Admitted to practice in 2001, Liberty (Libby) Roberts’ career has focused on litigation. She currently is a Partner at Church, Church, Hittle & Antrim, focusing on representing public entities. Libby represents cities, towns, counties, and schools in litigation, and has done so in nearly all 92 Indiana counties. She has extensive experience in defending claims related to employment and law enforcement actions in both federal and state courts, as well as administrative proceedings. This has included cases involving Title IX sexual misconduct and bullying, Section 1983 equal protection and due process claims, search, seizure and use of force by law enforcement, First Amendment claims, and personal injury and wrongful death. An active member of Indy Bar, she belongs to the Municipal Law section. In addition to many other recognitions and awards, she was part of the Indianapolis Bar Leader Series, Class VI. She is an avid runner, having completed full marathons in all 50 states. She also enjoys reading, and often will have an audible book going while she completes her run.
Have you always been a runner?
No, I didn't run until after law school. Ironically, I threw shot put and discus on the middle school track team, but did not join the track team in high school because I would have been required to run at least one event.
Why do you choose to run marathons?
Pure craziness is the only real answer to that question.
Out of the marathon courses you have run, what was your favorite?
Two tie for first place: New York City and Big Sur. Both were unique courses in very different ways. I can still feel the atmosphere of those courses when I think of them.
Is there still a bucket list you want to do?
Yes. I still have not run Boston. I feel like I can't retire from running without crossing that finish line.
In addition to marathons, you have traveled quite a bit as well. What is one of your favorite places you have visited?
Hands down - the village of Oia on Santorini, Greece. It was beautiful and left me with a sense of peace.
What was the last book you read/listened to?
Broken (in the best possible way) by Jenny Lawson. Her writing makes me laugh out loud.
In your years of practice, you have been on your own, with a smaller group and now part of a firm. What advice would you share for newer lawyers trying to decide what path is right for them?
There is no one-single “right “ path. My advice is to listen to your heart. You’ll know what feels right. You should love what you do no matter the size of the group/firm. Each move I made in the course of my career just felt right, even if it didn’t seem to make sense to others or on paper.
You have argued in front of the Indiana Court of Appeals, Indiana Supreme Court, and U.S. Supreme Court. What advice do you have for those who may find themselves arguing there in the future?
To be fair, I’ve only briefed a case in the U.S. Supreme Court, we did not argue that case. But for the others: Use the IndyBar’s Appellate Practice Section to do a moot argument. It was the best preparation for a hot bench. The panel looks at the case differently than you or others who have worked on the case. The panel looks at it more like the Court, and it asks tough questions.
You eat a cookie a day - what is your favorite?
My go to is a chocolate chip cookie because it is easy to come by on a daily basis. But when Just Cookies was open in the City Market they had a rotating list of my favorites: mint chocolate chip, toffee, oatmeal scotchies, butterscotch, etc.
member center
