Thank you, Bruce, for your introduction, kind words, and professional and personal mentorship for essentially my entire life! Bruce is the one that convinced me to move back here many years ago. So, you all can air your grievances with him for that at the end of the breakfast.
When I started putting my thoughts together for this morning I began by jotting down who I needed to remember to thank and recognize. But, that process became a lengthy one. To me, that sort of embodies IndyBar and Bar Foundation experience. I have such immense gratitude to the people associated with the Bar and Bar Foundation. But that is how those in leadership in the Bar Association and Foundation do feel about the others in the organization. And the importance of that is that it fuels the energy and motivation that is required to advance our initiatives of justice and positive change in Indianapolis through philanthropy, education, and service—which we do through fundraising activities, grants, scholarships, CLE, pro bono legal services and more. People in this organization do this hard work not only because they know how crucial the Bar Foundation’s role in our legal community is, but also because they want to support their colleagues in whatever their IndyBar Foundation goal or endeavor may be at the moment.
They don’t want to let that person, a committee, or the board down. That is what happens when you surround yourself with fantastic people who care….and are smart. That’s all of you.
Now, before you all get too big for your britches, the work we do for the IndyBar Foundation is incredibly commendable. But we’re not heroes—this is what we should be doing. We should take time out of our practices to support the foundation and legal community that allows us to thrive in our own practice. We should contribute our talents and treasures to the very foundation that assists those who can’t afford a lawyer. We should do what we can to support a foundation that advances education to lawyers and non-lawyers and promotes inclusion and accountability.
And we should take a step back from our practices here and there to have FUN, meet colleagues you never would otherwise may have never met in your practice, and develop your network. The greatest part about all of this is that being a part of the Bar Foundation truly provides for a mutually beneficial experience—your time, talents, and treasures allow you take solace in knowing you’re doing something positive for the community, and it is the rock upon which the foundation sits. It also provides you with a continuing, never-ending opportunity to meet new colleagues, make lifelong friends, and immerse yourself in a community of selfless, motivated individuals.
What the foundation also does is it forces many of us litigators to interact with adversaries in a totally new space. We live in such a divisive, polarized world right now. Thoughtful discussion is not promoted.
Nuance is not appreciated. And our opinions are more immovable than ever. The Foundation is a breath of fresh air in that it gives all of us the opportunity to spend time with adversaries—or those that may become adversaries on a case--in a setting where you need to be working with them towards a common goal. That adds value to your practice, and that adds value to our legal community and those it serves.
Over the last several years, the IndyBar Foundation has consistently been able to do some incredible fundraising, as Bri mentioned before me. That’s amazing, and it is such a testament to you all and to the past presidents I so admire in Bri Clark, Travis Jensen, Elisabeth Edwards, Lee Christie, Raegan Gibson, Adam Christensen, and so many more. Now, these are also the same people who also helped decide that it would be a good idea for me to be your president… so, be a little weary. They truly have set the standard. However, we only exceed the amazing standard that has been set through all of your help. So, when you see an email come through asking for volunteers, please don’t just mark it as “read” and move on--please try to help if you can. When you’re tired of calling or sending emails to prospective sponsors for an event, please just take 5 more minutes to make a few extra calls. These are the types of efforts that we need this year in 2026 to make it what I wholeheartedly know will be successful year.
I do need to thank and recognize some people here, as I mentioned earlier. Thanks to Judge Pryor for taking the time to be here to support Katie, me, the Association and Foundation, and to administer our oaths. We so appreciate you. To the past presidents I mentioned, and those I have failed to mention, thank you for everything you have done to lead the way for me and those who will come after me. I did ask the past presidents how to not screw this whole thing up and they told me, “Lucky for you, we have the best staff in the world…so it’s really hard to screw up!”
On that note, I want to thank Julie, Deneen, Kari, Bryssa, and all of the IndyBar staff. When one of us gets up here to talk I know that we always thank and acknowledge you. Yet, it still is not enough. We are truly so lucky and grateful to you. You are the best staff we could ever ask for, and you make this so easy for us.
I also want to congratulate Katie (Jackson-Lindsay). I have so enjoyed getting to know
you over the last couple years. You are such an amazing person both personally and professionally, and I’m thrilled to be working with you this year.
I have to recognize some people with me here today. My mom and dad are here. I want to thank them for everything they’ve done for me, including the foundation they have provided me with: a love of people and helping people through my mom (who is a therapist), and a love of doing that through my dad, who does it in a way that is unparalleled in combining advocacy with unwavering collegiality. I would also like to thank my sister Kate, who is here. Kate is a nurse practitioner, and she has always been my biggest cheerleader.
Thanks to the other attorneys at our firm for being here as well, Jon, Kayla, and Emily. And I appreciate you picking up my slack in 2026 as I’m doing Foundation-related things!
Two of my paralegals are here, Maria and Megan. I would be a lost puppy every single day without them, and I so appreciate everything they do for me to keep me in line. Our wonderful law clerks are also here today, and I thank them for coming.
Thanks to our sponsors! None of the fundraising is possible without you.
Congratulations to those being installed today.
Lastly, I have to thank my wife, Ashley, and my son, Jack, who are here today. Our other son is two and we decided to leave him at home today. Jack told me that I needed to say, “Thank you to my great wife, Ashley." He said everyone would laugh really hard….. so, “thank you to my great wife, Ashley.” You are truly such an amazing person, lawyer, wife, and mother, and I am not able to do any of this without your support. And, Jack, I’m sure you’ll tell me what I did wrong during this speech later today.
Let’s go have a killer year. Thank you.
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