Indiana’s newest justice has officially joined the state’s highest court. Loretta Rush had a private swearing in ceremony Nov. 7. Her public ceremony will be held Dec. 28. Rush is just the second woman to serve on the state Supreme Court.

Gov. Mitch Daniels selected Rush in September to replace retired Justice Frank Sullivan Jr. She continued her work on numerous pilot programs involved in Tippecanoe Superior Court until she joined the Supreme Court, as well as worked on a transition plan and finished the trial court’s 2013 budget.

“My colleagues on the bench and the court staff send our warmest welcome to Justice Rush. She is widely respected for her wisdom, sound judgment, and dedication as a jurist and for being an effective and innovative administrator,” Chief Justice Brent Dickson said in a statement.  

Her first oral arguments are scheduled for Nov. 21.

“It has been a wonderful privilege to serve the people of such a remarkable and caring county,” said Rush referring to Tippecanoe County where she was Superior Court judge from 1999-2012. “It is tough leaving my colleagues, staff, and the people of our county. I look forward to joining the Indiana Supreme Court as the next justice in this amazing opportunity to serve our entire state.”•

– IL Staff