of the 3,913 students on last year’s caseload advancing to the next grade level or graduating, and 93% of the graduating seniors leaving school with college or career plans.

So those are also my Why’s. Youth First works. It deserves our attention as lawyers and judges because it works. Many of us are either parents or grandparents and/or in our profession we have so many reasons to be concerned about the mental health of our children.

It is my hope that the successes of Youth First’s model can be expanded or replicated throughout our great state so that through prevention, lives and resources can be saved.

Because if we ignore mental health, we lose our children.

To learn more, visit youthfirstinc.org or call 812-421-8336.

Elaine B. Brown was appointed to the Indiana Court of Appeals in May 2008. Judge Brown is an adjunct professor at IU Maurer School of Law, served for six years on its Alumni Board, was Dubois Superior Court judge for over 15 years, and practiced law for 11 years in Jasper and Evansville. She graduated from IU–Bloomington With Distinction and earned her J.D. from IU Maurer School of Law.

ISBA Members in the Wild

In early February, ISBA leaders and ABA delegates traveled to Louisville, Kentucky for the 2024 ABA Midyear Meeting. Indiana delegates included Melissa Avery, Steve Hoar, Elliott Hostetter, Shontrai Irving, Mike Jasaitis, Jimmie McMillian, and Todd Spurgeon. ISBA President Tom Felts and President Elect Mike Jasaitis also participated in the National Conference of Bar Presidents Annual Meeting to learn from other bar leaders across the country.

Section and Committee Leadership Workshop

ISBA’s section and committee leaders convened in January for a workshop aimed at refining individual leadership skills to better achieve organizational goals. The group evaluated their leadership styles (specifically in their roles as volunteer leaders) through the DISC assessment. Leaders then discussed how their leadership styles popped up in their section and committee work before focusing on the challenges their groups most often faced. They identified a series of goals they’d like to accomplish this year, including to:

• Increase participation in their groups
• Mentor their groups’ future leaders
• Ensure that good ideas have champions who can help make them happen
• Enhance communication between the council and its membership
• And more

Leaders will continue to meet throughout the year to strategize new approaches and pick up new skills to support their members.

Affiliate Membership Committee Wins Award for Paralegal Symposium

The Affiliate Membership Committee’s Paralegal Symposium was recognized by the Indiana Society of Association Executives with the 2023 STAR Award for Outstanding Individual Program/Event. The Paralegal Symposium is a six-hour seminar spanning two half-days that is designed exclusively for paralegals by paralegals. It takes an innovative approach to paralegal education, covering essential skills and professional development in an accessible format.

As one participant shared, “Year after year this program offers speakers who present material relevant to what we, as paralegals, deal with on a day-to-day basis. These individuals make their presentations fun, interactive, and interesting. One couldn’t ask for a better option to obtain CLE hours and/or interact with a group of people who understand your work life!”

Appellate Section Evaluating Appellate Rules, Sets Date for Reception

The Appellate Practice Section is asking its members to comment on how Indiana’s appellate rules work in practice. Their feedback will be incorporated into a report the section is sending to the Indiana Supreme Court Rules Committee, recommending proposed amendments that address problem areas noted by practitioners.

The section has also announced the 2024 Appellate Practice CLE and Evening with the Appellate Judges on May 15—an event that fosters participation between practitioners and the judiciary, where attendees can keep up with the latest updates in the practice then meet with judges at a dinner and reception. Learn more »

General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Announces Date for 2024 SSFC

Scheduled for May 30 – June 1 at French Lick Resort, the ISBA Solo & Small Firm Conference promises formal and informal networking opportunities, comprehensive CLE tailored for solo and small firm attorneys, and more. Learn more »

Preview the type of content offered at SSFC with a pre-conference CLE and social: “Maximizing Revenue Through Increased Profitability and Fee Recovery.” Attendees will pick up tips on navigating taxes, avoiding nonpayment from clients, and choosing the best software. Then get a glimpse at the types of connections possible at SSFC over drinks and appetizers. Learn more and register »

The section is also accepting applications for the 2024 GP Hall of Fame Award. The 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. Applications are accepted until March 6. Nominate a colleague »

LDA Committee Welcomes 12th Class

The Leadership Development Academy’s 12th class kicked off their first session at Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park in January. The class of 25 lawyers identified their individual strengths and how those strengths show up in their personal and professional lives. They also dined with Professor and Retired Justice Frank Sullivan, heard from Justice Mark S. Massa, and had lunch with the ISBA Board of Governors. Their next stop will be the Indiana Statehouse on February 20 – 21. Meet the 2024 class »

Pro Bono Committee Plans Legal Clinics for the Year, Wraps Up TTALT Program

For over 20 years, the Pro Bono Committee and volunteers have manned a hotline on MLK Day for the Talk to a Lawyer Today program. This year, due to a decline in calls, the committee tried something different and teamed up with Indiana Free Legal Answers. This allowed volunteers to search for questions in their fields of practice, participate remotely, and provide pro bono services on their time. This year, 27 ISBA volunteers participated and cleared out 65 questions from Indiana Free Legal Answers’ queue. Altogether, through walk-in sites, Zoom sessions, phone calls, and volunteer programs around the state, a total of 216 attorney volunteers helped 420 Hoosiers.

To continue this work, the committee is sponsoring a series of walk-in clinics held at The Haverstick at the Crossing on:

• February 24
• March 23
• June 8
• August 10
• September 28

The clinics are designed to help Hoosiers with expungements, landlord-tenant issues, immigration, and more. If you are interested in volunteering at any of them, please email Kim Latimore-Martin at klatimore-martin@inbar.org.

Tax Section Offering Scholarship

The ISBA Tax Section is accepting applications for the Judge Martha Blood Wentworth Excellence in Tax Scholarship. This one-time scholarship offers a minimum of $1,000 to any Indiana law student interested in the study and practice of tax law. Applicants should be in good academic standing, enrolled in an Indiana ABA accredited law school, and intend to practice tax law in Indiana after they graduate. Learn more and apply »

Utility Law Section Hosting Spring Seminar

The Utility Law Section is hosting their spring seminar on April 11 in downtown Indianapolis. The annual seminar offers the opportunity to network with seasoned regulatory law practitioners in the electric, communications, consumer, water, and natural gas industries, as well as learn about new developments and hear the direction the industry and practice is taking. Learn more and register »

Women in the Law Committee Delivers Games for St. Mary’s Christmas Program

The Women in the Law Committee collected and delivered 16 board games to the St. Mary’s Early Childhood Center Christmas Program. Altogether, the St. Mary’s program collected close to 500 toy bags, bikes, and dollhouses; 2,500 extra toys, games, and books; a $125 gift card for every family; and pajamas, socks, and a blanket for all 365 children.

The committee will also be heading to Santa Fe, New Mexico, for the 22nd Women’s Bench Bar Retreat. The annual retreat brings together women attorneys and judges from across the state to share in education, camaraderie, and community-building. Each conference includes a selection of CLE specific to the interests and challenges women legal professionals face, as well as social events and relationship-building opportunities designed to form connections between the bench and bar. Learn more »

Other Connection Activities

We’ve loved seeing members at these CLE and networking events!

• The Probate, Trust & Real Property Section, Tax Section, and Ethics Committee brought together their members for a CLE and social on the latest updates in digital legal practice.
• The Utility Law Section hosted members for their annual holiday party and Rate Case Process Seminar.
• The Animal Law Section met at the IU McKinney Law School for a three-hour seminar on the latest updates in animal law.

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!

• ChatGPT, Siri, and Alexa Are Out to Get You. View CLE »
• Substantive Changes to the Rules of Criminal Procedure (Presented by the Criminal Justice Section). View CLE »
• The Corporate Transparency Act: What You Need to Know About the New Law (Presented by the Business Law Section). View CLE »
• Everything You Need to Know About Retirement Planning and More. View CLE »
• An Update on Recent Ethics Decisions That May Affect Your Practice (Presented by the Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Section). View CLE »
• Update from the United States Trustee: SBRA 3 Years Later (Presented by the Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Section). View CLE »
• The Rate Case Process from Start to Finish (Presented by the Utility Law Section). View CLE »
• State and National Updates: Land, Air & Sustainability (Presented by the Environmental Law Section). View CLE »

When Putnam County Judge Diana LaViolette passed away, the same month as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, we lost a pioneering woman in the law. The two-term circuit court judge, among other things, designed a family court facilitation project that provides alternative dispute resolution for low-income families. This was an innovative model emulated by other counties and even other states—a legacy that impacts generations of families in west central Indiana.

The legal profession, in Indiana and across the country, has come a long way since LaViolette first started practicing law in 1980, but there is still a way to go. Witness the session at the recent Indianapolis-hosted annual conference of the National Association of Women Judges—"About Damn Time: Women Leading Complex Cases"—or the recent ABA Commission on the Profession and National Native American Bar Association report "Excluded & Alone: Examining the Experiences of Native American Women in the Law and a Path Towards Equity."

As Jill Norgren notes in Rebels at the Bar: The Fascinating, Forgotten Stories of America’s First Women Lawyers,¹ women with “radical ambition” strove to be admitted to law schools and to practice law at the turn of the 20th century when in most states women did not have the right to vote. “[…M]en controlled the profession’s knowledge base, credentialing, client referral system, and networking.” The “sisters in law” were refused law school and bar admissions, as well as jobs, for patronizing reasons. When Lockwood applied for admission to law school, her applications were denied on the grounds that her presence would be too distracting to the young men in the law school. Although Lockwood was eventually granted admission to the Supreme Court Bar, she was initially denied admission, and a newspaper headline read “The Chief Justice squelched the fair applicant.” From Lockwood to LaViolette, innovative and brave lawyers are still paving the way for women in the profession. For a book celebrating this sisterhood, see Linda Hirshman’s Sisters in Law: How Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg Went to the Supreme Court and Changed the World.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg spoke about women and the law at the U.S. Supreme Court Fellows’ annual dinner in 2008, in part because it was the first cohort of Supreme Court Fellows that was all women. She told the crowd that she admired the courage of Lockwood, the first woman to be admitted to the Supreme Court bar. Lockwood was an “individual[] of impressive intelligence who demonstrated that women can hold their own as advocates for justice,” and she “used wit, ingenuity, and sheer force of will to unsettle society’s conceptions of women as weak in body and mind.”² Justice Ginsburg called Lockwood a “woman of sense and steel.”³ That is also an apt description of LaViolette and many other women lawyers. Justice Ginsburg was a trailblazer not only because of her position on the U.S. Supreme Court but also because she was responsible for legal strategies that established women’s rights in many areas (see, e.g., Conversations with RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Life, Love, Liberty and Law by Jeffrey Rosen or the movie “On the Basis of Sex”).

The Indiana Supreme Court now has its first female Chief Justice, Hon. Loretta Rush, with roots in west central Indiana like LaViolette. Justice Rush has related the story that, when she was giving a speech to schoolchildren, a little girl asked her if she wanted to be a supreme court justice when she was her age. Chief Justice Rush said that she couldn’t have imagined it because there weren’t any women justices in Indiana at the time. “You need to see it to believe that you can be it.”⁴

New Trailblazers

Writing an article for the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession’s magazine Perspectives is a great way to learn more and get involved. Trailblazers abound in the Indiana State Bar Association’s Women in the Law Committee. Learn about the 19th Amendment from Indiana’s women judges and read "Women appellate judges widen the road for future judiciary." Or you can check out the Parity Podcast by Hoosier co-hosts Deborah Pollack-Milgate and Cathy Nestrick, as well as their insightful Parity Prescription (“Stop Trying to Change Women; Create Diverse Teams; Recognize Unconscious Bias; Intentionally Include; Partner with Men as Allies; Talk about the Issues”).

ISBA Members in the Wild

ISBA members make their mark locally and nationally. Over 2,100 attendees—including a strong Hoosier contingent—attended the 2023 NAPABA Convention in Indianapolis to discuss cutting-edge legal developments, celebrate shared achievements, and emphasize the power of showing up.

Twelve state bar members also traveled to Washington, D.C. to be sworn into the U.S. Supreme Court. The group watched a three-hour oral argument with all nine justices, toured various parts of the capital, and took their oath in front of Chief Justice Roberts. It’s an emotional ceremony that everyone has their own personal connections to. As attendee Amanda Owens Blackketter shared:

My father G. Douglass “Doug” Owens passed away January 13, 2023. Dad practiced law in Pendleton for 50+ years until his health prevented him from doing so in his 80s. Mom and Dad raised five children on a four-acre “mini farm.” My oldest brother, Bryce Owens, is also an attorney in Pendleton, and they maintained an office together for decades. Both my dad and brother were admitted to practice in the U.S. Supreme Court many years ago. In fact, my dad made the oral motion to admit my brother before the Court.

Being admitted to practice in the U.S. Supreme Court had always been something I intended to do, but life is busy, isn’t it? Getting married after law school, establishing a practice, raising children…the list goes on.

This year, when I saw that the admission ceremony would be November 29, I knew it was time. You see, that is my dad’s birthday. I applied right away but was wait-listed. Imagine my joy when I received the email a few months later that a spot had opened up! My husband and I traveled to Washington D.C. for the swearing-in ceremony. It was everything I hoped it would be, and I highly recommend it. Thank you to the ISBA for this opportunity!

Congratulations to the 2023 inductees: Amanda Owens Blackketter, James Carlberg, Daniel Cueller, Hon. Thomas Felts, Jaclyn Flint, Hon. John Hanley, April Keaton, Brian McDermott, Dorothy McDermott, William Niemier, Jacqueline Ponder, and Terry Tolliver.

Diversity Committee: Helping Shape Future Legal Minds

The Diversity Committee has been instrumental in pathway initiatives. In November, Rob Love, Patricia Kinney, and Raymond Dudlo discussed opportunities present in the legal profession with high school students at Bosse High School.

The committee also sponsored the full-day Middle School Law Camp at IU McKinney. The camp, hosted by Just the Beginning—A Pipeline Organization, brought approximately 70 students from South Bend and Indianapolis together with judges and attorneys to learn about various pathways into the profession.

Family Law: Empowering Members Through Education

The Family & Juvenile Law Section awarded three scholarships to the Family Law Institute—each named in honor of an influential figure in the field: Andrew Mallor, Andrew Soshnick, and Debra Dubovitch. The three scholarships were granted to Aimbrell Holmes, Catlin Kid, and Aarti Wolenski.

The section also hosted two town hall meetings within the past few months to share their comments and learn more about changes to the Child Support Rules and Guidelines and the proposed GAL Guidelines for Civil Family Law Cases.

Military & Veterans’ Affairs: Bridging Law and Service

The Military & Veterans’ Affairs Committee provided content for the annual Battlemind to Home Summit, hosted by the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University. Topics included VA accreditation, the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), and a mock veterans treatment court.

Litigation Section: Updating Legal Rules

Last year, the Litigation Section proposed amendments to a few rules, including Trial Rule 30(C), striking the rule’s reference to Rule 43(B). That amendment was enacted on October 4 with the Order Amending Rules of Trial Procedure.

Pro Bono Committee: Supporting the Hoosier Community

The Pro Bono Committee has made sharing your legal knowledge and participating in pro bono service easier. Get a refresher on commonly raised topics in pro bono cases—from paternity and divorce actions to eviction sealings—with the 6.0 hr. CLE/1.0 hr. Ethics Pro Bono Prep – CLE Bundle.

Then, use the bundle to prepare for your own pro bono cases or join the ISBA for “Talk to a Lawyer Today: Clearing the Queue.” ISBA members will be working to clear out the more than 300 unanswered questions on Indiana Legal Answers. Volunteers who sign up for a two-hour shift in person on MLK Day or who agree to answer five questions on their own time will receive the CLE bundle at a reduced price. Learn more »

Women in the Law: Bringing Holiday Cheer

Since 2014, the Women in the Law Committee has been donating Christmas gifts or other requested needs to the St. Mary’s Early Childhood Center Christmas Program. The program sponsors approximately 350 at-need children each year. This year, the committee will be buying and sending games to be added to each child’s gift.

Young Lawyers Section: Connecting Generations

The Young Lawyers Section hosted the 2023 Dinner with the Judiciary in early November. The event brought together 18 judges and justices with young lawyers for an intimate dinner and networking experience.

Other Connection Activities

We’ve loved seeing members at these learning and networking events!

• The Affiliate Membership Committee brought together paralegals for a Wine & Canvas event.
• Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights discussed recent updates in bankruptcy law and held a roundtable discussion with practice tips and pointers from federal bankruptcy judges.
• The Construction & Surety Law Section hosted their holiday party at Westfork Whiskey—reviewing the latest updates in case law while getting a behind-the-scenes look at the distillery.
• Environmental Law celebrated Hon. Mary Davidsen and rang in the holiday season with their CLE and Holiday Party.
• Intellectual Property covered emerging issues in patent practice with a Germen patent attorney.
• The Tax Section brought together attorneys from private practice and government agencies for their annual State Tax Reception and CLE.

Let Me Pick Your Brain: End-of-Term Messages

As the end of the year approaches and groups transition leadership roles, pause to reflect on the year, share success stories and future visions, and introduce your group’s new leaders. Take Probate Chair Eric Slotegraaf’s note to section members as an example:

It has been my honor and privilege to have served as your PTRP chair for 2023. 

The success of our section is a group effort. There are many individuals who pitch in and make our section an amazing resource. However, I would also like to extend a special “thank you” to the upcoming officers and district representatives for agreeing to serve your section and for their assistance during the year. Your elected officers for next year include Elizabeth Wyson Berg as your Chair; Elizabeth Homes as your Chair Elect; Paige Freitag as Vice Chair; and Erin Bantz as your Secretary and Treasurer….

This year, our section was honored to sponsor law school etiquette dinners at the IU Maurer School of Law, IU McKinney School of Law, and the Notre Dame School of Law, as well as four scholarships for the 2023 Solo and Small Firm Conference. We were also pleased to sponsor We the People.

We presented Navigating the New Guardianship Code at the end of July. We have another CLE titled “Navigating the Future: A Festive Fusion of Law, Tech, and Ethics.” Immediately following the CLE, there will be some time to network and socialize with drinks and light appetizers. This even is planned for December 14 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Indiana Historical Society. I hope to see you there.

Our committees and newsletter leaders need your support to deliver valuable services. I urge you to volunteer for your section, as it is an excellent way to gain knowledge and build connections….

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!

• End-of-Year CLE Bundles
  • Procrastinator’s Special On-Demand CLE Bundle: 6 Hours. View CLE »
  • Procrastinator’s Special On-Demand CLE Bundle: 3 Hours. View CLE »
  • Ohio-Approved On-Demand CLE Bundle. View CLE »
• Together Stronger: The Ethics of Sharing Administrative Burdens and Succession Planning in Solo/Small Firms. View CLE »
• Unleashing New Horizons in Human-AI Interaction: Navigating the Evolution of ChatGPT. View CLE »
• Mediation in Employment Law Cases (Presented by the Employment, Labor & Benefits Law Section). View CLE »
• When Bankruptcy and Personal Injury Law Intersect (Presented by the Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Section). View CLE »
• Introducing the Proposed GAL Guidelines for Civil Family Law Cases (Presented by Family & Juvenile Law Section). View CLE »
• Lessons from Guantanamo Bay, Part 2 (Presented by Military & Veterans’ Affairs Committee). View CLE »
• Understanding and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome. View CLE »
• Legislative Update: Criminal Code (Presented by Criminal Justice Section). View CLE »
• Choice of Law in Business Agreements (Presented by Business Law Section). View CLE »
• New Statutory Procedures & Forms for Obtaining Confidential Health Disclosure Orders for Guardians (Presented by the PTRP and Elder Law Sections). View CLE »

Embrace Remote Work

The age of digital connectivity—and the rise in remote options following 2020—have revolutionized the profession. Today’s workforce values happiness and work-life balance over career advancement (see “Boomers to Zoomers: Recruiting and Retaining Today’s Workforce”), meaning that the flexibility a remote or hybrid position offers is key. Plus, by offering remote or hybrid work arrangements, rural firms can tap into a broader pool of legal talent and create new opportunities to streamline administrative tasks, allowing attorneys to spend more time on their billable hours.

Action Items:

• Offer remote or hybrid work options when possible.
  
• Create a remote work policy. Invest in and utilize technology to manage a remote workforce.
  
  

Collaborate with Local Firms

While a smaller office staff can be a benefit to some, the robust resources, range of niche experts, and diverse pool of experienced practitioners in a larger city can draw associates to big law. By consolidating their resources and forming partnerships with other local firms, however, rural firms can close that gap. Collaborative efforts like co-counseling create a stronger sense of camaraderie and community among attorneys in a region. This then offers new associates an expanded pool of mentors and advisors to fall back on (making that transition from a resource-rich city to a smaller, more isolated legal community less intimidating). It can also alleviate some financial pressures in a small firm and enhance the legal services rural practitioners are able to provide. 

Action Items:

• Try out co-counseling arrangements and resource sharing with local firms or practitioners.
  
• Strengthen your firm’s relationship with neighboring firms by attending local bar events or hosting your own networking dinners.
  
  

Promote Your Community’s Benefits

Rural communities provide unique cultural and social experiences—from street festivals and community events to local football games and the close-knit relationships that characterize small-town practice. Firms should actively promote these aspects. Highlight the sense of community and the potential for direct, meaningful impact on the lives of clients and the community at large that cities often lack.

Action Items:

• Include a “Community” section on your firm’s website or marketing materials.
  
• Outline the various community organizations or groups a new associate could engage with. 
  
  

Offer Meaningful Opportunities

Rural law firms can offer young associates meaningful, diverse, and hands-on legal experiences early in their careers. Unlike their counterparts in larger cities, associates in a rural setting can engage in various aspects of legal practice and take on more impactful roles within the firm, providing a sense of purpose and rapid professional growth that can outweigh the challenges of rural practice. Emphasize this advantage to new associates and engage directly with potential recruits to understand and align with their aspirations.

Action Items

• Provide leadership and decision-making opportunities early on to new associates.
  
• Invite associates to collaborate with you on larger cases.
  
  

Target Mid-Career Attorneys

While recent graduates may still be attracted to the hustle and bustle of the college towns they know (and are limited by financial and social needs in the jobs they seek), mid-career attorneys are often looking for a change of pace. Target these lawyers when looking for new recruits by underscoring the advantages of rural living: a lower cost of living, safe neighborhoods, and a more relaxed lifestyle. These can be particularly appealing aspects to those looking for a more stable environment.

Action Items:

• Consider mid-level positions, instead of scouring through the newest class of law school graduates.
  
• Highlight the lower cost of living, the better work-life balance, and the various organizations or ways a new recruit can engage meaningfully with the community.
  
  

Use the ISBA Career Center

The ISBA Career Center serves as a hub for legal job opportunities across the state. Posting your open position on the platform can significantly increase your reach within the legal community and can help you better target attorneys. Make sure your listing is detailed and highlights the unique aspects of your firm.

Action Items:

• Post your new job position to the ISBA Career Center. Learn more »
  
• Describe the responsibilities and qualities you’re looking for as specifically as possible. List out the unique benefits (like collaboration with local firms, remote work options, impact on the local community, etc.) that your firm offers.
  
  

Overcoming legal deserts will require a multifaceted approach. But by embracing flexibility, fostering collaboration, and drawing on the unique opportunities a rural community offers, rural law firms can take steps to fill back in their pipelines and attract legal talent. Redefine the rural legal practice, not just as a career choice, but as a lifestyle choice, one rich in personal and professional rewards.

ISBA Hosts 2023 Annual Summit

In September, section, committee, and board leaders convened to review any pending resolutions, reflect on Indiana’s legal community, and inaugurate the 2023-24 President, Senior Judge Thomas J. Felts. Key highlights included electing eight new board members (on top of President Felt’s chosen council positions), the first AI presentation in a series ISBA will be offering, and updates from various legal organizations and councils.

ISBA delegates also received a report from sections and committees, summarizing the work each has done this year. Check out your section or committee’s report here, or view all reports here.

A few highlights from the reports:

• Affiliate Membership Committee updated paralegal membership requirements.
• Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights expanded their law student externship stipend program.
• The Probate Review Committee (under the Probate, Trust & Real Property Section) submitted 10 bills that became law this year.
• Utility Law launched an online community for its members.
• The Well-Being Committee revamped its mission statement.
• And many more accomplishments.
  

Affiliate Membership Presents Cathy Canny Award

The Affiliate Membership Committee presented the 2023 Cathy Canny Award of Excellence to Angela Hopson, recognizing her outstanding professionalism and unparalleled commitment to delivering high-quality legal expertise. Angela, a contracts administrator and project manager at Cummins Inc., was presented with the award at a surprise reception in which members of her family and Cummins staff were present.

Ag Law Revitalizes a Dormant Section

Since 2020, the Agricultural Law Section has had little engagement and no formal meetings or events. That’s changed with the help of a few volunteers. The section officially elected new officers and council members and held its first meeting and CLE since the pandemic. Section members planned another CLE for November, with further plans to provide legislative reports in next year’s session, social events, newsletters, and articles.

Appellate Section Scholarships and Seminar

The Appellate Practice Section offered an up-to-$2,000 scholarship for section members to attend the Appellate Judges Education Institute Summit. The annual summit not only provides relevant education opportunities, but also connects lawyers with federal and state appellate judges from across the country.

The section also successfully offered an interactive Appellate Skills Seminar this August. The event gathered new(er) practitioners and more experienced appellate lawyers and judges (along with a few Supreme Court justices) to discuss and then put into practice best strategies for appellate brief writing.

Bankruptcy Student Stipends

The Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Section awarded five stipends for students externing for U.S. Bankruptcy Court judges this summer and fall: Matilda Ning (Notre Dame), Aunyá Sutton (Maurer), Wenxi Lu (Maurer), Roc Uebelhor (McKinney), and Sydney Cathcart (Maurer). Each student received $1,000 to help offset their costs during their externships.

In a continued effort to promote law student involvement, the Bankruptcy Section also updated its bylaws to add a council position for law students at the September board meeting.

Learn More About the CFAF Committee

Each year, two dollars from your dues goes to a fund specifically created to assist those affected by attorney dishonesty. This fund, the Clients’ Financial Assistance Fund (CFAF), has existed for decades and is overseen by the CFAF Committee. Learn more about the work this group does (and the lessons they’ve learned along the way) in an article they authored in the October Res Gestae issue. Read “Lessons Learned by Clients’ Financial Assistance Fund Committee” »

Family Law Scholarships and Award

The Family & Juvenile Law Section is providing scholarships for section members to attend the 21st Annual Family Law Institute. The scholarships are offered in honor of three individuals who have continuously given back to the family law community and who embody the ideas of education, mentorship, and leadership in family law: Andrew Mallor, Andrew Soshnick, and Debra Dubovitch.

The section also presented the 2023 Nanette K. Raduenz Award to Magistrate Andrew Bloch at the Annual Meeting of the Judicial Conference this September.

GP, SSF Plans for 2024 Solo & Small Firm Conference

The SSFC Planning Committee has started plans for the 2024 conference. Committee members met in August to both connect with each other and go over data from the 2023 conference to brainstorm what worked, what could be better, and how the event could be improved in the next year.

Applications Open for the 2024 Class of the Leadership Development Academy

The LDA Committee is now accepting applications for the 12th class of the Leadership Development Academy. Ideal applicants are lawyers in the first 5-15 years of practice who are interested in expanding their networks, developing their leadership skills, and supporting their communities. Applications are due by November 1. Learn more and/or apply »

Pro Bono Committee Clinics and “Clearing the Queue” Program

The Pro Bono Committee has wrapped up a series of successful walk-in pro bono clinics this year. The clinics, a joint effort by the committee and One More Non-Profit, assisted dozens of Hoosiers across the state with expungements, landlord-tenant issues, immigration, and more. Thanks to hosting the clinics at the Haverstick in Indianapolis, in-need visitors were also able to receive food and other assistance.

The committee is also preparing its annual Talk To A Lawyer Today volunteer program; though this year, instead of answering a diminishing number of calls on a legal hotline, volunteers will be clearing the queue of nearly 300 unanswered questions on Indiana Free Legal Answers. A prep CLE with 6.0 hrs. CLE/1.0 hr. Ethics covering the top pro bono topics will be available soon.

Section and Committee Leaders Discuss Leadership Funnels

Every quarter, your section and committee leaders meet to share ideas, problem-solve solutions to common challenges, and discuss best practices for providing member value. This July, leaders focused on the importance of filling their leadership funnel.

As ISBA Executive Director Joe Skeel shared, a strong leadership funnel is vital to maintaining momentum and creating lasting change. So it’s important to make it a priority, to be intentional, and to designate someone to find potential leaders and bring them into the fold. Leah Baker, section and committee manager, shared some other strategies and considerations chairs should keep in mind—from ensuring there’s diversity among the council (whether that be in gender, practice type, geographic area, or race) to how leaders can both build interest among their broader membership and identify potential emerging leaders. Andrea Townsend, former chair of the ISBA Litigation Section, reflected those strategies with stories from her own experience building the section’s leadership funnel.

Diversity Committee Writes Cover Story in July/August Res Gestae

In 2022, Representative Vanessa Summers introduced the CROWN Act (HB 1177) to the Indiana General Assembly in an attempt to eliminate discrimination “based on traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles.” Though the bill ultimately died in committee, it set a precedent for conversations at the state and national level on what it means to be a professional and exist in your full humanity. A question the Diversity Committee was set on answering.

Taylor Ray Cook, Raymond P. Dudlo, and Rhea Jones-Price (on behalf of the Diversity Committee) discuss the CROWN Act, why it’s necessary, and the importance of creating affirming spaces for Hoosiers to live and work in, in their Res Gestae article. “How did you fix your hair this morning?” they write. “Did you use a shampoo to increase your hair's volume? Maybe some gel or paste? Ponytail, swept to the side, or perhaps a straight part and a hopeful hiding of your cowlick...But have you ever found yourself getting ready in the morning and wondering if your hair—the hair you were born with—would get you fired or denied a job?” Read "Knots, Locs, and Law: A Legal and Social Perspective on the CROWN Act and the Right to Wear Natural Hair" »

Family Law Awards 2023 Nanette K. Raduenz Award

The Family & Juvenile Law Section awarded the 2023 Nanette K. Raduenz Award to Hon. Andrew R. Bloch, magistrate judge with the Hamilton Circuit and Superior Court.

The Nanette K. Raduenz Award is given every other year to a judicial officer who has gone above and beyond to improve the judiciary. Magistrate Bloch was recognized for his activity both in the ISBA Family Law Section and in other organizations across the family law field. He has served on several boards and committees, presented at numerous seminars, and helped revise family law guidelines. “He commands respect and decorum in his courtroom by example, not by words,” one of his nominators shared. “Magistrate Bloch continue[s] to show family law—and, more importantly, the children, parents, and spouses involved in family law cases—great respect.” Mag. Bloch will be presented the award at the Judicial Conference on September 14. 

Litigation Section Hosting 2023 Litigation Symposium

The Litigation Section opened registration for the 2023 Litigation Symposium. This year the symposium focuses on communication—in the courtroom, before the jury, and between colleagues. Three high-profile speakers will share their best practices for identifying and persuading audiences, mastering nonverbal communication, and using communication to build strong relationships with colleagues, clients, judges, opposing counsel, and jury members. Sessions will be offered both in-person and virtually. Speakers include Sam Ardery (an Indiana attorney with more than 30 years of experience in litigation and negotiation), Andrew Caple-Shaw (a licensed attorney and working actor who takes an acting-based approach to trial skills), and Paul Lisnek (a political analyst, trial consultant, and television anchor who knows all about maintaining composure under difficult circumstances). Learn more and register »

Law Practice Management Committee Sunset, Launch of New LPM Online Community

In January 2023, the ISBA Board of Governors voted to sunset the Law Practice Management (LPM) Committee and give responsibility for curating and providing LPM resources to the General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section. The section created an LPM subcommittee in May with the goal to, through education, downloadable resources, an online community, and connection opportunities, provide ISBA members the tools they need to keep their practices thriving.

As the first stage of their work, the subcommittee launched the Law Practice Management Online Community—an email distribution list similar to your sections’ listservs designed for members to discuss law practice management and the business of running a practice. Conversations on everything from human resources and staff retention to accounting and billing to the life cycle of a law practice will be covered. Any ISBA member is invited to join, ask questions, and add to the conversation. Learn more and join the online community »

Membership Committee Updates Paralegal Requirements

The ISBA Board of Governors approved a recommendation from the Membership Committee to amend its current policy regarding paralegal membership. Previously, Indiana paralegals who wanted to be members of the ISBA had to be employed as a paralegal, have a certification or education in paralegal studies, be sponsored by an attorney, and attend 18 hours of CLE every three years. With the rise in paralegals across Indiana and a desire to further distinguish the Indiana Registered Paralegal program, however, the committee voted to soften those requirements to allow more paralegals to join the ISBA.

The new requirements remove the need for education or certification credentials and change CLE requirements for existing members. Five years of work experience will now qualify individuals for paralegal membership (as long as they are still sponsored by an attorney and meet the definition of a paralegal). And instead of attending 18 hours CLE every three years, paralegal members need only three hours (including one hour of Ethics) per year.

More information on how to apply for paralegal membership under the new requirements will be coming soon.

Probate, Trust & Real Property Section Sponsors Etiquette Dinners

The Probate Section voted to donate $1,470 to sponsor the 2024 series of etiquette dinners. ISBA has partnered with all three Indiana law schools to offer programs that guide students in professional networking. The programs begin with a cocktail hour, followed by a business dinner. Students are led through each scenario by an etiquette instructor and learn everything from how to initiate conversations to more etiquette-specific tasks like which fork to use. But the real power in these programs comes from the ISBA volunteers who join in on the etiquette training and who give law students a chance to connect with practicing attorneys, learn more about the profession, and potentially gain job or internship opportunities down the road.

Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity Committee Sponsors Indiana Benefit

The SOGI Committee is a Liberty Circle Sponsor for Lambda Legal’s annual Indiana Benefit. The Indiana Benefit has been raising funds to support Lambda Legal’s civil rights work since 1999, and it is one of the largest LGBTQ events in the state, bringing together more than 300 advocates and allies. This year, the benefit will be held on September 8 at the Indiana State Museum.

Utility Law Section Hosting Fall Seminar

Each year, the Utility Law Section hosts two seminars designed to (1) bring together regulatory law practitioners across multiple industries, and (2) provide relevant updates that double as all the CLE requirements members need for their yearly cycle. The 2023 Fall Seminar will look at a variety of topics, including civility, photovoltaics, cryptocurrency, cybersecurity and physical security, and more. Learn more and register »

Let Me Pick Your Brain: A Low-Down on High-Quality Events

Planning a high-quality CLE that brings value to section or committee members can be difficult. But keep these tips from recent events in mind:

1. Don’t be afraid to dive into the nitty-gritty. Knowing what topic to address is the first hurdle in any CLE planning. While it can be tempting to do a basic or introductory level CLE, to catch the largest audience, focusing exactly on what your audience needs to know at the level they need to know it in can create better-performing CLE. The Probate, Trust & Real Property and Elder Law Sections recently took this approach with a CLE on P.L. 38-2023, regarding new statutory forms and procedures for guardianships. A narrow focus, with detailed takeaways and discussion topics, led to over 230 registrations.
2. If you don’t know, ask. If you want to plan out a relevant CLE but don’t know what topics are top of mind, just ask your members. The Senior Lawyers Section tried this with their Preparing for Retirement CLE. Before identifying speakers and topics, the council invited members to jump on a Zoom meeting and tell the council directly what challenges they faced, what questions they had, and what concerns kept them up at night. The council then took this conversation and planned their program entirely around those concerns.
3. Think outside of the box. Sometimes the typical CLE structure—with a single speaker or a panel presenting in front of an audience—isn’t the best option. Perhaps an article on the topic makes more sense, like the Diversity Committee did with the CROWN Act. The Family & Juvenile Law Section is hosting a town hall, where members are invited to join a speaker in conversation, sharing ideas, asking questions, and together forming opinions on recently proposed guidelines. Or consider hybrid approaches that combine traditional learning with workshops, like the Appellate Section is doing for their writing skills seminar (where designated speakers will teach skills in plenary sessions, then supervise attendees as they put those skills into practice).

On-Demand CLE Added to the ISBA Library

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

• Behind the Scenes at the United States Tax Court: Q&A with Judge Patrick Urda (Presented by the Tax Section) View CLE »
• Legislative Updates from IDEM (Presented by the Environmental Law Section) View CLE »
• Post-Conviction Relief Ethics for Defense Lawyers, Prosecutors, and Judges (Presented by the Criminal Justice Section) View CLE »
• 2023 Legislative Rundown. View CLE »

Section and Committee Leaders Gather for Second Quarterly Chair Meeting

ISBA section and committee leaders met virtually this April to discuss strategies for CLE and event planning. Each quarter, chairs are brought together to collaborate, learn with staff, and build a support network for sharing ideas and problem-solving solutions to common challenges.

This quarter, leaders studied the current climate of the events marketplace (including post-pandemic trends like lower attendance rates, higher demand for venues, and labor shortages). (The overall suggestion from the ISBA events team? Be flexible and stay focused on your audience and the goals of the event.) Leaders then learned best practices for managing the content side of CLE planning—from finding quality speakers to exploring resources outside of CLE. (Leaders, if you missed the presentation in April, you can access the slides on the ISBA Leadership Listserv.)

Diversity Committee Sponsors Job Fair, Introduces Partnership Subcommittee

The Diversity Committee is a Supporter Sponsor for the 2023 Indianapolis Bar Association Diversity Job Fair. The job fair (July 24-25) is an opportunity for diverse students and post-graduate/early career attorneys to meet with Indianapolis employers in one-on-one interviews and networking events. It brings decision-makers face-to-face with diverse jobseekers from across the country, ensuring that Indianapolis’s legal community also continues to grow more diverse.

The committee also created a partnerships subcommittee that’s designed to funnel the work the committee does outwards. In short, the committee strives to not only use their expertise in creating resources and CLE but also in helping other ISBA sections and committees (and other external partners) keep diversity at the core of their planning—from sharing resources to embedding DEI elements and topics in CLE and events. If you’re interested in any collaboration or partnership opportunities, or want to learn more, email Leah Baker (lbaker@inbar.org).

The committee has also compiled a list of events and resources related to Pride Month and ways you can support your LGBTQ+ clients and colleagues. Check them out here »

Environmental Section Updates Bylaws, Hosts Summer Social

The Environmental Law Section has updated its bylaws. The changes focus on the section’s approach to the Annual Summit, its list of standing committees, and on adding in more inclusive language (“the secretary” vs. “he”). These changes will be adopted (and a new council elected) at the section’s next meeting on June 29.

The section has also planned a summer social for members and other attorneys interested in environmental law. Each year, the section offers two socials, each designed to bring members into direct contact with state agencies and provide a relaxed atmosphere for members to get to know each other and foster collaborations. This year, the summer CLE and social will be held at ISBA’s office and will feature a presentation by IDEM on the bills that passed this legislative session. Learn more and register »

Family Law Opens Nominations for Nanette K. Raduenz Award

The Family & Juvenile Law Section is accepting nominations for the 2023 Nanette K. Raduenz Award until June 20. The Nanette K. Raduenz Award honors a judicial officer (or former judicial officer) who has gone above and beyond to improve the judiciary in family law. Nominees demand civility and professionalism in their court, exhibit high moral character and ethical standards, protect the rights of all involved in family and juvenile cases, and embody the core values set forth in the judicial oath. If there’s a family law judge you’d like to nominate, fill out the form here »

The Most Bingeworthy Conference: General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Hosts 2023 SSFC

The ISBA Solo & Small Firm Conference was held June 1-3. The conference is presented by the ISBA General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section. Now in its 21st year, this year’s conference saw record-breaking attendance, an impressive feat post-pandemic. Four Indiana Supreme Court Justices (Chief Justice Loretta H. Rush and Justices Mark S. Massa, Geoffrey G. Slaughter, and Derek Molter) shared their insights from behind the bench and were joined by an impressive lineup of other legal professionals sharing tangible takeaways targeted towards solo and small firm practitioners. Conference attendees joined together in these learning sessions as well as well-being activities and both structured and casual connection opportunities. To play along with the conference’s “bingeworthy” theme, attendees also participated in the conference’s first-ever costume party.

The section also presented its annual Hall of Fame award (recognizing 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) during the conference. Congratulations to Maria Matters, Indianapolis!

LDA Committee Celebrates Graduation of 11th Class

Twenty-five attorneys graduated from the 2023 Leadership Development Academy this May in Fort Wayne. The class (and committee) have spent the past five months traveling across the state—from Muscatatuck to West Lafayette to Fort Wayne—learning about different leadership styles and putting their own into practice. They heard from every Indiana Supreme Court justice; local leaders, business owners, and community partners; military officers, government leaders, and problem-solvers. They explored a nuclear power plant, played a paintball game in a shantytown, met with the governor of Indiana, and made long-lasting connections with each other—all in their quest to become better, stronger leaders.

“Don’t ever underestimate yourself,” (Ret.) Justice Steven David shared at the class’s graduation. “Be humble but be willing to step up, take a chance, roll the dice, take some calculated risk, and fail occasionally. You can do this. Do not believe that you are not capable of being an effective leader…We need you now more than ever.” View the list of 2023 graduates »

Pro Bono Committee Helps Launch New Indiana Pro Bono Academy & Resource Center

With help from graduates of the Class 10 Leadership Development Academy and partners across the pro bono community, the Pro Bono Committee has launched the Indiana Pro Bono Academy and Resource Center. The center is a hub designed to train and connect Hoosier attorneys with pro bono opportunities and providers across the state. It offers an entry point for attorneys unsure of where to start, aggregating links to Indiana’s major pro bono organizations and volunteer opportunities. And it offers training through on-demand CLE (available for free and for credit) covering the most common pro bono topics. Through this one-stop shop, you can gain everything you need to feel more comfortable providing pro bono or civil legal aid to low-income Hoosiers. View the Pro Bono Academy »

Well-Being Committee Undergoes Strategic Planning

The Well-Being Committee sat down with ISBA Executive Director Joe Skeel to reevaluate the work the committee is doing and create a new strategy moving forward. Members discussed what the committee does well, how it met its mission, and what they could be doing with their unique position to better support attorneys. Together, they created two new goals to guide the committee’s work from here on out. Goal One: to provide well-being options on a regular, rotating basis and to normalize well-being in conversations. Goal Two: to support ISBA sections and committees through better collaboration, targeted resources, and opportunities and events open to the wider membership.

Young Lawyers Section Offers Legal Assistance to Those Affected by Severe Storms

The Young Lawyers Section is working in collaboration with Indiana Legal Services and the ABA’s Disaster Legal Services to help Hoosiers affected by the severe storms in early April this year. Indiana Legal Services has offered its toll-free hotline (1-844-243-8570) to intake low-income Hoosiers seeking assistance. These Hoosiers will then be matched with attorneys who can help with legal issues like FEMA and SBA financial benefits, home repair contracts, property insurance claims, landlord and tenant problems, disability-related access to disaster programs, and estate planning (re-doing wills and legal documents destroyed by the storms).

The section is currently seeking volunteers who can help answer these phone calls. If you’d like to learn more or express interest in volunteering, contact YLS Rep, Elliott Hostetter at ejhostett@gmail.com, 812-661-8535 or YLS Liaison, Rebecca Smith at rsmith@inbar.org, 317-266-2591.

Let Me Pick Your Brain: Section Surveys

It’s an integral part of any section’s duties—surveying section membership to gauge how members are feeling, gather new CLE topics, and find out what benefits members are looking for. These can be approached in different ways, however, depending on each section’s goals and interests.

For example, both the Criminal Justice Section and the Intellectual Property Section recently shared a “typical” survey with their member. Both utilized a variety of question formats (including sliding scales, multiple choice and multiple selection questions, and open-ended text boxes) to ensure they were getting diverse data from their membership that reflected the questions each section’s council had in mind. Criminal Justice, for example, focused on member benefits and CLE topics, as well as section interest in pro bono or advocacy-related projects. Intellectual Property chose to focus more questions on demographics (where members lived and practiced, and what holes existed in those areas that the section could fill).

Some sections have tried out new approaches to engage their membership and build connections. The Agricultural Law Section held a series of brainstorming sessions via Zoom where participants discussed potential section activities, the merits of in-person vs. virtual education, and connection opportunities. The information from these conversations was then paired with a survey that went out to the rest of the membership. The Senior Lawyers Section recently tried a similar approach: a focus group open to any attorney 60+ to discuss the things that kept them up at night. This created an opportunity for members to form deeper connections with other senior lawyers on top of generating ideas for CLE and events the Senior Lawyers council could host in the following year.

On-Demand CLE Added to the ISBA Library

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

• Open Conversations: Assessing Legal Services and Access in Indiana. View CLE »
• ChatGPT: What Is It, and What Are the Ethical Implications? View CLE »
• 2023 ISBA Paralegal Symposium (Sessions are approved for ISBA Affiliate Member credit, not attorney CLE credit.)
  • Can You Be More Ethical Than Saul’s Assistant, Francesca Liddy? View CLE »
  • Social Media Discovery. View CLE »
  • Efficient Productivity: Shortcuts and Cybersecurity. View CLE »
  • Creating an Authentic Personal Brand. View CLE »

“I have had many wonderful mentors. In junior high school, I had an American History teacher, Mr. Matecun, who was the first teacher who inspired me to love learning. He made it fun to learn by telling personal things about historic figures. I remember (sad that this is the one I remember) he told us that the carpet in the White House had to be replaced after President Buchanan left because he regularly missed the spittoon when he spit out his chewing tobacco! Mr. Matecun remained a mentor and friend until his death.”

- Hon. Martha Wentworth, Judge, Indiana Tax Court

“Gail Bederman, one of my favorite history professors at Notre Dame, was one of my biggest influences. She loved teaching and made learning interactive for us. Professor Bederman helped me consider the world differently and think critically, yet she also wasn’t afraid to challenge me to be a better student and writer. I wouldn’t be the same person or the same attorney without her.”

- Courtney Endwright, Partner, Betz + Blevins

“My tennis coach growing up was the biggest influence. He taught me at a very, very young age what it meant to work hard, be organized, and act with integrity."

- Kent Winingham, Attorney, Wilson Kehoe Winingham

“The mentor who left the biggest impact on me is Ryan Waggoner, a former partner at Ice Miller. Before I even went to law school, I connected with him because I was nervous about going to law school as a first-gen college student from rural Indiana. He taught me that being a first-generation student is an asset, not an obstacle, and I’ve been able to leverage my work ethic and resourcefulness in new ways thanks to him. Now I know how to market my differences and uniqueness in my work and professional development, and it has been immensely helpful. Thanks, Ryan!”

- Libby Moyer, Litigation Associate, Ice Miller LLP

“Judge Charles D. O'Connor, Shelby County, has been a mentor of mine since practically birth. Judge O'Connor was a good friend of my father's which in turn provided opportunity for me to grow up and become close friends with one of his sons. The first time I ever envisioned going into law was when I job shadowed Judge O'Connor in high school. A high school acquaintance was in court that day. I knew the student on a personal level and knew that he was not a stellar student and got in quite a lot of trouble in school. Judge O'Connor only knew the student as a juvenile who was drag racing in the middle of his town putting everyone on the road in danger. Judge O'Connor somehow sensed that this student who was in front of the judge for the very first time needed more than just a reprimand. Judge O'Connor's insight and fair temperament reviewed the case and implemented a sentence accurately appropriate for this individual. Throughout my legal career Judge O'Connor has been a mentor and friend. Even in retirement, Judge O'Connor is always my first call when I need an experienced and knowledgeable ear to listen and guide me through my new solo venture.”

- Martha Showers, Attorney, Showers Legal

Our Member Roundtable series is a series of articles looking at ISBA members from both a professional and personal lens, telling their stories and painting a picture of what makes Indiana’s legal profession the community it is. Each month, we’ll share responses gathered from ISBA members on a different topic, and we encourage you to participate. Share your own responses in the comments, or get ahead of the game and be featured in the next article. You can submit responses at inbar.org/MemberSpotlight.

Previously published roundtables:

• How We Do Pro Bono

Our Contributors:

• Tarah Baldwin (TB), Attorney, Baldwin Legal Group LLC
• Marc Matheny (MB), Attorney, Marc Matheny Law Office
• Daniel C. Reuter (DR), Attorney, Reuter Law Office
• Pablo Svirsky (PB), Partner, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
• Anonymous Attorney (AA)

Their Insights:

Tell us about the pro bono work you typically do.

Pablo Svirsky (PB): Most of my pro bono work is in immigration and one-off clinic opportunities. As a non-litigator, I found early in my career that doing litigation-based pro bono was not a great use of my time. I spent more time trying to re-learn my law school training on cases, briefs, etc., instead of doing actual pro bono work. Immigration work, and citizen applications in particular, have been especially rewarding, given that my family went through that same process when I was a kid.

Marc Matheny (MM): I handle pro bono on a case-by-case basis. I am often referred pro bono clients by the Indianapolis Bar Association and the Indiana Legal Aid Society. Most of these referrals are one-time consultations.

Daniel Reuter (DR): I do three kinds of pro bono service regularly and two others occasionally. I regularly assist in the biweekly telephone clinics sponsored by River Valley Legal Aid and in the local in-person clinics River Valley sponsors here in Brown County. I also answer questions via “Free Legal Answers” with some regularity. Occasionally, I help someone who directly asks for my help and either cannot pay for it or the service is such that I can’t figure out how to charge them. Still more occasionally, I represent a client in a case referred to me by River Valley.

Tarah Baldwin (TB): I establish law clinics. I also volunteer at self-help clinics that assist pro se litigants.

Anonymous (AA): Generally, I field a few calls per month that I know will not result in a case I take, just to see if I can walk the caller through their predicament. The legal system is rather opaque for anyone that has not waded in it for a while, and often a phone call can get someone in the right direction. Or at least give them some direction. I also participate in the ABA’s “Ask a Lawyer” program. Same thing. There are often questions that can be answered in a short email or two. It does not take a big time commitment as long as you are staying in your area of knowledge. A few times a year I will take on a small matter, if they seem to really need the help and it looks like it’s something I can help them with. I tend to avoid this, though.

Why do you do pro bono?

PS: To sleep better at night 😊

MM: I was told by my father (my mentor-lawyer) that everyone has an obligation to occasionally perform free services for those who cannot afford a lawyer.

AA: It only helps everyone and the system when you help out where you can. The legal process is both opaque and scary for the uninitiated. Just explaining to someone how to show up for court and what they can expect helps.

TB: It brings me joy and fulfillment, and part of my approach to legal practice is servant leadership and a deep-rooted belief in access to justice. It may seem naïve, but I believe that you get what you give.

Tell us about your first or most memorable pro bono experience.

TB: It was a Saturday morning law clinic on 10th and Rural Street, assisting with intake for Indiana Legal Services, where I was introduced to issues on everything from landlord/tenant to consumer protection. It was a fantastic introduction on how the legal system can work holistically with medical practice and social work (as was interning with the public defender agency for years, where I represented the indigent as a certified legal intern).

PS: My first experience included interviewing a client in prison, so that was certainly memorable. But my most meaningful pro bono experience was helping a client get citizenship as his wife was succumbing to a serious illness. She was so worried about what would happen to him after she passed, and giving her that peace of mind was really powerful.

AA: My most memorable experience is easy. It was with the ABA. I’m a big ‘dog guy,’ and I helped a lady who was locked out of her house, with her dog still inside. She simply didn’t know what to do and was frozen, unable to act. I put her in contact with the right authorities and I got an update from her the next morning with a picture of her and her dog happy and reunited. The picture is still on my bulletin board. On the other side, I’ve had a couple tell me I was wrong, that I did not help them, and the like. You’ve got to let that go.

For most attorneys, pro bono is done outside of their expected billable hours or on top of a full day’s work. How do you make time for pro bono in addition to your other responsibilities?

AA: Frankly, it isn’t my top priority. We have intake sheets, and as I review them a few will pop out as something that can be dealt with via a phone call alone. Or staff will put on the intake sheet that “they just need someone to explain the situation.” As for the ABA, I often work on the weekends and I will start each morning off by handling a couple questions before diving into other things. I generally don’t spend more than 15 minutes on any question—often much less.

MM: I don’t label pro bono cases as “free”—either in my books or in my head. All my clients, whether pro bono or regular, are treated the same and I keep my hours the same for pro bono and regular hourly clients.

TB: I schedule it.

PS: You just have to prioritize it. We all have a lot of things competing for our time (I say as my 2-year-old eats breakfast next to me right now), and if we don’t make something a priority, it won’t happen.

Having the right information and knowledge to take on a pro bono case can also be challenging or a fear for attorneys going in. How do you prepare for your pro bono work—whatever form or field that may be?

DR: For telephone clinics, I make sure that I have the Indianapolis Bar Association manual “Commonly Asked Questions” handy, since I may be asked about areas of law in which I have never practiced. The telephone clinics do provide a short summary of each inquirer’s concern, and I sometimes look at what I think will be the relevant law before calling the inquirer back. It frequently turns out, however, that the actual question is something quite different.

TB: I work with stakeholders in the community to identify current legal issues or trends facing members of that community. And then I create collaborations with non-profits, bar associations, and businesses within the local community (in legal deserts) to address those issues.

MM: Most of my pro bono referrals are typically for a one-hour free consultation. Only rarely do I end up with pro bono clients who require hours and hours of my time and research.

What other challenges have you faced doing pro bono work? How did you address or overcome those challenges?

TB: There is never going to be enough resources or time in the day to provide representation for all those in need of it. To overcome this challenge, I work in collaboration with the Indiana State Bar Association to develop law clinics that empower the pro se litigant.

MM: The biggest challenge to pro bono work is that potential clients have to be told, right up front, that the attorney time is free, but there are expenses still involved (depositions, court filing fees, witness fees, document protection fees, and so forth). Many times, you cannot provide equal services to the client because they cannot afford the upfront expenses necessary to proceed with a case.

DR: The only serious challenge I warn against is to avoid being manipulated into a situation you never intended. When I used to do in-person clinics in another county, I once allowed myself to be manipulated into representing someone in a case in which, for a number of reasons, I did not wish to appear. Once in a great while it is important to be tough-minded and insist that no means no.

AA: It can be frustrating when someone abuses the situation. I’ve had that happen a couple times over the years—even to the extent that one time I withdrew from the case. Or when a situation is a loser, like when someone blows a response time on the MSJ or the like. However, letting them know to stop spinning their wheels is a benefit to them, even if you know that they may have had a defense and they just blew all the deadlines. The other thing is knowing that you cannot help everyone. Do what you can and do no more. It is not good for you, your clients, or the people around you to take on too much. You have to be able to say no.

Any parting advice to give to someone interested in doing pro bono?

PS: Just do it. Rip the Band-Aid off, make the jump, whichever metaphor works. It’s really not that hard or intimidating once you start, and it will only get easier. But the longer you let yourself stay intimidated, the harder it will be to get started.

AA: You cannot save everyone. You have to be able to say no. Just like the rest of your clients, be skeptical of their story. A story is about emotion. Look past the story and figure out what is going on. One more time: You cannot save everyone. You just can’t. Accept that. Do what you can and someone else will pick up the slack.

TB: Know your commitment level from the beginning. Know the time and resources you are willing to devote in advance and stick to that. Practice with your mind and not with your heart strings. There are a lot of opportunities to utilize your legal education and law license. If you are looking for pro bono opportunities, contact the Indiana State Bar Association or go to IndianaLegalHelp.org to find volunteer opportunities for legal professionals.

DR: One difference between a profession and a job is that a professional person is required by that calling to do things for which she or he is not paid. The people we assist are often frightened and bewildered. It is not necessary to claim omniscience in order to help them. It is okay to admit areas of ignorance, to confess that you cannot provide some information that they need, and to refer them to someone or some organization that can help further. You will have, at least, provided a start and a path for them to follow.

MM: There’s always something you can do to help.

The ISBA is putting together a series of digital “roundtable” articles spotlighting our members and we’d love for you to participate. Every few weeks, we’ll share a new question designed to get to know our members a little better and compile the responses we receive into an article. Want to participate? Submit your response by visiting inbar.org/memberspotlight and filling out the form, and you may be featured in one of our upcoming articles. Submit a response »

Who Knew Olives Were So Complex? Sections Sponsor Etiquette Dinner for 50 Maurer Students

Fifty law students, joined by nineteen ISBA members, picked up some new etiquette tips, put their networking skills into practice, and learned more about Indiana’s legal community. The students were led through a cocktail reception and dinner, learning how to juggle a plate and drink, which way to pass a bread basket, how to properly eat soup, and more. Throughout the evening, they also have the opportunity to chat with practicing attorneys at their table and around the room to learn more about the practice, gain advice on law school, and really see what it means to be a lawyer. Afterwards, the students were invited to join the Young Lawyers Section for an informal social, where they could continue their conversations…without the stress of trying to eat a pitted olive properly.

“I enjoyed talking to attorneys in a more natural setting,” one of the students shared. “They really helped me with what to expect for the rest of law school and my career.”

“The bar group here is incredibly warm and rooting for us.”

This event consistently creates value for both the law students and the volunteers who attend the etiquette dinner with them. So a huge shoutout to the sections who help make it possible:

• Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights
  
• Elder Law
• Employment, Labor & Benefits Law
• Environmental Law
• Family & Juvenile Law
• General Practice, Solo & Small Firm
• Health Law
• Litigation
• Probate, Trust & Real Property
• Taxation
• Utility Law
• Young Lawyers

Let Me Pick Your Brain: New Approaches and Ideas from Other Sections and Committees

Our groups are constantly finding ways to bring value to their members and better represent them. Here are some approaches that sections used in the past couple of months.

Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights: ISBA’s Bankruptcy Section, like many groups, represents members on both sides of the practice—debtors, creditors, attorneys who represent individuals, and attorneys who represent institutions—which can be challenging to manage when it comes time to preparing legislative position statements for the section as a whole. To facilitate that process, the section drafted a legislative policy that includes a step-by-step procedure for how to create a position statement that best represents all categories of their membership. You can view their full legislative policy here »

Litigation: To provide further value to their members, the Litigation Section bought 20 tickets to the 2023 ISBA Judicial Reception. The council offered the tickets complimentary to the first 20 section members who were interested in attending, giving them the opportunity to meet with judges and justices and further interact with Litigation Section members.

Agricultural Law: A few members of the Agricultural Law Section went back to the basics in terms of identifying what opportunities and benefits members wanted from their section. To help reinvigorate the group, they started holding low obligation virtual brainstorming sessions, where any section member could join and share their thoughts on topics like virtual vs. in-person learning and connections opportunities. (If you’re a section member and interested in joining future sessions, email Leah Baker at lbaker@inbar.org.)

Affiliate Membership Offers Third Annual Paralegal Symposium

The Affiliate Membership Committee is putting on their third annual Paralegal Symposium, a six-hour seminar developed exclusively for paralegals by paralegals. The symposium is designed to help paralegals thrive in their careers and provide training on essential skills in one spot. This year, topics covered will include ethics issues for paralegals in particular, technology tips and tricks (including Microsoft and other office technology), social media eDiscovery, and how to create an authentic personal brand. Sessions will be held virtually on May 11 and 12, 2023. Learn more here »

Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Provide Extern Stipend

We all remember the challenge of balancing a law school tuition and other living expenses with a student budget, extracurricular activities, professional responsibilities, and your own peace of mind. To help make that balance a little easier for law students, the Bankruptcy Section offers a stipend to students externing at a U.S. bankruptcy court. Students interested in practicing bankruptcy or creditors’ rights law after graduation can apply for up to $1,000 to offset the cost of their judicial externship. This gives them more flexibility in exploring their professional interests and expanding their networks, without stressing about the financial drain in taking the externship in the first place. View the application form here »

Diversity Committee Sponsors 10th Annual Diversity Dinner

IU McKinney’s annual Diversity Dinner & Reception strives to bring together law students, attorneys, and other members of the Indianapolis community to connect and build relationships with individuals and organizations that promote and embrace diversity. The event, hosted by the IU McKinney Black Law Students Association, the Hispanic Law Society, the Asian Law Students Association, and the Lambda Law Society, also serves as a forum to discuss and reflect on current advocacy work in the community. ISBA’s Diversity Committee is a proud sponsor for the 10th annual dinner. This year’s theme is Advocacy in Action, with keynote speaker Rupal Thanawala, recipient of the Jefferson Award for Multiplying Good in 2022 for her work in central Indiana. Learn more »

General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Opens Registration for the 2023 Solo & Small Firm Conference

Registration for the 2023 SSFC is now open! The Solo & Small Firm Conference is put on annually by the General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section to bring together Indiana’s solo and small firm attorneys for structured and unstructured connection opportunities, business development, and professional resources. This year’s conference will include an opening keynote featuring Chief Justice Rush, Justice Massa, Justice Slaughter, and Justice Molter; CLE sessions, including an Appeals on Wheels Oral Argument; speed networking events; well-being sessions and social activities; and more. You can learn more about the conference and register at www.inbar.org/ssfc.

And did you know that several ISBA sections (Young Lawyers, Litigation, and Probate to name a few) offer scholarships for members of their section to attend the conference for free? Each scholarship includes two nights at French Lick Resort plus conference registration. Applications are open until April 3. View available scholarships »

Tax Section Names Scholarship After Judge Wentworth

In honor of Indiana Tax Court Judge Martha Wentworth, and to encourage law students to enter the practice of tax law, the Tax Section has introduced the Judge Martha Blood Wentworth Excellence in Tax Scholarship. The award is an annual nonrenewable scholarship, worth a minimum of $1,000, granted to a student enrolled in an Indiana ABA accredited law school to help with their financial needs. Winners will be selected based on their merit, scholarship performance, demonstrated experience, and interest in the field of tax law. The scholarship application is currently open until May 1. View application »

Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee Provided Comments on Self-Help Legal Guide

Last year, at the request of the Coalition for Court Access, the UPL Committee reviewed and provided comments on a legal information guide. The guide seeks to better clarify what counts as legal information and legal advice, to assist nonlawyer intermediaries (including librarians, social workers, case managers, etc.) in answering questions posed by a member of the public about the operation of the judicial process. It was created after the court’s Family Law Task Force recommended a legal information guide to help assist court personnel in responding to the increase of self-represented litigants in courts across the state. The Coalition for Court Access sought comments on the guide from the UPL Committee and other groups last year and has voted to approve the guide, which will be shared with legal navigators soon.

Utility Law Section Hosts Spring Seminar

Each year, the Utility Law Section hosts two seminars designed to (1) bring together regulatory law practitioners across multiple industries, and (2) provide relevant updates that double as all the CLE requirements members need for their yearly cycle. The 2023 Spring Seminar will be held at the NCAA Hall of Champions and will feature updates from Indiana commissions and this year’s legislative session, practice tips, and information on recent industry innovations (including nuclear energy). Learn more and/or register »

On-Demand CLE Added to the ISBA Library

The following sections and committees added virtual CLE to the ISBA’s on-demand library. Missed the CLE in action, or want to get ahead on your 2023 requirements? Check them out!

The Pro Bono Committee released recordings from their 2022 Talk to a Lawyer prep CLE series, including

• Best Practices: Working with Non-English Speakers. View CLE »
• Best Practices: Working with Clients Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. View CLE »
• Working with Tenants of Federally-Subsidized Rentals. View CLE »
• Dementia-Informed Advocacy. View CLE »
• VA Benefits Overview. View CLE »
• Family-Based Immigration 101: A Brief Overview of the Process. View CLE »
• Garnishment of Social Security Benefits. View CLE »

1. Lost Billable Hours. Attorneys sacrificed billable hours to “administrate” their firms (the average Indiana attorney billed less than 3 hours/day in 2022), while Big Firm attorneys routinely billed 7-8+ hours/day.
2. High Costs. Attorneys had to purchase everything for their firm at a premium when buying for only 1-2 attorneys.

These headwinds produced an almost insurmountable income disparity that directly contributed to the dire shortage of rural attorneys.

However, with technology and innovation, Main Street attorneys now have the option to shield themselves from these headwinds by bridging geographical barriers and consolidating their firms’ administration. Therefore, the pros and cons of practicing law on Main Street v. Big Law are entirely different than they were 10 or 20 years ago.

The (New) Hallmarks of Main Street

Lots of Clients. Because there are so few attorneys left on Main Street, you will not have to search hard for clients. They are everywhere. In fact, in Indiana, the ratio of attorneys to population in the 4 most populous counties is 300% higher than in the remaining 88 counties.

You Control Your Work-Life Balance. Typically, without dozens of partners above you who rely on your production for their income, you are free to strike the work-life balance you choose. If you want to work as many hours as the Big Firms would require, go for it. But if not, then you are not required to. However, if you are not overly self-motivated and need someone to define a work-life balance for you, then you may not enjoy this freedom.

Meaning and Purpose. Main Street attorneys get to see the tangible impact of their work immediately and frequently. The people you help will have faces and names. You will see them at the grocery store, at your children’s school events, and at church. Your impact will be measurable and discernable.

Income. In the past, the income disparity was so stark between Main Street and Big Law that there really wasn’t even a comparison. But now that Main Street attorneys have the technology to unlock innovative consolidations of administrative functions, this is simply not a factor any longer. Main Street attorneys can bill just as many hours in a day as Big Law attorneys and they can take advantage of the same economies of scale.  And because the supply and demand of attorneys on Main Street is so pronounced, the market opportunity may actually tilt in favor of the Main Street attorney.

Short Commute. There is typically no commute or traffic delays on Main Street. That is unless the football team wins Sectional and the fire department is escorting them around town.            

The Big Law Hallmarks

Grueling First Few Years. Typically, the first few years in Big Law are grueling. With flat salaries and high billable hour requirements, the Big Firm relies heavily on new associates’ hard work. Typically, new attorneys were willing to ‘pay their dues’ in hopes of someday making it to greener pastures on the other side as partner.

Office Politics. Because you have a large number of people in one location, it is inevitable that office politics will become a factor. In particular, when trying to make partner it is important to make an impact on the right people. Instead of working to impress your clients, your partners become the primary focus.

The Lottery. If you can endure the grueling first few years, impress the right partners, become a junior partner, continue impressing the right senior partners, become a senior partner, and then navigate your firm’s partnership production metrics just right—then there truly are some sky-high incomes out there that may feel like winning the lottery. Except, instead of your lottery ticket costing $1, it cost 10-20 years of an out-of-whack work-life balance.

In House Resources. Big Law attorneys usually have infinitely more “experts” in-house to seek out when you have questions. It is not uncommon to have particular attorneys who spend an entire career in Big Law in a niche practice area that a Main Street attorney may only see once or twice in their entire career. However, when Main Street attorneys work together and consolidate their administration, they are starting to level this playing field as well by creating their own extensive network of attorneys around the state.

Rainmaking. Big Law usually requires rainmaking as part of their partnership track for associates and compensation metrics for partners. Main Street attorneys will not have to spend any time or energy rainmaking due to the shortage of rural attorneys. Because so many attorneys are concentrated in the big cities, they are usually oversaturated, and so a part of practicing law in the big city will inevitably include rainmaking (competing for those) new clients. 

When choosing between Main Street and Big Law, each attorney arrives at the decision table with a different set of values that should inform their choice. But until now, we frequently conflated values and necessity. That is because the earning potential was so disproportionate, that there was almost no room for our values to express themselves in the decision-making process.

But now, thanks to technology and innovative thinking, the income field is leveled. Big Law is no longer a necessity. Instead, attorneys are free to make a choice, based on their own values.

Cory Sprunger is the Managing Attorney at SprungerPEO. He is also the Managing Partner of the law firm Sprunger & Sprunger. Between the two companies, he oversees locations throughout Indiana. To continue this important discussion, feel free to reach him at cory@sprungerPEO.com or 260-589-5067.

Staff: “A judge called for you.”

My brain: “What did he say?”

Why does my brain automatically assume a judge is male? Well, because for centuries, all judges were men. Because even now, most still are. Because the default in Roman languages has been to use masculine pronouns and phrases when a gender-neutral term would work fine. We make these linguistic assumptions because they have been true and because we have been conditioned to believe male pronouns cover everyone. They don’t, and we can use our language now to help.        

Support staff member: “A judge called for you.”

Attorney: “What did they say?”

This might seem like PC culture run amok, but cognitive studies have long shown that “even what might be deemed frivolous aspects of language can have far-reaching subconscious effects on how we see the world.”[1]

For example: In German, a key is referred to be a masculine identifier. In Spanish, a key is feminine. When shown a picture of a key and asked to describe it, native German speakers referred to the key as hard, heavy, jagged, metal, and useful. Native Spanish speakers referred to the key as golden, intricate, little, lovely, and tiny. Same object, but because of the gendered language, our brains perceive it differently.

Switch it around: In German, “bridge” is feminine and speakers described bridges as beautiful, elegant, fragile, pretty, and slender. In Spanish, “bridge” is masculine and speakers described bridges as big, dangerous, strong, sturdy, and towering.

This might seem like fun cocktail party trivia, but studies have found that gendered language tends to lead to gender prejudice in behaviors.[2] Even when adjusting for cultural differences, when a speaker uses gendered language, language shapes thought: for example, research shows gendered language tends to lead to greater differences in gendered pay equity.[3]

Again, this is about tricking our own brains out of socialized, unconscious language.

A final word on inclusive language

We covered a lot of ground in this Break Language Habits series, from the importance of correctly pronouncing names to erring on the side of caution when using a person’s title. Maybe you highlighted and annotated each of these articles, just as my high school freshman did their copy of The Odyssey. Maybe one of the pieces really resonated with you, and you started some thoughtful conversation among your colleagues about how you could all work to be more inclusive in your space. Or maybe you rolled your eyes and wanted to throw tomatoes at us with each article. Regardless of where you find yourself, these tips have helped us on our journey to “be better” in our inclusive language habits:

1. Accept this will take time and effort. Committing to changing a habit takes time and effort. There are plenty of books, blogs, podcasts devoted to habits—probably even one from Malcolm Gladwell—if you want to learn about it. We can also provide anecdotes of several New Year’s resolutions that back up this research. Much like all other habits, in the space of developing more inclusive language, suffice it to say, you will only improve if you try. But the more you try, the more you will improve.
   
   
2. Accept that you will mess up. (See the previous bullet point about changing habits.) In the course of writing this series, the co-authors made multiple mistakes that we caught for each other. Jessica wrote “Mothers know best,” and Todd changed it to “Parents know best.” Todd wrote, “when I was a ballboy,” and Jessica changed it to “ball kid.” We both thanked each other for helping hold us accountable; how great it is to have a friend who has your back! You’re going to mess up. When you do, apologize very briefly, and move on. In the comfort of your own time, and maybe with a trusted colleague or friend, revisit when/why your gaffe occurred in an effort to adjust your language choice in similar situations moving forward.
   
   
3. Accept this isn’t about you. While it is about you making changes in your own life, inclusive language is about using terminology that welcomes everyone into important conversations. “You know what I meant,” “I’m too old for this,” “Damn, you can’t say anything now without the PC Police,” or other defensive reactions are, to be blunt, trash. De-centering yourself and exercising The Platinum Rule (treat others how they want to be treated) is essential to inclusivity, but more important, to respect. You rightfully expect people to treat you with respect, and you have the same responsibility to extend this courtesy to everyone you encounter.

And don’t stop with changing your own habits. Be sure to proactively compliment and thank other lawyers and judges who use purposeful language. As a former teacher, I can testify that adults like their gold stars just as much as kindergarteners do. When I emailed a lawyer last week and their automatic reply popped back, “Out on parental leave, please contact so-and-so,” I wrote back how much I appreciated their inclusive language use of “parental” (instead of “maternity” or “paternity”) leave. And thus, we took a teeny, tiny step on our mountain of creating a more inclusive profession. Which, to be honest, is all my legs would carry me anyway.

Jessica Heiser is the Founder and CEO of Imprint Legal Group, a nationwide network of diverse employment, trial, and civil rights lawyers and consultants who have extensive training in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and change management practices. Imprint Legal Group empowers organizations by addressing compliance and culture. Jessica is a former teacher, an attorney, and a Northwestern University-certified practitioner of Leading Equity and Inclusion in Organizations. You can reach her at jheiser@imprintlegalgroup.com.

Todd Shumaker joined Church Church Hittle & Antrim’s sports law group after working at the NCAA National Office where he served as a chair of the Enforcement Inclusion Guiding Team and as a member of the leadership team for the LGBTQ-A+ Employee Engagement Group. He currently serves on the Indiana State Bar Association’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee. You can reach him at tshumaker@cchalaw.com.

This article is the fourth part in the Break Language series. Check out Part One, "What's in a Name? An Entire Identity of Which We Should Be Respectful," Part Two, "Hillary & Trump: How We Refer to Women (and Men)," and Part Three, "Yes, Your Honor(ific): The Potential Problems with Misplaced Manners."

I look forward to hearing from you,
Taylor Smith

"Anti-Hero" might immediately start playing in your head, but you realize you shouldn’t make assumptions about Taylor’s choice of music. Or, more importantly, Taylor’s gender. In this case, you don’t want to be the problem, so you Google this newbie, but there is no indication of gender on their law firm website. Is Taylor a Ms. or Mr. or Mx. or Mrs.? Or none of the above? (Don’t even get me started on how lawyers should be addressed as Dr. because we worked for that doctorate degree, damnit!) You could gamble and guess, and while it may be a simple mistake for you, Taylor has had the same thing happen to them over, and over, and over, for years. They are probably sick and tired of correcting others, and you might get started on the wrong foot.

People with gender-neutral names are commonly misgendered. Individuals identifying as non-binary or transgender are often misgendered, sometimes malevolently. Women are assumed to be married when someone chooses Mrs. over Ms., or infantilized by Miss.

Fortunately for legal practitioners, the law creates a safe space for people of all genders and relationship statuses. Think for a minute: subconsciously we may attach gender to terms like judge or defendant, but the words themselves are entirely neutral. Add in party, witness, counselor, plaintiff, petitioner, respondent, appellant, appellee, and we have nearly a full lexicon of terms at our disposal that are naturally inclusive of whoever crosses our paths. Depending upon our areas of practice, chair or chairperson instead of chairman or chairwoman; officer, detective, or lieutenant—or any rank for that matter—instead of policeman or policewoman; and representative or senator instead of congressman or congresswoman accomplish a similar goal that spans all genders…or none at all.

Make it a habit to get it right the first time. When someone introduces themselves, take note. Look at a signature line to see if it includes pronouns. Check out their website or LinkedIn page. Google them to see if you can find any references to their pronouns in other sources. If all of this is unsuccessful, take it upon yourself to initiate the conversation.

“My name is Todd, and my pronouns are he/him.”

And if you feel completely in doubt, just use the name they’ve used in communicating with you. For some practitioners, this may feel overly familiar or disrespectful, particularly if you were socialized that Mr. and Mrs./Ms. or Sir or Ma’am convey respect. Which they can, when someone has conveyed that preference to you. But it can be the complete opposite when you’re making a guess based on someone’s name or appearance. Manners are all about respect, so if the manners that our elders graciously taught us can become signs of disrespect with the changing times, our practices need to change.

Consider, which is more respectful: Making assumptions about someone you don’t know to make yourself feel better about your manners, or addressing them by the name with which they’ve chosen to engage you? In the example at the start of this article, starting the email with “Taylor”—uncomfortable as it may seem—honors the latter and avoids the former. Just don’t assume.

This practice is actually easier in virtual meetings than in-person meetings (some things did get easier with Covid-enforced Zooms!) First of all, you can use your name on Zoom to convey your honorific, pronouns, workplace, anything you want. This takes out the sometimes-awkward introduction when you’re face-to-face with someone, and nobody has to guess about your identifiers.

Secondly, we find that introducing yourself with pronouns and asking others to do so seems more natural in virtual meetings.

Even as someone committed to adopting more inclusive language, it’s far easier to write about it than practice it. Maybe it feels a little forced or uncomfortable. That is expected any time we work to change habits. As lawyers, though, our primary trade is clear communication. To peers, to tribunals, to clients. And communication is never about ensuring our personal comfort. It’s about connecting what we intend to convey, with what recipients hear. If what someone hears from us turns out to be bias or misgendering, whatever we articulate pales in comparison, even if it’s the most brilliant point we’ve ever made (or at least think we’ve ever made).

For me, it’s felt like learning a new language. Two years ago, my youngest shared with us that their pronouns were they/them. For more than a decade, we had used a set of pronouns that no longer applied. It took us a while to settle into the non-binary world, and we still find ourselves using the wrong pronouns occasionally, particularly when we’re referencing a memory of a younger version of them. We briefly apologize and correct ourselves—or each other—and move on. We’re not perfect, and it’s not easy when we first start to make this type of change.

But it’s about growth, not perfection. And we should always be willing to put in the effort to make the people we care about and serve feel valued.

Jessica Heiser is the Founder and CEO of Imprint Legal Group, a nationwide network of diverse employment, trial, and civil rights lawyers and consultants who have extensive training in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and change management practices. Imprint Legal Group empowers organizations by addressing compliance and culture. Jessica is a former teacher, an attorney, and a Northwestern University-certified practitioner of Leading Equity and Inclusion in Organizations. You can reach her at jheiser@imprintlegalgroup.com.

Todd Shumaker joined Church Church Hittle & Antrim’s sports law group after working at the NCAA National Office where he served as a chair of the Enforcement Inclusion Guiding Team and as a member of the leadership team for the LGBTQ-A+ Employee Engagement Group. He currently serves on the Indiana State Bar Association’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee. You can reach him at tshumaker@cchalaw.com.

This article is the third part in the Break Language Series. You can access Part One, "What's in a Name? An Entire Identity of Which We Should Be Respectful" here and Part Two, "Hillary & Trump: How We Refer to Women (and Men)" here.

• My team referred to female opposing counsel by her first name, but male opposing counsel by his last name (“Call Catherine back,” but “Did Mr. Rodriguez call?”)
• I addressed an email to a male client as “Dr. Jones,” but an email to my female client—who had the exact same doctorate degree as Dr. Jones!—as “Tara.”
• Male administrative law judges were “Your honor” or “Mr. Dodson” in my office, but female ALJs were “Susan.”

Once I noticed my unconscious use of inconsistent, and potentially misogynistic, language, I became diligent about my references to all people by their full name and, if appropriate, honorific.

Young female lawyers and female lawyers of color are particularly susceptible to references so informal that their given name disappears entirely, in lieu of a pet name. “Sweetheart, can you bring me that file?” “Talk up, missy.” “Now calm down, little lady.” “Thanks, dear.”

Ask any lawyer identifying as female and she can tell you a story about when she was referred to less formally or respectfully than her male counterparts. For me, it happens most often when I call another attorney’s office. Early in my career, I called opposing counsel’s office and opened with, “This is Jessica Heiser from [law firm]. Can I speak to Brent Baker regarding [the case]?” The speaker answers, “Jessica? Brent doesn’t take calls from administrative assistants.” “I’m an attorney and lead on this case. I’d like to speak with him about the settlement agreement negotiations.” “Really, sweetie? You’re the lawyer?”

Yes, this happened verbatim. Later that day, in a group of mixed gender colleagues, I shared that story in a “Can you believe this?!” tone. My male colleagues were dubious: Maybe the speaker was confused, maybe you’re reading into it. My female colleagues all nodded in recognition of a shared experience. My female colleagues of color shared worse stories, like my young Latina colleague who shared that a bailiff told her, “Sweetie, that’s not where you sit,” when she sat down at the plaintiff’s table in the courtroom. The bailiff assumed, without talking to my friend, that she was a mistaken individual sitting at the wrong table instead of the attorney arriving to present her client’s case.

Being called “sweetheart” or being asked “Really? You’re the attorney?” may seem innocuous, but this language sends a clear message: (1) You are a small, adorable child and incompetent, not a grown woman who belongs in this space; or (2) As a woman, you belong in a home space, therefore I will call you names appropriate for the home instead of the workplace.

If this strikes you as political correctness run amok, when was the last time you heard someone ask a man in the meeting: “Will you take notes for us, honey?”

Does it sound weird? Condescending? Disrespectful? Then it should also sound weird when it happens to your female colleagues.

Humor can be an effective weapon in these situations. Most speakers unconsciously and idly use pet names because nobody has ever pointed out the inherent sexism in their language, but they can also get immediately defensive if directly corrected and it can ruin a professional relationship. We’ve seen humor and lightness used effectively like this:

But in this space—as in all spaces where we must use conscious language—there is nothing more powerful than bystander intervention. If the woman corrects the speaker herself, she is commonly perceived as defensive and “difficult.” But a bystander can correct the speaker in the moment or later in private, in a deft and effective way that feels authentic and non-confrontational. Like this:

Client: I don’t know who that girl is, but I don’t like her attitude at all.

Attorney: You are referring to the female lawyer who was just here, going over your settlement options?

Client: Yes.

Attorney: Her name is Susan. She is my partner and has, in my opinion, a brilliant legal analysis of your situation. I understand those options were hard to hear, but let’s refer to her as Susan.                                    

OR go for the light-hearted approach:

Attorney: Ah, haha, yes, she does have less gray hair than me and you, lucky duck! But her name is Susan and she isn’t a girl, she’s my colleague who has a brilliant legal analysis that’s going to help save your butt. So let’s call her Susan.

It would be so easy—and tempting!—for the attorney to skip over the correction and allow the client to call the female attorney by “girl,” but with the correction, the attorney has demonstrated to the client that (a) the people in this workplace deeply value and respect each other, and (b) inappropriate language will not be tolerated, so don’t try it again.

One of the most common criticisms is that it’s too difficult to keep up with the changing politically correct tides. What’s okay to say and what’s not anymore? After all, we have full-time jobs! That’s true, language changes with the times and it’s tough to keep up sometimes. But for those looking for an easy ‘cheat sheet’ in 2023, here are some tips:

As always, however, keep in mind The Platinum Rule: Treat others the way they want to be treated. The Golden Rule—treat others the way you want to be treated—only centers you at the interaction. How does the other person want to be referred to? How does the other person want to be welcomed into this space? Busy as we are, we should never be too busy for that extra moment of respect.

Jessica Heiser is the Founder and CEO of Imprint Legal Group, a nationwide network of diverse employment, trial, and civil rights lawyers and consultants who have extensive training in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and change management practices. Imprint Legal Group empowers organizations by addressing compliance and culture. Jessica is a former teacher, an attorney, and a Northwestern University-certified practitioner of Leading Equity and Inclusion in Organizations. You can reach her at jheiser@imprintlegalgroup.com. 

Todd Shumaker joined Church Church Hittle & Antrim’s sports law group after working at the NCAA National Office where he served as a chair of the Enforcement Inclusion Guiding Team and as a member of the leadership team for the LGBTQ-A+ Employee Engagement Group. He currently serves on the Indiana State Bar Association’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee. You can reach him at tshumaker@cchalaw.com.

Section and Committee Leaders Meet for First Quarterly Chair Meeting

Section and committee chairs were invited to the first of a series of quarterly chair meetings this January. Designed as a continuation from the Section & Committee Leadership Orientation new leaders attend at the Annual Summit, these quarterly meetings bring chairs together to collaborate, learn with staff, and establish a dense support network of leaders. “Our hope is that by bringing folks together each quarter,” Executive Director Joe Skeel said, “we all can learn from our shared successes and our shared failures.”

This first meeting focused largely on the communication channels sections and committees have at their disposal to connect both with their members and with the ISBA membership at large. These include channels like Inbar Connect, Res Gestae, Community Corner Blog, Addendum, and the ISBA’s various social media platforms. Chairs also looked at best practices for promoting CLE and other events.

Leaders will continue meeting throughout the year to share ideas, brainstorm solutions to challenges, and connect with each other.

Sponsoring the Future of the Profession

Each year, ISBA sections sponsor various ISBA and community-driven programs across the state. These include the Indiana Bar Foundation’s general civics education fund, We the People, Mock Trial, and the Mock Trial Diversity Initiative, as well as ISBA events like the Leadership Development Academy (LDA) or the Solo & Small Firm Conference (SSFC).

Section sponsorships of these programs are a huge help in improving civic education for Hoosiers and in supporting Indiana’s community of legal professionals. We want to give a big thank you to all the sections who’ve elected to sponsor or donate to these projects recently:

• Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Section: donated $500 to We the People and $500 to the Indiana Bar Foundation’s general civics education fund
• Criminal Justice Section: donated $1,000 to sponsor LDA and $723 to sponsor a scholarship for the 2023 SSFC
• General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section: donated $4,000 to sponsor We the People and $1,600 to sponsor LDA
• Utility Law Section: donated $3,000 to sponsor We the People and $1,600 to sponsor LDA

A New Connection Opportunity: Introducing the Associate Empowerment Series and In-House Counsel Empowerment Series

Sections and committees provide multiple opportunities for members to connect with others in their practice area or who share similar interests. To further refine those connection opportunities and build an even stronger support network, the ISBA is introducing two new cohort programs. These cohorts bring together an intimate group of ISBA members with similar careers, challenges, and goals in one place where they can share advice, develop new strategies for success, and build a close-knit network of support.

The Associate Empowerment Series is a cohort of 20 midlevel and senior women associates, developed with the support of the Indianapolis Women’s Empowerment Network (I-WEN). The 20 members gather virtually throughout the year to learn from each other, brainstorm solutions to common challenges, and help position each other for success. You can meet the inaugural members here »

The In-House Counsel Empowerment Series is still accepting applications. This cohort brings together in-house counsel from across the state for four in-person sessions centered around communicating effectively, leading a team towards a unified goal, and being a more strategic partner. Members will also develop a strong professional support network, find new accountability partners, and walk away with a personal strategic plan. You can learn more and register here »

Uniting Solo and Small Firm Attorneys

The General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section has been busy the past couple of months. The section hosted a CLE and holiday party for members in December, with a presentation by Mark Nicholson on establishing and maintaining successful relationships with clients. Members also banded together to donate hats, gloves, and coats to Hamilton County Coats for Kids.

The section has also opened nominations for the General Practice Hall of Fame Award. The 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. The attorney must exhibit, through their practice, the highest standards of ethics and professional competency, with selection criteria emphasizing a high level of service to clients, the profession, and the community. Nominees must be ISBA members but do not have to be members of the section. Learn more and/or nominate »

The annual Solo & Small Firm Conference is also quickly approaching. As a preview of what content will be presented this year, all practitioners are invited to a teaser CLE for free. Mike Mooney will look at the most commonly overlooked gaps in lawyer’s liability coverage and provide ways to help mitigate claims before they arise. His presentation will be followed by an IndianaDocs demo and Q&A. Learn more and register »

Welcoming the 11th Class of New Leaders

Class 11 of the Leadership Development Academy is off with a bang! The LDA Committee selected 25 members to join the 11th class of the program, with members ranging from South Bend to Evansville, from mid-career to fresh out of law school. Meet the members of Class 11 »

The class’s first session was held at Fort Harrison State Park in January. Members spent the weekend getting to know each other and their personal strengths (and struggling to build a paper tower) under the guidance of presenters Tiffany Lemons and Catherine Matthews. The class also visited former Indiana Supreme Court Justice and Professor Frank Sullivan at his home for an introductory dinner, and heard from Justice Mark Massa on the importance of being balanced leaders in a current culture of contempt and political division. The class will convene later this month at the Indiana Statehouse to meet with legislators and political leaders. 

Expanding the Reach of Pro Bono

The Pro Bono Committee held their first in-person Pro Bono Clinic this weekend. In efforts to expand access to attorneys and legal advice, the committee partnered with One More Non-Profit to host a series of in-person clinics throughout the year. The first one, held at The Haverstick, focused on supporting local community members with expungements, landlord-tenant issues, and immigration. Five volunteers were able to help over a dozen members of the public throughout the clinic. The next is planned for April. If you’re interested in volunteering or getting involved with the committee’s pro bono efforts, email Kim Latimore-Martin at klatimore-martin@inbar.org.

Registration Is Now Open for the 21st Women’s Bench Bar Retreat

The Women in the Law Committee invites you to register for the Women’s Bench Bar Retreat this March. The annual retreat brings together women attorneys and judges from across the state for a weekend of education, community-building, and fun. This year, it’s time to “ante up” for the event’s 21st anniversary, with CLE covering topics like criminal and family law, ethics, and lawyers running for office, as well as several social events designed to bridge the gap between Indiana’s bench and bar. The retreat will be held at Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth, Indiana on March 10-12. You can register here »

Or learn more about the history of the Women’s Bench Bar Retreat »

On-Demand CLE Added to the ISBA Library

The following sections and committees added virtual CLE to the ISBA’s on-demand library. Missed the CLE in action, or still missing hours for 2022? Check them out!

• Law Practice Management Committee—Hiring for the Long Term: Best Practices for Hiring and Managing Lawyers and Legal Staff. View CLE »
• General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section—Attorney-Client Relations: The Feel-Good and the No-Good. View CLE »

What’s in a name? An entire identity of which we should be respectful.

"It's Shoe-maker."

I don't know how many times I've corrected someone mispronouncing my last name, Shumaker ("Shoe-mach-er" is the general winner). Occasionally, I’ll even encounter someone who wants to explain to me the etymology of my last name and why their pronunciation is more correct than mine.

We all grew up with nicknames. I grew up with Matts and Zachs, Jessies and Betsys. In these instances, they were natural extensions of Matthew or Zachary, Jessica or Elizabeth.

The first introduction I had to nicknames as proxies for more difficult-sounding names was as a ball boy for the local university soccer team. (Note to self: ball person or ball kid would be more inclusive moving forward.) “V” was a player from southeast Asia whose name, coincidentally, started with a V. Looking back, I don’t know whether he chose this nickname for himself, or whether it was adopted by someone who felt his name was too difficult to pronounce.

Regardless, this stuck in my subconscious well into my adulthood, it turned out. When I started working in college sports and found myself interviewing someone with a name that was difficult for me to pronounce, I would deflect with some well-placed self-deprecation and hope for an “easier” alternative. I'd say something like,

"Forgive me, but I grew up in the Midwest with names like Brown and Miller. Please pronounce your name for me."

Maybe it was well-intended enough, but it was the follow up that was a bit more selfish. If the person didn't voluntarily suggest a nickname I was more comfortable with, I’d ask:

"What do you prefer I call you?"

I hoped desperately for some variation on the first-letter-as-a-nickname or shortened-version-of-a-last-name moniker. If they didn't suggest one, I would just thank them, then most likely never attempt to pronounce their name again.

For most of us, mispronouncing a word or name can be embarrassing. I thought I was being respectful by ensuring I didn’t embarrass someone with my ineptitude. But how in the world is it respectful to not call someone by their given name because it's not sufficiently familiar to me? That still centers me and my comfort as the priority of the interaction.

Contrast my experience with a story from Emmy Award-winning actor Uzoamaka Aduba, a Nigerian-American, who grew up in a New England town where her name was frequently mispronounced. One day, she asked her mother to call her by the more Anglo-sounding “Zoey.” Her mother responded: “If they can learn to say Tchaikovsky and Michelangelo and Dostoyevsky, they can learn to say Uzoamaka.”[2]

Mothers know best. (Note to self…again: Parents know best.)

Even if we mispronounce a name, it’s usually by accident or because we are embarrassed at our inability to pronounce a word with which we are unfamiliar. But how we react can send an exclusive message: I don’t have the time to get this right. You aren’t important enough for me to figure this out. You’re different. You don’t belong in this space (country, community, courtroom).

What for us is a pronunciation issue can be deeply personal for the person across from us. In many cultures, names are given as a prophesy and have deep meaning to the family. A few years ago, I spoke with a neighbor about his conversion to Islam and he shared how he had chosen his name. When he reciprocated and asked me what my name (Todd) meant, I didn’t have much of an answer. “Uh, Todd was the name of a fox in a Disney movie. Plus, it’s a bit of a family name. I think I have a great uncle and a great-grandfather named Todd.”[3]

As a parent, I can appreciate the struggle in coming up with a fitting name for a child. When someone invests time and effort to select a name for a child—or for themselves—we owe them a level of care in ensuring we address them appropriately. Imagine your parents naming you “Mubashira,” meaning “one who brings good news” because you were their first healthy child after many lost pregnancies…and then you get to a law firm on our first day and your boss chuckles, “I’ll just call you Molly, okay? That’s much easier.”

But this is an easy fix when we’re willing to put in the work! If you encounter a client or colleague who has an unfamiliar name to you, do not:

• laugh or make a joke about the name (even like “Woah, haha, I’m not cultured enough for such a sophisticated name!”),
• pretend you cannot pronounce it,
• ask for a nickname,
• ask for an “easier” or “more American” name for you to pronounce,
• immediately ask “where are you from?”
  

Instead, if necessary, ask them to say their name again. Digest it and pronounce it back to them to confirm you’re saying it correctly. Then, as you leave the encounter, think of some mnemonic device you can use to ensure you address them correctly when you next meet. Or, more importantly, so you can assist others in pronouncing their name. A simple, polite correction can go a long way in helping (“Your Honor, can we hold up a second here, I know you run your courtroom with respect for everyone and I want to make sure we are all pronouncing my client’s name correctly. It’s Mr. Zhang, pronounced j-ahn-g. Not ‘zee-hang.’”).

Instead, start your encounter with any new acquaintance by introducing yourself, then following up with these questions:

• How would you like to be addressed?
• [If it is an unfamiliar name to you] Can you help me pronounce your name correctly? I want to be respectful, and I hope you will correct me if I get it wrong.
  

Jessica Heiser is the Founder and CEO of Imprint Legal Group, a nationwide network of diverse employment, trial, and civil rights lawyers and consultants who have extensive training in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and change management practices. Imprint Legal Group empowers organizations by addressing compliance and culture. Jessica is a former teacher, an attorney, and a Northwestern University-certified practitioner of Leading Equity and Inclusion in Organizations. You can reach her at jheiser@imprintlegalgroup.com.

Todd Shumaker joined Church Church Hittle & Antrim’s sports law group after working at the NCAA National Office where he served as a chair of the Enforcement Inclusion Guiding Team and as a member of the leadership team for the LGBTQ-A+ Employee Engagement Group. He currently serves on the Indiana State Bar Association’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee. You can reach him at tshumaker@cchalaw.com.

[1] Our amazing colleague Kristen Matha wrote a great explanation of implicit bias here: https://www.inbar.org/blogpost/1981821/478434/Incorporate-bias-interrupters-into-your-daily-work-to-make-fairer-decisions-and-advance-equity.

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTPC73SdRkA

[3] Co-author’s note: Todd’s name may not have profound meaning, but “Jessica,” as we all know, comes from ancient Gaelic for “one who was born in the 1980s to uncreative parents.”

Misperceived Habits

Now You’re Speaking My Language

One issue I run into commonly when communicating with non-English speaking clients is how we should hold our conversations. I had previously been able to conduct our services in common languages among our clientele, thinking of needing to save the expense of hiring an interpreter. I formerly assumed if someone claims they can speak English or another common language between us, we can communicate. However, I felt the need to adapt and always ask for the preferred language of a potential client and to provide an interpreter if needed.

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 >>

In the past, ISBA has partnered with all three law schools to offer an etiquette dinner and networking event for law students, where students can both learn proper etiquette skills and connect with Indiana attorneys. After several successful events, Notre Dame Law School asked to partner on an etiquette dinner for all their 1Ls during their orientation week. And with support from various ISBA sections and volunteers, we took on the challenge. Over 150 students attended the event in August, joined by over 20 ISBA volunteers. They learned the ins and outs of etiquette—from which fork to use when, to how to pass bread around a table, and all the other anxiety-inducing questions that come with a first professional networking and dining experience. Students were also able to meet ISBA members, talk about the field, get advice, and learn from the people who were once in their shoes. View photos from the event >>

We couldn’t have had such a successful event without help from all the sections who sponsored and volunteered:

• Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights
• Elder Law Section
• Environmental Law Section
• Family & Juvenile Law Section
• General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section
• Health Law Section
• Litigation Section
• Probate, Trust & Real Property (PTRP) Section
• Utility Law Section
• Young Lawyers Section

Family & Juvenile Law Section Gives Gale M. Phelps Award

The Family Law Section awards the Gale M. Phelps Award to an attorney who has demonstrated exceptional service and contribution to the family law legal community and who has worked diligently to elevate the standard of professionalism in the field. This year, the well-deserved winner was Kris Costa-Sakelaris. Kris graduated from St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, then earned her Juris Doctorate from Valparaiso University in 1992. She has worked as a probation officer and court administrator, a Magistrate with Lake County Superior Court, Civil and Family Decision, and an Executive Director of the Hammond Legal Aid Clinic. She has also served on several nonprofit boards, including the Board of Directors of Haven House (a domestic violence victims’ shelter in Hammond) and the Board of Directors of the Hammond Academy for Science and Technology. Kris was presented the award at a reception in Crown Point this September.

Latino Affairs Committee Sponsors Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

The Latino Affairs Committee has partnered with the United States District Court, Bankruptcy Court, and Probation Office for the Southern District of Indiana for the sixth annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. The event brings together some of the important Hispanic figures in the state and works to educate the public and Indiana’s legal profession about Hispanic culture and the challenges facing Hispanic communities in Indiana. This year, the keynote speaker is Hon. Mario Garcia, Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, and the first Hispanic judge appointed to the court. Judge Garcia will discuss his family, his professional background, and how his life experiences—and those of his ancestors—led him to the bench. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and learn more about Hispanic representation in Indiana’s bench and bar. Learn more about the program >>

LDA Committee Opens Applications for Class 11

The Leadership Development Academy has opened applications for Class 11 of the program. Applications will be accepted until November 1, 2022.

Open to legal professionals within 5-15 years of practice, LDA prepares the next generation of leaders among Indiana’s legal professionals. The program helps participants identify their skillsets, develop their own leadership strategy, build a network of support, and leave an impact on their community. Class members travel across the state over 5 sessions, meeting government and local leaders, learning about Indiana’s unique needs, and putting their leadership skills to the test. If you or anyone you know may be interested, please visit www.inbar.org/LDA to learn more. If you have any questions, please email Kristin Owens at kowens@inbar.org.

Read Q&A with Andrew Teel (LDA Class 3) on the program >>

Apply for Class 11 >>

MVAC To Present at Battlemind to Home Summit

Military & Veterans’ Affairs Committee members will be presenting at the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University’s Battlemind to Home Summit this November. The summit begins on November 14, with a three-hour CLE that qualifies for mandatory education credits in VA Law as required by the VA Office of General Counsel for acquiring and maintaining VA representative accreditation. MVAC members will be presenting in the summit’s legal track, as well, including topics on evictions, benefits, guardianship, and LGBTQ+ issues impacting military veterans and their families. Learn more about Battlemind to Home >>

Tax Section Awards Scholarship

The Tax Section annually awards a scholarship to a law student intending to practice tax law in the state, in the hopes of facilitating and encouraging students to enter the practice and become active members of the section. This year, they awarded $1,500 to 3L Franklin Hunt-Gonzalez. Franklin is a student at Maurer, who became interested in tax law after taking a research course and working on hypothetical cases. “I adjusted to this type of work more intuitively,” he wrote, “as it felt like I was working for a real client and not breaking down a more abstract academic principle….With the general public’s fear or misunderstanding of many financial issues involving the IRS, I’d like to do my part to help clients walk through what can be an intimidating period of their lives.”

Franklin worked at the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic in Bloomington this summer, and plans to look for permanent placement at a firm following graduation next year. “I am so pleased to see Franklin dive deeper in his pursuit of his tax law interests,” wrote one of his professors in a letter of recommendation for the scholarship. “His course selections, extracurricular activities, and employment experiences are shaping him into a fine young attorney-in-the-making.”

ULS Successfully Hosts In-Person Seminar

The Utility Law Section hosted their annual fall seminar this month and saw a return to pre-COVID attendance numbers. The two-day event took place in Bloomington and focused primarily on connecting section members with each other, providing a reception and ample opportunity for networking and socializing. ULS also brought in high-quality and engaging speakers—including national speaker Stuart Teicher—and made sure the CLE covered timely topics that members were interested in, like legal writing and the ethics of working remotely. In a time where the event world is in constant flux, the seminar showed that in-person events could still be successful, as long as the opportunity to connect and the chance to learn relevant topics are there.

Well-Being Committee Creates Resource Repository

If you’ve ever wanted a one-stop-shop for well-being resources in the legal field, the Well-Being Committee has just granted your wish. As part of their mission to support and inspire a culture shift in the profession, the committee compiled a webpage of important and timely well-being resources for ISBA members. Learn about well-being in general, see what work is being done across the state, get a bird’s eye view of organizations and groups active in the field, and keep on top of key articles, CLE, and events that may help your well-being practice. The committee updates the page monthly, as new articles and resources are released. Check out “Well-Being for legal professionals” >>

What is implicit bias?[3]

• Implicit bias refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner.
• These biases, which encompass both favorable and unfavorable assessments, are activated involuntarily and without an individual’s awareness or intentional control. 
• The implicit associations we harbor in our subconscious cause us to have feelings and attitudes about other people based on characteristics such as race, gender, age, and appearance.
• These associations develop over the course of a lifetime beginning at a very early age through exposure to direct and indirect messages. In addition to early life experiences, the media and news programming are often-cited origins of implicit associations.

A few key characteristics of implicit biases.[4]

• Implicit biases are pervasive. Everyone possesses them, even people with avowed commitments to impartiality such as judges.
• The implicit associations we hold do not necessarily align with our declared beliefs or even reflect stances we would explicitly endorse.
• We generally tend to hold implicit biases that favor our own ingroup, though research has shown that we can still hold implicit biases against our ingroup.

How can our implicit biases impact opportunity?[5]

• According to research studies, the following opportunities are shared unevenly with historically excluded/underrepresented attorneys (e.g., women, people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, and individuals with disabilities) by attorneys in positions of power and influence, with unchecked implicit bias accepted as the major cause.
  • Networking – informal and formal
  • Access to decision makers
  • Mentors and sponsors
  • Meaningful work assignments
  • Candid and frequent feedback
  • Training and development
  • Client contact
• A specific type of implicit bias—affinity bias, which is a bias for others who are more like you—plays a significant role in driving opportunity disparities in law firms as it causes people to develop deeper work relationships with those who have similar identities, interests, and backgrounds.
• When senior lawyers (the vast majority of whom are white men) gravitate and share opportunities with others who are like themselves, they disproportionately limit historically excluded/underrepresented attorneys from these critical opportunities—enough to make a material difference in how their careers progress compared with lawyers who have greater access to these opportunities.

What are bias interrupters?[6]

• Bias interrupters are evidence-based tweaks to basic business systems (hiring, performance evaluations, assignments, promotions, compensation) that mitigate implicit bias in the workplace.
• Organizational bias interrupters change existing business systems; individual bias interrupters are steps individuals can take on their own to help level the playing field in their workplace.
• Bias interrupters change how we work to disrupt the transmission of bias in our decision-making, which leads to more diverse and better performing workplaces.

Examples of individual bias interrupters you can implement to make fairer decisions and advance equity within your work.

1. Balance opportunities in a free-market assignment system.[7]
   • When assigning a project, review the entire list of associates who are eligible to complete and/or lead the project. By consulting the written list, you don’t rely on your mental list, which may be skewed towards people who are more like you due to affinity bias.
   • Keep track of your assignment decisions and rotate projects among the eligible associates to ensure that you are providing equal and fair opportunities across the team.
2. Learn how to spot bias.[8]
   • Before completing your next round of performance evaluations, watch this short two-minute video and read the Identifying Bias in Performance Evaluations Guide.
   • Before conducting your next recruiting interview read the Identifying Bias in Hiring Guide.
3. Audit your mentoring engagements and networking invitations.
   • On a quarterly basis, review your mentoring engagements and networking invitations and reflect on the diversity (e.g., gender, race, and ethnicity) of those individuals. Is the group diverse or homogenous and in what ways? Do you share the same social identities as those individuals?
   • If you share the same social identities as the group, then proactively seek out individuals who are different from you for your next round of mentoring engagements and networking invitations to diversify your circle. Review these tools from Rutgers on strategies for inclusive mentoring.

This publication is intended for general information purposes only and does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice. The reader should consult with legal counsel to determine how laws or decisions discussed herein apply to the reader's specific circumstances.

Kristen Matha serves as Ice Miller's Director of Diversity and Inclusion. She is responsible for operationalizing the Firm's diversity and inclusion strategy using a data-informed and collaborative approach. In her role, Kristen is focused on developing equitable systems and processes that grow a more inclusive culture. 

[1] Richard F. Martell, David M. Lane, and Cynthia Emrich, “Male-Female Differences: A Computer Simulation,” American Psychologist 51, no. 2 (1996): 157.

[2] Monica Biernat, M.J. Tocci, and Joan C. Williams, “The Language of Performance Evaluations: Gender-Based Shifts in Content and Consistency of Judgement,” Social Psychological and Personality Science 3, no. 2 (2012): 186-192.

[3] The Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, https://kirwaninstitute.osu.edu/article/understanding-implicit-bias

[4] Id.

[5] Kathleen B. Nalty, “Going All-In on Diversity and Inclusion,” The Law Firm Leader’s Play Book, (2015): 17-20.

[6] The Center for WorkLife Law UC Hastings College of the Law, https://biasinterrupters.org/

[7] Vernā Myers, The Vernā Myers Company, https://www.vernamyers.com/

[8] The Center for WorkLife Law UC Hastings College of the Law, https://biasinterrupters.org/

The History

It all started in 1996. After the national CLEO program had stopped operating in the state, former Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard urged Indiana’s General Assembly to create a program to replace it. Something accessible and robust, that could help college students in need pursue a law degree in the state. And the legislature listened. They put together a bill for a state CLEO program that would grant funding to historically underrepresented, low-income, and educationally disadvantaged groups, as long as they were admitted into a state law school. That year, then-Governor Frank O’Bannon signed it into law and granted it funding.

The first ICLEO class was welcomed only a year later at IU Maurer School of law for a six-week intensive Summer Institute. Out of the 30 scholars attending, 25 went on to graduate from Indiana law schools. And the program only continued growing from there.

The Here and Now

This June, ICLEO welcomed its 26^th class at Notre Dame Law School.

Since its inception, over 650 scholars have passed through the ICLEO Summer Institute. The scholars admitted spend the summer before their first year of law school meeting members of the legal community, immersing themselves in preparatory coursework like legal writing and case analysis, and building a network amongst themselves and their peers. Legal faculty support them through the process – prepping them not only for the academic challenges of law school, but also for the social, personal, and professional challenges of a career in law.

Upon graduating the program, scholars receive financial aid and a network of support through their time at law school. They also receive access to professional development opportunities, bar prep help, networking and social events, and even CLE credit to support them on their paths thereafter.

Their Stories

And there’s no questioning the impact ICLEO has had on the face of Indiana’s legal profession. It has been instrumental in shaping the paths of hundreds of attorneys, partners, and judges and making law accessible to many of today’s leaders. Here are only some of their stories:

Judge Rudolph Pyle, Court of Appeals, Fourth District (ICLEO Class of 1997)

"ICLEO played a significant role in introducing me to the legal profession in Indiana. After my career with the Indiana State Police, ICLEO provided a launch pad for networking that helped me secure a judicial clerkship with the Honorable Carr L. Darden at the Court of Appeals of Indiana. My career trajectory to the judiciary can be tracked back to ICLEO and the many opportunities for networking it provided. Without ICLEO, it is hard to imagine the blessings I have enjoyed throughout my career."

Pamela Grant-Taylor, Attorney, Marion County Public Defender Agency (ICLEO Class of 2003)

"ICLEO made it possible for me to pursue law school and become an attorney. At the time that I applied, I was a chemistry teacher in IPS. I was unhappy with my career and I was seeking other career opportunities. I had considered law school after I graduated from undergrad in 1992 but I wasn't ready. The summer institute helped prepare me for law school and gave me the encouragement and support to take a leave of absence from teaching to pursue law. It was one of the best decisions of my life!

"Programs like ICLEO are important to Indiana and the legal profession because it helps to bring much-needed diversity to legal practitioners in Indiana. The ICLEO family creates mentors for new fellows each year and a network of diverse professionals across the state and, in some instances, the United States. 

"I have very fond memories of my 2003 ICLEO experience and fellows. I keep in touch with many fellows. ICLEO was life changing and I am thankful and grateful daily that I am an attorney. I truly enjoy what I do. I would not be an attorney if I had not been selected as an ICLEO fellow."

LaShaila Spivey, Attorney, The Law Office of LaShaila L. Spivey, LLC (ICLEO Class of 2016)

"Programs like ICLEO are important to Indiana and the legal profession because they empower law students and create equity within the legal profession. My experience with ICLEO gave me so much confidence before my first year of law school. Throughout law school, I was given financial resources, networking opportunities, and career support that was vital to my success. Without ICLEO, the probability of a Black girl from the eastside of Indianapolis, born to teenage parents, finishing law school and becoming a licensed attorney was very slim to none. Indiana, and the legal profession as a whole, need programs like ICLEO to create more diverse first-generation attorneys like myself. Greater diversity in the legal profession creates more equitable outcomes and systems that don’t only cater to one type of person."

Sundeep Singh, Associate, RileyCate LLC (ICLEO Class of 2018)

"I can say with confidence that ICLEO has had a positive impact on my legal career and is a major reason why I have been successful in the practice of law to date.

"When I heard horror stories about law school and at what lengths some law students would go to in order to obtain the highest grade, I was terrified. However, ICLEO quickly dispelled my fears. ICLEO served as a vital support system for me as I entered law school and eventually the legal profession. My legal education was greatly bolstered from the support, guidance, and training from ICLEO.

"Separate from the academic side, I met life-long friends and colleagues that exemplify the camaraderie that our legal profession strives for. During ICLEO, I had the opportunity to develop my network with legal professionals in the community along with Justices on the Indiana Supreme Court, like Justice Steven David, that evolved into lasting friendships and mentorships.

"I continued to stay involved with the ICLEO program and went on to be an ICLEO clerk for the Hon. Paul D. Mathias of the Indiana Court of Appeals and Hon. Steven H. David of the Indiana Supreme Court. Through these judicial externships and experiences offered by ICLEO, I gained invaluable knowledge that I used not only during my law school career but also in my legal career. Due to ICLEO, I was a better law student and now a better practicing attorney."

View a full list of the many (many) ICLEO fellows in this Indiana Court Times article, “Celebrating 25 Years of Indiana CLEO” >>

You can learn more about the program here >>

Register to attend the ICLEO 25th Year Celebration Gala >>

Congratulations on 25! Here’s to continuing to make the path to law easier and improving the diversity of Indiana’s bench and bar!

The ISBA has wrapped up some major programs in the past few months – both of which would not have been possible without the support of many ISBA sections and committees.

Class 10 of the Leadership Development Academy graduated in May. 18 attorneys from across the state (and even one member outside it) successfully completed the program, gaining new connections, perspectives, and key leadership skills along the way. This year, the class traveled from Indianapolis to New Harmony, from Muscatatuck to Crown Point. They met with every Supreme Court justice, the governor of Indiana; local judicial, business, and community leaders; as well as established attorneys and ISBA members. They learned from legislative leaders, experienced the first in-person Open Conversations, all on top of exploring the heart of Indiana’s different communities. And all of it was made possible with support from the following ISBA sections:

• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Appellate Practice
• Bankruptcy & Creditor’s Rights
• Business Law
• Construction & Surety Law
• Criminal Justice
• Elder Law
• Employment, Labor & Benefits Law
• Family & Juvenile Law
• General Practice, Solo & Small Firm
• Health Law
• Intellectual Property
• Litigation
• Probate, Trust & Real Property
• Tax Law
• Utility Law
• and Young Lawyers.

The 20^th Annual Solo & Small Firm Conference was also held in June, and was a huge success. From golfing to bowling to spectacular CLE and a pretty memorable cut-out, the 200+ members who attended had a great chance to both network and learn. The GP section awarded the GP Hall of Fame Award to Michael Simmons with Hume Smith Geddes Green & Simmons, as well as honored Justice Steven David for his years of service to the conference.

View photos from the conference >>

Celebrate 20 years >>

And thank you to all the ISBA sections who sponsored a scholarship to the conference and helped make the event possible:

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

National Awareness: Alternative Dispute Resolution Section to Bring In a National Speaker for Their CLE

Later this September, ADR will be hosting a CLE with Dr. Joshua Weiss, co-founder of the Global Negotiation Initiative at Harvard, a Senior Fellow of the Harvard Negotiation Project, and Director of Bay Path’s Master of Science in Leadership and Negotiation Program. The section has been planning to bring in a national speaker to talk to their members for nearly a year – undergoing a process of researching, studying, and vetting a series of speakers before deciding on Dr. Weiss. His background educating professionals on negotiation, consulting with major companies (including Microsoft and General Motors), and his extensive research (including his work on the Negotiation Tip of the Week podcast, which was downloaded more than 2 million times between 2007 and 2010) made him the go-to choice. He'll be speaking at a CLE on negotiations – for both ADR section members and non-members – in September. More information will be forthcoming.

Restating Values: The Animal Law Section Updates Its Mission Statement

The Animal Law Section voted to update its mission statement last month, reframing its goals so it could be a better resource for the legal community. The original statement focused largely on what animal law meant to the group and to the profession at a large.

The Animal Law Section was formed to generate interest in a new section that relates to or impacts any law related to animals. Animal Law is much broader than ‘animal rights’ or ‘animal welfare’ in that it focuses on animals and their impact on humans as the core of the representation. These laws can include a cross-over to criminal law, trust and estate law, family law, civil litigation and disability law.

The new statement moves the section’s purpose more towards taking action, outlining the types of projects they’ve been involved in this year and what they’re hoping to continue focusing on.

The Animal Law Section focuses on all matters relating to the laws of non-human animals within the State of Indiana and their impact. The Section seeks to be a resource for the legal community and the public by providing continuing education, commenting on proposed legislation, and connecting members across the legal community.

The section will also be hosting a CLE later this month on estate planning with pets. Lisa M. Adler, a partner with Harrison & Moberly, LLP practicing in estate planning, will outline current Indiana law regarding pets (including pet trusts) that you can use to guide your own estate planning or that of your clients. Learn more >>  

If you’re interested in animal law, even if you don’t practice in it, you’re welcome to join the section. They have a lot of projects and goals planned for the year – from CLE and other educational resources to legislative advocacy. You can contact the section liaison, Megan Mance, for more information at mmance@inbar.org.

Disability: Language and the Law – All Facets of Diversity

The Diversity Committee, in partnership with the IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law, created a straight-to-on-demand CLE on ableism. Ableism and disability are often-overlooked aspects of DEI work, but they can still have a large impact on people’s professional and personal lives – even in ways you may not have realized or acknowledged. To shed some light on this area of diversity, Dr. Angélica Guevara, Assistant Professor of Business Law and Ethics at IU Kelley School of Business, recorded a presentation on disability and the way it is currently perceived. She provides advice on language to use surrounding ableism, shares best practices, and discusses how (and why) we should reframe our idea of disability. The committee sourced questions from members beforehand, so Dr. Guevara also spends some time addressing and answering those. Give the recording a listen >>

It’s Back in Person, Baby – 2022 Litigation Symposium

For the first time since 2019, the annual Litigation Section’s Litigation Symposium is being held in person on August 25. The symposium is a collection of CLE the section offers every year on one day. In the past, the sessions have been focused largely on legal writing and analysis – providing tips and tricks for litigators and other attorneys to improve their practice. This year, the section is bringing in Richard Gabriel – an expert trial consultant who’s worked with high-profile cases like O.J. Simpson, Casey Anthony, and Aaron Hernandez. He’ll be leading 5 hrs. CLE, drawing from his experiences and practices and your questions and problem areas, to outline the core principles of persuasion for motions, mediations, opening statements, and closing arguments. Through interactive demonstrations and exercises, he’ll walk attendees through the state of today’s juries, the art of advocacy, how to craft evidence as narratives, the future of the judicial system, how to improve overall trial performance, and how to effectively persuade your legal audiences. It’s bound to be of interest and practical use for any attorney – whether they go to trial or not – as they continue to improve their ability to negotiate, mediate, or settle cases.

Litigation section members and other attendees will also have the chance to more intentionally connect with each other after the program, during a social offered at the end of the day. Register here >>

Pro Bono, Pro Bono, Wherefore Art Thou, Pro Bono?

The Pro Bono Committee has been doing some exciting work on making pro bono accessible to attorneys. Working with members of LDA’s Class 10, the committee is creating and populating a searchable database (utilizing Paladin, of HONY fame) of pro bono opportunities across the state. Once complete, ISBA members and attorneys will be able to find service opportunities by location, practice area, time required, etc., removing the time spent searching for a perfect pro bono project and placing all opportunities in one spot. Meaning attorneys are that much more able to help out in their communities. More information will be coming soon.

“A judge shall not abuse the prestige of judicial office to advance the personal or economic interests of the judge or others, or allow others to do so.”  Code of Judicial Conduct R. 1.3.

“The duties of judicial office, as prescribed by law, shall take precedence over all of a judge’s personal and extrajudicial activities.”  Code of Judicial Conduct R. 2.1.

I never met Judge Redding. In nearly 20 years of practice, I never heard a story about him. Yet in February 2022, I read an online article from the archives of a local library that stirred the conscious. From 1976 through 1979, Judge David Redding’s time on the bench shook the Elkhart County bar to its core. It caused controversies that spilled into the public. And, perhaps more importantly, it shaped the minds of brilliant young attorneys that would go on to become some of Elkhart County's most respected and revered attorneys and judges; attorneys who I have learned invaluable lessons from over the past 20 years. 

This writing is only partly based on the article. If you read the article, keep in mind that it does not address the full story. Talking with those who lived through and practiced in Elkhart at the time, the full story highlights the necessity of our rules of professional and judicial conduct. In 1976, a much younger David Redding took the bench after defeating Circuit Court Judge Aldo Simpson. Aldo Simpson was highly respected and on the Circuit Court bench in Elkhart County from 1932-1976, a record holding 44 years. Born in 1892, Judge Simpson was 84 in 1976. He was on the bench for the end of the Great Depression, all of WWII, a man landing on the moon, and Vietnam. He almost made it to Rocky I and Star Wars. Judge Simpson was competent, wise, but slow on adopting change. Redding ran on change. 

While many of the attorneys I spoke with thought Redding had some good ideas, he had a temper and treated many who interacted with him with hostility. He abused his power. In one example, I was told he threatened to throw one man in jail for contempt for not wearing a necktie in court. As hinted at in the article, he blurred the lines between the roles of judges, attorneys, prosecutors, and witnesses. In fact, a former judge who witnessed the events told me that the “simple moral of the story is that judges need to be judges. Attorneys need to be attorneys. Prosecutors need to be prosecutors. And public defenders need to be public defenders.” The system works best when everyone is focused on their jobs.

“A judge shall perform the duties of judicial office, including administrative duties, without bias or prejudice.” Code of Judicial Conduct R. 2.3(A).

“A judge shall not practice law.” Code of Judicial Conduct R 3.10.   

In Elkhart County, attorneys choose where they file civil cases. They did in the late 1970s as well. Though Redding was considered intelligent and competent by most, attorneys chose to file civil cases in other Elkhart courts rather than deal with the atmosphere surrounding the Circuit Court. After issues came to a head involving a confrontation with Elkhart’s well-respected prosecutor, where Judge Redding threatened to find him in contempt, Judge Redding chose to resign. According to the article, Judge Redding himself is quoted as admitting that he may have “spoken a little harshly with certain individuals outside of the courtroom.”

“A judge shall be patient, dignified, and courteous to litigants, jurors, witnesses, lawyers, court staff, court officials, and others with who the judge deals in an official capacity . . .” Code of Judicial Conduct R. 2.8(A)

Judge Redding’s short tenure on the bench shaped the attorneys of the time, especially the judiciary. Judge Redding’s replacement was Circuit Court Judge Gene Duffin, who I have never heard speak harshly to anyone. Judge Duffin was appointed after Redding’s resignation and served Elkhart County as Circuit Court Judge for 18 years. He is soft-spoken and one of the best mediators you will ever find in the state of Indiana. His skill in settling cases is legendary. Judge Terry Shewmaker, who proceeded Judge Duffin for another 3 terms on the bench, is also one of Indiana’s best mediators and has a wealth of knowledge about the blend of art, science, and the process of conflict resolution. Both are problem solvers. Both quietly acknowledge and treat all parties and attorneys they encounter with respect. They also welcome new attorneys. The first time I went to Circuit Court to have Judge Shewmaker review a routine order prepared by a senior partner, he spent a few minutes with me and just had a conversation with me in chambers. When I got back to the office and the senior partner asked me how it went, I handed him the executed documents and said, “I think it went well, he called me dude.”

“A judge shall accord to every person who has a legal interest in a proceeding, or that person’s lawyer, the right to be heard according to law.” Code of Judicial Conduct, R. 2.6(A).

“A judge shall act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary, and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety.” Code of Judicial Conduct R. 1.2

As attorneys, lawyers are the face of the legal system. Whether judge or not, we are all attorneys and have a duty to conduct ourselves professionally. The first paragraph of the preamble of the Rules of Professional Conduct states: “A lawyer, as a member of the legal profession, is a representative of clients, an officer of the legal system and a public citizen having special responsibility for the quality of justice. Whether or not engaging in the practice of law, lawyers should conduct themselves honorably.” Additionally, lawyers “should demonstrate respect for the legal system and for those who serve it, including judges, other lawyers and public officials.”  In our dealings with the court, Rule 3.5(d) states that a lawyer shall not: “engage in conduct intended to disrupt a tribunal.” Additionally, Rule 4.4(a) states that lawyers “shall not use means that have no substantial purpose other than to embarrass, delay, or burden a third person, or use methods of obtaining evidence that violate the legal rights of such a person.”

Recently I met an attorney for a case in the attorney’s lounge in a nearby county. It was full . . . not a single attorney was present, but there were volunteers preparing ballots for absentee voters.  Even before the pandemic, my own county attorneys’ lounges have slowly been reduced to emergency waiting rooms. When I started practicing, new attorneys were sent to court to check mailboxes, get routine orders signed, and file documents with the courts. In that process you met other attorneys, witnessed other attorneys practice in court, and made mistakes that would teach you how to practice law. You received instant feedback that if you treated the clerk’s office with respect when you forgot a summons, a form of notice, or a minute entry while trying to file a packet of information, the hard-working people that worked in that office would treat you with respect. Meaning that they would hold your filing, not reject it, while you ran back to your office to correct the mistake. 

We are coming out of a pandemic. While different counties are emerging at different speeds, one thing is consistent in all 92 counties. In one way or another, the practice of law has changed and will continue to change. This is especially true for those of us who represent clients in courts, whether you call yourself a litigator, a trial lawyer, or just a lawyer. Some of the changes, like virtual status conferences and e-filing, save clients time and money, are highly efficient, and benefit society. They are good changes. But even with the good changes, we need to acknowledge the downside. There are entire articles written on present day attorney well-being, due in part to increased isolation. With electronic filing, a new attorney will get less opportunities to have those micro touches that are invaluable early on in learning how to practice law. 

As our profession evolves, it is important to keep in mind the words of President Harry Truman: “There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know.” The history of Judge Redding’s short tenure on the Court is directly applicable to the social media influenced world we live in today. There are no shortcuts to learning to practice law; our craft is learned by hard work, perseverance, and experience. We learn from those before and around us. Our ethics rules and our history should be kept in mind as we emerge from this collective experience with the pandemic.

Andrew Hicks is a partner at Warrick & Boyn, LLP, located in Elkhart, Indiana. Andrew has been a member of the Indiana Bar since graduating Notre Dame Law School in 2002. Andrew has served as a member of the Indiana Bar Association’s House of Delegates on behalf of Elkhart County since 2003, as a result of which he has had the privilege of meeting some of the amazing lawyers who provided the background information for this article.

Animal Law took an active role in this year’s General Assembly by providing testimony and getting a bill passed. HB1248 prohibited direct public contact with big cats and bears, a huge step forward in conservation efforts and in preventing attractions like Tim Stark’s Wildlife in Need. To ensure the bill would pass, the members of the section came together to provide testimony to the House Committee on Natural Resources. “We believe that this bill will go a long way in protecting public safety and enhancing animal welfare in Indiana,” they wrote. “As the bill moves forward, we hope that you will see the Animal Law Section as a resource for information on the laws and regulations affecting animals.” The bill moved through the House and to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, where the section once again submitted testimony in favor of the bill. Their hard work paid off. The bill passed through both committees, and, on March 11, was signed into law. It takes effect July 1 of this year.

The section has been busy in other areas, as well. Members completed their newsletter, full of legislative updates and a look at “ag-gag” laws. They partnered with APABA to put on a CLE for the association’s Annual Lunar New Year CLE. And they are working with a student member to start a chapter of the Animal Legal Defense Fund at IUPUI (to further animal law and to provide support to local law students).

An Evening with Appellate Judges – Appellate Practice Section

A full house, a full day, and stellar presenters – that was Appellate’s Evening with the Appellate Judges and CLE. The section typically puts together the event – where Indiana litigators can meet and connect with members of Indiana’s Court of Appeals – every year, but this was the first year since the pandemic that members could get together. The event started with a full day of programming on state constitutional law led by seasoned experts like Chief Justice Rush and Judge Jeffrey Sutton of the U.S. Court of Appeals. Then, that evening, attorneys met for a reception and dinner at Indy’s Skyline Club with judges and justices. It was a return full of connections, reconnections, and community-building – perfect after a couple years of isolation.  View photos from the event >>

Updating the ISBA’s Goals – Diversity Committee

The Diversity Committee researched, wrote, and proposed an updated diversity position statement for the ISBA at the April Board of Governors meeting. The board tasked the committee with writing a new position as one of the goals under ISBA’s strategic plan. A subcommittee of members met to analyze the previous statement, consider other associations’ statements, and draft one that matched the ISBA’s goals. They proposed their drafted statement at the April meeting, and, after a round of revision, the following was adopted:

The Indiana State Bar Association (ISBA) will integrate diverse perspectives into all aspects of its activities and into the fabric of the legal profession of this state. ISBA, engaging with lawyers and others within the legal profession from all backgrounds, strives to build a diverse pipeline to the legal profession, and to inform the broader legal community about issues surrounding diversity and inclusion. The ISBA takes affirmative steps to eliminate bias and enhance diversity to ensure that members of all backgrounds, identities, and circumstances are included in every level of the organization. This commitment is not only essential to the pursuit of our mission “to improve the administration of justice and promote public understanding of the legal system,” but it also strengthens our ability to address all of our members’ needs and the needs of those the ISBA's members serve and represent in our respective communities.

Helping Where We Can – Elder Law Section

This month, as part of its mission to disseminate information and promote the health, welfare, and financial security of elder citizens in Indiana, the Elder Law Section will be volunteering at various Area Agencies on Aging across the state. The section reached out these AAAs to see if there was any interest in attorneys giving presentations to their members. They more than met the AAAs’ need and throughout the entire month of May will have members presenting in all corners of the state – from northwest in Crown Point to down in New Albany, with several stops in-between. A perfect way to both honor Older Americans Month and provide important information to an underserviced population.

Summer Socials and Member Connections – Family & Juvenile Law Section

Joining Appellate in a return to pre-COVID events is Family Law’s summer social. The section invites members for a chance to connect with new members, visit old friends, and take a break from the hustle and bustle of a quickly approaching summer. There will be wine, live music, and several opportunities to socialize with the section. Both current and prospective members who want to learn more about the section are invited to attend.  Register on the ISBA website >>

SSFC: The Biggest Solo & Small Firm Conference in the State – General Practice, Solo & Small Firm

The 20th annual Solo & Small Firm Conference is quickly approaching. But more than just providing CLE, the conference brings attorneys together. It provides statewide connections, opportunities to further develop your craft, and a chance to make friends, find mentors, and really become a member of the state’s collection of solo and small firm attorneys. As such, we want to give a huge thank you to the ISBA sections who sponsored a scholarship for this year’s conference, giving attorneys a chance to become part of this community:

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

And if you haven’t registered already, be sure to save your seat. The planning committee has brought in three keynote speakers: Justice Steven David (who will be reflecting on his past and providing hints for attorneys as they race into the future), Lisa Mitchell (who will discuss how to have winning conversations with clients), and Samuel R. Ardery (who will share his story of alcoholism, the price it exacted, and the recovery that saved his life, family, and career).  Register for the conference >>

Encouraging the Next Generation – Taxation Section

The Tax Section will be awarding a $1,000 scholarship this year to an Indiana law student intending to practice tax law in the state. The section typically sponsors the award annually in the hopes of encouraging students to practice tax law and to stay in the state (with an added bonus of encouraging active participation in the section). Last year’s scholarship winner, Andrew Philip Nguyen, held an interest in business law and transactional dealings. He used the scholarship to fund tuition and books at Maurer School of Law, and he will be completing a work opportunity at Barnes & Thornburg this summer. This year’s winner will be selected shortly. This is an excellent opportunity for an ISBA section to showcase support for Indiana law students, foster relationships and mentorships within a section, and encourage law students to continue working in Indiana’s legal profession after graduation.

A Deep Dive into Practice Specific Programming – Utility Law Section

ULS held its annual Spring Seminar in April, providing practical advice and takeaways for the electric, communications, consumer, water, and natural gas industries. Each year, the section offers two seminars – one in the spring and one in the fall – that provide practice-specific CLE and update members on the direction the industry is heading. Over 100 ULS members attended this year’s Spring Seminar. And the event, on top of offering 7 hrs. CLE/2 hrs. Ethics and pragmatic practice tips, was a great opportunity to meet and network with other seasoned regulatory law professionals in the state.  View photos from the event >>

Re-Evaluating Our Mission – Well-Being Committee

The Wellness Committee has undergone a name change! ISBA’s Board of Governors accepted the committee’s proposed name and purpose statement change at their April meeting, changing “Wellness” Committee to “Well-Being” Committee. Their new purpose statement now reads: “The Well-Being Committee believes healthy and positive lifestyles are vital to the practice of law. This committee supports and inspires a culture shift by advocating for the importance of physical and mental well-being, personal growth, career satisfaction, and community involvement.” The change follows a shift in the field and a movement to supporting both physical and mental health. “Wellness” as it is now perceived defines physical health. “Well-being,” on the other hand, is more encompassing; it refers to mental health, career satisfaction, community engagement, etc., on top of a healthy lifestyle. This shift better reflects the work the committee wants to do moving forward.

And one of the first steps in pursuit of their new purpose statement was the committee’s prep for Well-Being Week in Law. The national celebration of all dimensions of well-being is held the first week of May every year, with each day honoring a different subset of well-being (e.g., physical, social, emotional, etc.). The committee put together resources from partner programs, ISBA, and the Institute for Well-Being in Law for each day of the week, and correlated resources for ISBA’s social media channels.  Access well-being resources >>

How to Make Connections When We’re Stretched Across the State and Coming Out of a Pandemic – Young Lawyers Section

The Young Lawyers Section has put together their second cohort for the Young Lawyers Networking and Mentorship Initiative. The program was developed in the middle of the pandemic to provide a way for “developing lawyers” (whether that be a newly admitted lawyer, someone experiencing a mid-life career change, or a more experienced attorney who’s entering a new practice area) to connect with each other and with a seasoned professional who serves as a mentor. Each cohort is broken down into several small groups, each with four or five young lawyers and one group leader to serve as a mentor. Throughout the program, the groups meet monthly – both in a small group and in an assembly-wide meeting – for resources and themed presentations by expert speakers. The group then gets a built-in support network to discuss challenges they are facing, brainstorm solutions, make connections across the state, and get advice from an established mentor. Over 40 people have signed up for this year’s program, with a variety of practice fields and interests. They’ll be meeting over the next few months and making connections with each other.