IndyBar: Why I Will Give on IndyBar’s Day of Giving on Sept. 30

By Raegan Gibson

As IndyBar’s Day of Giving approaches this year, I urge you to ask yourself one question – what has IndyBar given me? As a leader in IndyBar (and past president of its charitable arm, the IndyBar Foundation), I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on the impact it has made on my life. I can confidently say that I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for IndyBar. Embracing the organization has given me:

• A Community – When I came to Indy for law school, I didn’t know anyone. When I graduated, I only knew my law school classmates and the lawyers at my firm. The legal community was a big and scary place for me. I remember going to networking events and having anxiety attacks just walking through the door. IndyBar changed all of that for me. I started by volunteering for a committee, then leading committees, and now I am blessed to help lead the organization. My involvement has allowed me to meet so many incredible lawyers and judges and forge lifelong friendships. I am thrilled to say that I no longer dread going to networking events. Instead, I look forward to them, because they are full of the people that I know and love.

• A Referral Network – I didn’t grow up in Indy or go to college in Indiana, so building a book of business was a challenge. For the first nine years of my career, I worked in a large law firm with some amazing lawyers who mentored me, trained me, and helped sharpen my legal skills. But, I was so busy learning the practice of law, I hadn’t put much thought or effort into getting my own clients. After I had a couple babies and moved to a smaller firm for more balance, I decided it was time to focus on my book. I had no idea where to start. I had more questions than answers. Yet again, IndyBar saved the day. As it turns out, the community that I worked to build the first nine years of my career, became an incredibly loyal, reliable, and supportive referral base. I went from having a handful of clients, to have robust book of business full of clients I am honored to represent and cases that I never dreamed I would get to handle.

• A Support System – Life is full of highs and lows. I have had plenty of cause to celebrate and mourn throughout my legal career. During these times, a few things have remained constant – my faith in God, the love of my family, and the herculean support of my friends in IndyBar. The most recent example of this came in May when I made the decision to start my own law firm – The Gibson Legal Group. It was a very big step and I knew I had a learning curve on the business side, so I reached out for help. When I tell you I was met with a literal tidal wave of support, it is not an exaggeration. IndyBar lawyers, law firm owners, and staff went out of their way to help complete the tasks and make the connections I needed to get up and running. I went from zero to a fully functioning law firm in ten days. Ten days. That is the power of IndyBar.

In sum, IndyBar is a game changer. Not just for me, but for all of those who fully embrace it. And the IndyBar Foundation is integral to IndyBar’s ability to continue nurturing, connecting, and growing the Indy legal community. The organization provides grants that support members’ access to technology, funds scholarships for education opportunities like the annual Bench Bar Conference, and hosts a variety of committees where lawyers and judges can network and continually strengthen their legal skills. When its Day of Giving arrives on September 30, 2025, I will give willingly and generously because of everything IndyBar has given me. I encourage everyone to do the same. You can learn more about our annual Day of Giving at www.indybarfoundation.org.•

Raegan M. Gibson, The Gibson Legal Group, focuses her practice on real estate and business litigation, representing clients throughout Indiana. Her practice involves counseling, transactional, and litigation work and encompasses a wealth of legal matters including contract disputes; shareholder/member/owner disputes; trade secret, non-compete, and non-solicit disputes; employment contract disputes; and more. Gibson recently opened her own firm, the Gibson Legal Group. She received her Bachelor’s of Arts and her Masters Degree from Western Kentucky University, and her J.D. from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Gibson is a past president of the IndyBar Foundation and is currently the Vice President of Membership for IndyBar. She is also President of Sagamore Inn of Court.