IndyBar: Stop What You’re Doing. Make Someone’s Day!

Sometimes it seems like there are awards for everything. The fact is lifting someone up can never be done enough and recognizing colleagues for their hard work is always time well-spent. Be the person that makes someone’s day by taking a few minutes to nominate a fellow IndyBar member for recognition for one of the honors below. Recipients will be showcased at the Association’s annual Recognition Breakfast on November 19, highlighted by the 2025 Class of 50-Year among other impressive awards from our Sections & Divisions.

The nomination form for all awards below is online at www.indybar.org/awards and shouldn’t take more than five minutes to complete. Nominations are open until 11:59 p.m. September 19, 2025.

Commitment to Mentorship Award

The Commitment to Mentorship Award recognizes an individual who has achieved excellence in their own career, demonstrates a commitment to the advancement of young lawyers and/or law students, serves as a mentor to lawyers and or law students, creates opportunities for them to excel personally and professionally, and who encourages meaningful involvement in the community. Nominees must be a member of IndyBar and have practiced law for at least 10 years. The recipient will be chosen by a selection committee appointed by the IndyBar President.

Dr. John Morton Finney, Jr. Award for Excellence in Legal Education

Established in 1998, this award honors the memory of Dr. Finney who, during his lifetime of 100+ years demonstrated the value of education and a love of the law. The successful candidate for this award will have made significant and unique contributions to further legal education within our community. Those active in legal education projects, public education or working within Indiana’s law schools shall be considered. The recipient will be chosen by a selection committee appointed by the IndyBar President.

Professionalism Award 

This annual award is to recognize exceptional, meritorious achievement by an attorney widely accepted by his or her peers as having consistently modeled the spirit of the Rules of Professional Conduct. The winner will also be viewed by other attorneys as epitomizing the ideals of the legal profession. The recipient is selected by the Masters Division of the Indianapolis Bar Association.

Silver Gavel Award 

This annual award is to recognize exceptional, meritorious achievement by a judicial officer widely accepted by his or her peers as having consistently modeled the spirit of the Rules of Professional Conduct. The winner will also be viewed by the legal community as epitomizing the ideals of the Bench. The recipient is selected by the Masters Divsion of the Indianapolis Bar Association.

Unsung Hero Award

The Unsung Hero Award is given to a lawyer who goes above and beyond the call of duty and exhibits the highest level of commitment to others without the expectation of praise or recognition. The recipient is selected by the Masters Division of the Indianapolis Bar Association.•