Morning interviews wrap up

From reporter Michael Hoskins:

Joseph Pearman
Though he lives in Carmel now, Joseph Pearman said he’s from northern Indiana and that means he is the only applicant to offer representation of that part of the state. The Tax Court would be a challenge and would complement his diverse career, legally and otherwise. He explained his work in drafting pensions and defined benefit or contributions plans in divorce cases. He also delved into what he saw as the impact of the Town of St. John case and that tax rates had to be raised. Pearman also went into his views about how judges shouldn’t be activists and legislate from the bench, and the judiciary and legislature must have a careful dialogue without collaborating because they are two separate branches.

Joby Jerrells
Joby Jerrells discussed his present work with the Attorney General’s Office and also his limited practice out of his home in Bloomington, where he has permission from the state agency to represent civil and criminal clients and do some pro bono work. Though he’s been practicing for only seven years, he sees his diverse caseload as a benefit and describes his work as being a “large body of work” in all areas of law. He discussed his work on the Trump and Aztar cases, which allowed him to use his policy-analysis skills and also showed him how the principles of the law apply more than the dollar amount. Jerrells also talked about his not including any references from the AG’s Office; he explained that was because he didn’t ask because he did not want to put the office into a position of having to choose between the applicants from its office.

Melony Sacopulos
Melony Sacopulos talked about how she’s always enjoyed the “intellectual puzzles that tax law presents,” and pointed to her diverse tenure with Indiana State University. Her experience at the university means handling many different areas each day and having to make prudent judgment calls that impact someone’s life or career. She discussed being in Washington, D.C., attending night school and also working for a national tax office, handling many issues that were uncommon. She views the tax judge’s job as being one of issuing decisions that are prompt, well-written, and concise. She also finds the Internet makes the court’s job even easier because more people have access to tax information from governments online. The judge’s opinions that interpret statute should be the extent of the relationship between the court and legislature, she said.