Jill Haddad, Office of the Indiana Attorney General
Provide a brief career background leading up to your Office of the Indiana Attorney General Position.
I embarked on my legal career at the Marion Superior Courts twenty-three years ago. I had the privilege of working for two outstanding judges and observing some of the finest trial lawyers in the state. The highlight was serving as a bailiff in a sequestered capital case tried by Scott Newman and Jack Crawford, which motivated me to pursue law school. After graduating, my first job was as a Marion County Prosecutor in the Domestic Violence Unit. I then worked at the Office of Corporation Counsel as a City Prosecutor. Following that, I served as a Deputy Prosecutor in Shelby County. I later joined the Office of the Indiana Attorney General and spent five years as a litigator in the Administrative Regulatory Enforcement Litigation section. Recently, I transitioned to a position in the Advisory Division in the Attorney General’s Office.
What has been the most rewarding experience of your career?
After I started working at the Attorney General’s Office, I received a LinkedIn request and message from an individual who was a victim in a domestic violence case that I handled early in my career. She told me that she had managed to leave her abusive situation after her case and that I had inspired her to return to college and then attend law school. I became a lawyer to help people, so this information was very impactful and significant to me. Now I get to follow her career on LinkedIn, and I am proud every time I see her post something.
Do you have any recommendations for young lawyers to build their confidence?
I have stumbled and fallen in front of a jury. But after it happened and I got over it, nothing could shake me. (Please don't try this!) All joking aside, preparation is key. You may face someone with decades of experience, but you can always out-prepare them, and the confidence that you get from your in-depth knowledge of all the information will show.
What do you do to maintain work-life balance?
I've had to establish boundaries in my life. Recognizing our limits and being comfortable with declining promotions or job offers is important. This can be a tough decision for many attorneys, as most are focused on achievement and always striving for the next level. Understanding that other aspects of life may take priority at times is important because life can be challenging. I recently watched a great CLE that is free for IndyBar Members called “Work-Life Balance and Wellness for Lawyers.” I highly recommend it to anyone navigating these issues in their life.
As a working mother, What advice would you offer other working moms?
Some of the best advice comes from memes. Two that stand out to me are: “Take the job with the best schedule for your kid” and “You aren’t replaceable at home, but you are replaceable at work.” I think every mother wants to be the best mother she can be to her child, and their childhood is so fleeting, so don’t miss it. But you can also love your job. I also think being a working mother is the best situation for me. I get a lot out of my work, making me a better person and mother.
What is one word that describes your personality and why?
This is a difficult question. I believe I have an honest personality. Sometimes, I worry that people might misinterpret me because I tend to be straightforward. I prefer not to waste time skirting around topics; I'd rather address an issue head-on, find a solution, and move forward.
Tell us a random, interesting fact about yourself!
In recent years, I've become obsessed with Christmas decorations. I now decorate three full-size trees, and last year, I added a Grinch Tree to the mix. I start all this on November 1st, and I don’t care what people say about it being too early. Forget pumpkin spice; bring on the peppermint!
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