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• My President’s Update is usually a few bullet points detailing the activities and accomplishments of the Indianapolis Bar Association. However, as 2025 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on what an incredible honor it has been for me to serve as President of the Indianapolis Bar Association alongside our President Elect, Katie Jackson Lindsay, and First Vice President, Adam Christensen, as well as our entire Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. When I was sworn in by Chief Justice Loretta Rush at the Installation Breakfast in January, I stated that my job was going to be fairly easy since our Executive Director, Julie Armstrong, and her team at IndyBar always keep the association moving in the right direction, keeping our members informed and engaged. My goal was to keep the train from derailing and fortunately, thanks to Julie and the IndyBar staff, I think it remains on the tracks.
• This year we saw our members show up in meaningful ways. We continued our collaboration with the IU McKinney School of Law led by VP of Law Student and Young Lawyer Engagement, Scott Oliver, by conducting mock interviews for over 150 1L students. We tracked and engaged with legislation that impacts our members through our Public Advocacy/Legislative Committee chaired by Lacey Berkshire. Our members volunteered their time through the Pro Bono Committee with programs such as the Virtual Ask a Lawyer, the Free Wills Clinic, and engagement with the legal services organizations in Central Indiana like Indianapolis Legal Aid Society, Kids’ Voice of Indiana, Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic, and Indiana Legal Services. Our members provided mentoring opportunities for young lawyers through the Mentor Connect program and we connected lawyers by providing networking opportunities through the Indy Attorneys Network.
• IndyBar engaged thoughtfully on the issues shaping our profession such as the Future of Law in Indiana regarding legal deserts in parts of the state, the beneficial impact of in-person CLE programs, and the Office of Attorney General Order 01-2025 regarding state contracts with law firms that have DEI initiatives or a Mansfield Certification, among other issues.
• On May 1st, in collaboration with the Indiana State Bar Association and its President, Michael Jasiatis, our Rule of Law Committee, chaired by Chris Hickey and Travis Jensen, organized a Law Day celebration on the steps of the Federal Courthouse with over 300 lawyers. It was a moving and inspiring day to hear Justice Christopher Goff reflect on the importance of the rule of law and to have Judge Sarah Evans Barker re-administer the Oath of Attorneys to all attorneys in attendance.
• On July 10th, alongside the Indianapolis Bar Foundation, the Marion County Bar Association, the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Indiana, IndyBar’s Lambda Committee, and IndyBar’s Hispanic Lawyers Division, we gathered with 1100 lawyers and their guests to attend a historic luncheon featuring an interview by Judge Jane Magnus Stinson of United States Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson at the Indiana Convention Center. This was the first time that the Indianapolis Bar Association has hosted a United States Supreme Court Justice. Justice Jackson captivated and inspired the audience with details of her journey that led to her selection as the first African American female on the United States Supreme Court.
• On November 19th IndyBar conducted its annual Recognition Breakfast where we congratulated the 50-Year Practitioners and recognized those members of our legal community for their contributions to our legal community as well as our community at large. You can find a list of all award winners at www.indybar.org/recognition.
• The Indianapolis Bar Foundation, led by President Briana Clark, Kent Winingham, and Amber Finley, had an outstanding year in 2025 where they continue to focus on philanthropy, education, and service to our community through their various programs and initiatives. Their efforts and your donations support the foundation’s ability to support our local community’s access to justice.
• Unfortunately, 2025 was also a difficult year for our association as we lost several of our legal leaders with the deaths of IndyBar Past Presidents Skip Kappes, John Trimble, John Kautzman, Gene Henn, and Hon. Cynthia Ayers. We owe a deep debt of gratitude to these past leaders who gave so much of themselves to IndyBar and our legal Community. May they rest in peace.
• Looking ahead, there’s no question that the practice of law is changing. Technology, artificial intelligence, and an evolving workplace are reshaping how we do our work and how we interact. With our strategic planning retreats and the input of so many of our members and others in our legal community, IndyBar is well equipped to meet these challenges. I want to thank everyone who gave their time, ideas, and energy this year. Your involvement is what makes this association the strongest and most respected metropolitan bar association in the country. We welcome anyone in our legal community to join and become engaged with our initiatives and networking. Have a safe and happy holiday season!•
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