Former Bartholomew County magistrate named Indiana Public Access Counselor

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has appointed Brittney Long, a former Bartholomew County Circuit Court Magistrate, to be Indiana’s Public Access Counselor starting Monday.

Long’s duties will include educating the public and state officials about their rights and responsibilities under Indiana’s public access laws, recommending improvements of those laws to the legislature and conducting research, according to the Indiana State Government website.

Braun lauded Long’s legal career, which includes more than a decade of experience, in a brief statement issued Friday. She most recently served as deputy general counsel for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Long also served as a magistrate with the Bartholomew County Circuit Court from 2022 to 2026.

Before that, she was an attorney with the Indianapolis law firm Voyles Vaiana Lukemeyer Baldwin & Webb, according to her LinkedIn profile.

“Brittney has the legal credentials and passion for public service that makes her an excellent fit for the job,” said Braun in the statement. “As our next PAC, Brittney will bring added transparency and accountability to our state.”

Long replaces Jennifer Ruby whom Braun had appointed public access counselor in March 31, 2025.

Earlier this year, the Indiana Capital Chronicle said a coalition of media organizations from around the state had threatened litigation over the handling of complaints about open government matters by the Office of the Public Access Counselor. The letter noted that Ruby had not met statutory requirements in terms of issuing opinions or responding to complaints.