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John Maley, incoming president of the Indiana State Bar Association, says he’s looking forward to continuing to advocate for the organization and his profession.
A native of Richmond, he understands the need for attorneys in small communities and is passionate about how the association can work to support recruiting well-rounded attorneys to these underserved areas.
A self-proclaimed “bar junkie,” Maley advocates for the work both local and state bar associations do in service of their communities and emphasizes how licensed attorneys benefit from being members.
His word of advice for attorneys? Get involved in at least one bar association in your area. In an age of advancing technology, he said, connections are more important than we may realize.
Tell me about how you got your start in law and what interested you about it?
My father was a trial lawyer and general practitioner in a four-person firm in Richmond, Indiana. From an early age I was very interested in what he did, spent time at his office often after school or when he would go on a weekend, and ultimately went to court with him on occasion.
I knew from an early age that I wanted to be like him and be a trial lawyer.
Why did you want to be president of the bar association?
I have been a bar junkie all my career, active in many bar associations including serving as president of IndyBar in 2002.
I like lawyers and judges and enjoy the collaboration for a common mission. Over the years I’ve had various service-leadership roles in the Indiana State Bar Association (such as chair of the appellate practice section).
As a small-town native, I like the interaction statewide among lawyers and judges across Indiana. So, when asked to consider service as president, I saw it as a natural opportunity for another level of service to this great profession.
How did you find out you were going to be president?
I was contacted by then-Past-President Clayton Miller to ascertain my interest. After discerning regarding the unique opportunity to serve, I conferred again with Clayton to express my interest. Several weeks later I was informed that the nominating committee was nominating me, which then became official by [a] later board vote.
What goals do you have for your term?
Serve and advocate. The vision of the ISBA is to “serve and advocate on behalf of its members . . . and the public interest as the independent voice of the legal profession.”
I have been asked by many: “What do you hope to do this year for the association?” Thanks to those who have come before me and led this association so skillfully, the answer is easy: serve and advocate.
Otherwise, I have experience with and passion for membership retention and growth, and pro bono. So, I’ll try to be extra supportive and engaged on those fronts.
Have you sought advice from past ISBA presidents?
Yes – [the] consistent theme is “enjoy the year, it flies by!”
How has your experience in the legal field prepared you for this role?
Through 37 years, I’ve worked with thousands of Indiana lawyers from solo and small firms, medium and large firms, in-house, governmental, as well as trial and appellate judges in the state and federal courts.
I also practice nationally, so [I] have experienced other legal cultures and judicial systems. These diverse experiences collaborating with, serving, and leading others hopefully provide a solid foundation for this unique servant leader role.
What values do you hope to bring to the role?
Commitment, service, creativity, and integrity.
Of the recommendations from the Legal Future Commission, is there anything ISBA supports or opposes?
The ISBA is very supportive of the recommendations and actively engaged, for instance, in work to help small towns and rural areas recruit and retain lawyers.
Personally, I’m also very interested and supportive of the commission’s recommendations for an alternative Indiana-focused bar exam for those committing to serve in underserved areas.•
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