There are many ways for members to serve the profession through the Indiana State Bar Association. Many of these options allow members to build new connections, practice their skills, and gain visibility within the legal community, all while becoming better legal professions.

Find many of these opportunities below, and chat with us about additional ways to be involved by emailing us at memberconcierge@inbar.org.

Attend events

You’re likely to learn something new at an ISBA event, but you’re certain to make new connections with others in the legal field from across the state.
Get started: To find ISBA events, visit www.inbar.org/events

Be a House of Delegates representative

ISBA members are invited to represent their peers in the annual House of Delegates meeting. House of Delegates members consider and vote on proposed ISBA legislation. You don’t need experience with ISBA legislation to be a representative. We simply ask that you review the proposal provided before the meeting and use your judgement to consider if it should be passed. Any ISBA member is eligible to be a delegate. Members serve as delegates by representing their county. Each county is allotted a certain number of delegates, calculated based on number of ISBA members within that county. 
Get started: Email Kim Latimore-Martin at klatimore-martin@inbar.org to find out how to become a delegate and to receive a reminder when delegate signup is available.

Be a speaker

Share your insights on a topic in which you have deep experience. Apply to be a speaker at an ISBA CLE.
Get started: Learn more at www.inbar.org/speak

Become a leader within your section or committee

Each section and committee is led by a chair/co-chairs and other council positions. Section leaders are selected by the section each year in the Fall. Committee leaders are nominated by the ISBA president each year in the Fall. Terms are either one or two years. 
Get started: Email your section or committee liaison to indicate your interest in serving as a leader and to learn about the selection process. Find your liaison at www.inbar.org/sections-committees

Become a certified specialist

ISBA is an Independent Certifying Organization (ICO) for Family Law and Trust and Estate Law. These specialization programs are designed to recognize attorneys who have achieved a level of experience and expertise in their field and to advance professionalism and civility in the area of practice. 
Get started: If you’re substantially involved in family or trust and estate law and would like to explore becoming a certified specialist, visit www.inbar.org/specializations. 

Join a section or committee

Deepen your practice through an ISBA section. You’ll meet others across the state in this practice area and have meaningful conversations about topics important to your practice. Sections have online listservs where members pose and respond to questions and discussions. Sections also are called upon to weigh in on relevant existing and proposed legislation.

Get involved with a special interest area through an ISBA committee. You’ll get to know others with similar interest areas and work on projects that you are passionate about. 

Get started: For additional information and to join a section, visit www.inbar.org/sections-committees

Join the ISBA Board

Volunteer board members work together to determine the direction of the organization, while also performing some oversight functions. The four primary functions of the board are governance, vision/future focus, policy/position development, and fiduciary oversight. Members who are nominated face an election at the annual meeting of the Association Assembly in the Fall. After being approved, new board members serve a two-year term.
Get started: Learn more at www.inbar.org/Join-BOG 

Mentor Match

Be mentored by an attorney with experience relevant to yours or be matched with someone looking for experience like yours.
Get started: Find or become a mentor at www.inbar.org/mentor

Reach out to other ISBA members

Use the member search tool to connect with new attorneys in a certain location or practice area. Search by name or find attorneys based on location or keywords in their biography. From there, read a member’s biography and send them a message.
Get started: Use the member search tool at www.inbar.org/member-search

Read Addendum newsletter

Keep an eye out for this bi-weekly email newsletter containing unique opportunities just for members to get involved or serve others.
Get started: Addendum is sent to all active members to the email address associated with their membership account. Make sure to keep your email updated by visiting www.inbar.org/members/edit.

Participate in Leadership Development Academy

This unique program provides training for lawyers with up to 15 years’ experience to become leaders in their practice, community, and the ISBA.
Get started: Learn more and apply for LDA at www.inbar.org/lda

Write an article for Res Gestae magazine

Respond to a published article or share new insights of your own. Your email address will be included in the magazine alongside your article, and many authors report receiving several responses to their perspectives. 
Get started: Submit an article for consideration to Res Gestae Editor Abigail Hopf at ahopf@inbar.org. For additional information on submissions, visit www.inbar.org/submit-rg

Volunteer with our partner organizations

Indiana Bar Foundation’s Mock Trial program and We the People program seek attorneys to volunteer as judges and facilitators. Learn more on the Indiana Bar Foundation’s website. Learn more »

The Indiana Legal Help Pro Bono Opportunity Guide curates numerous pro bono opportunities for Indiana attorneys into one convenient site. Learn more »

Indiana Legal Services Inc. assists in civil areas such as housing, public benefits, consumer, health, and family law.  The organization advocates on behalf of its clients in state and federal courts, with landlords and nursing homes, and before administrative bodies such as the Social Security Administration, the Division of Family and Children, the unemployment office, housing authorities, and township trustees. Learn more »