Lawyers with a flair for entertainment will have the opportunity to shine this year at the Indiana State Bar Association’s annual meeting.

On Oct. 20 the ISBA will present a competitive talent show. Acts include Herman Foster, a member of the ISBA Senior Lawyers Section, singing “God Bless America,” with Justice Brent Dickson accompanying on piano (Justice Dickson is only performing, not competing to win).

Andrea Ciobanu, of Massaro & Ciobanu, is competing on piano and is organizing a series of skits by the Young Lawyers Section of the bar. Asked what audience members could expect to see in the skits, she would only say, “It’s a secret.”
 

Indianapolis attorney Steve Spence, of The Mediation Alternative, will perform his magic act at the Oct. 20 ISBA talent show. Spence has been performing magic since 1999 and is president of the Indianapolis Assembly of the Society of American Magicians. (Photo courtesy Steve Spence)

While remaining hush-hush about the program, Ciobanu did reveal that the skits will involve members of the YLS along with top leaders of the state bar.

“It’s a good networking thing for young lawyers to be networking with top leaders. And the top leaders are showing a really good sense of humor – they’re not taking themselves too seriously,” she said.

ISBA membership coordinator Kevin Mohl will play guitar and sing original compositions. Mohl, a member of the band Six Way Stop, said his band mates were, unfortunately, unavailable to attend.

The annual event begins at 10 a.m. Oct. 19 with the Indiana Bar Foundation annual meeting. Other meetings continue throughout the day, with outgoing ISBA President Jeff Lind formally kicking off activities at a 9:30 p.m. welcome reception.

On Oct. 20, a noon awards luncheon will honor members of the bar for their service and professionalism. Throughout the day, a series of continuing legal education topics will cover some of the hot-button issues lawyers want to know about, including, “There’s an App for That: Mobile Apps for Lawyers,” presented by attorneys Stephen Terrell, Derrick Wilson, and Bill Wilson (see related story on page 7 of Indiana Lawyer).

G. Michael Witte, secretary of the Indiana Disciplinary Commission, will at 4:30 p.m. present “Witty Ways to Avoid G. Michael Witte.”

After the 8:30 p.m. talent show, bowling team practice begins for the 11 p.m. bowl-a-thon, sponsored by the James C. Kimbrough Bar Association.

Oct. 21 begins with a 5K Run/Walk, and the day concludes with the Randall T. Shepard Award Reception, honoring excellence in pro bono service.

The bar invites attendees to bring donated items for Crisis Connection, a non-denominational advocacy agency for victims of sexual and domestic violence in Southern Indiana. A list of specific needs can be found on the Crisis Connection’s website at www.crisisconnectioninc.org/donations.htm.

Full event and registration information is available on the Indiana State Bar website: www.inbar.org.

On Nov. 9, Indiana Lawyer will feature news and developments from the annual meeting, along with an interview with the incoming ISBA president, C. Erik Chickedantz.•