The Indianapolis legal community is fortunate to be home to thousands of individuals who work their hardest each day for the benefit of their profession, their community and their families. Join us on November 3 at Meridian Hills Country Club as we honor just a handful of the many lawyers, judges, students and more who’ve made their mark in 2021.
In addition to honoring recipients, the Recognition Breakfast is the perfect collegial environment to catch up with friends, meet fellow lawyers and bar staff and talk to bar leadership about opportunities for involvement in the coming year.
Take a look at the list of this year’s recipients below and register online for the event at indybar.org/recognition.
Board of Director’s Award: IndyBar Women and the Law Division Executive Committee
The IndyBar Women and the Law Division has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 Indianapolis Bar Association Board of Directors Award for their work in providing innovative and informative programs and services to the members of our Indianapolis legal community. The mindfulness programs, book club, mentor circles, Antoinette Dakin Leach program, diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, along with CLE programming demonstrate the creative and responsive minds within the division’s leadership. The Board of Directors is especially grateful for the work the committee has done this year.
President’s Award for Service to the Association: 2021 Bench Bar Conference Chairs: Hon. John Chavis, Marion Superior Court; Mag. Marie Kern, Marion Superior Court; and Bryan Strawbridge, Frost Brown Todd LLC
This year's recipients provided the members of the association with a conference with the safety of our members being the top priority. This year's Bench Bar Conference boasted record-breaking attendance numbers and featured ground-breaking programming on a variety of topics including the IndyBar's first Juneteenth program.
President’s Award for Service to the Profession: Hon. Frank Sullivan Jr., Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
We're proud to recognize Justice Sullivan for his outstanding work as moderator of the 2021 Bar Leader Series. His approach to every aspect of the program was energetically innovative. Members of Class 18 consistently note that they have been deeply impacted by the information that they have received through participation in the program.
Dr. John Morton Finney, Jr. Award for Excellence in Legal Education: David Morris, Marion County Prosecutors Office
David has served as an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University McKinney School of Law for more than 20 years teaching family law courses. During his time at the Marion County Prosecutor's Office, he has taught his colleagues child support law and how to be a professional and willingly assists colleagues across the state whenever the need arises. David enriches our legal community with his extraordinary teachings!
Silver Gavel Award: Hon. Patrick J. Dietrick, Marion Superior Court
The Silver Gavel Award is given to a judicial officer whose career exemplifies the high calling and higher achievement through the legal profession in modern society. Judge Dietrick is an incredibly well-versed judge who is willing to work with both sides to resolve disputes. Judge Dietrick has begun mediating tough cases for free in the interest of judicial economy, and attorneys of the Bar appreciate his commitment to fair resolution of matters.
Professionalism Award: Katherine Franke, Christie Farrell Lee & Bell PC
The Professionalism Award is given to a lawyer whose career exemplifies the high calling and higher achievement of lawyers in modern society. Kate has exhibited exceptional character and commitment to the professional development of the bar and has assisted many colleagues in developing their own practices. She leads by example and is never afraid to share her wealth of knowledge with other lawyers.
Unsung Hero Award: Richard Norris, Norris Choplin Schroeder LLP
The Unsung Hero Award is given to a lawyer who goes above and beyond the call of duty and exhibits the highest level of commitment to others without the expectation of praise or recognition. Rick Norris has been selflessly practicing law for 50 years and is involved in many charitable organizations outside of the practice, including the Walker Foundation, which provides college scholarships to deserving students.
Young Lawyer of the Year: Andrew Lehmann, Schuckit & Associates PC
Andy has worked tirelessly this year as the chair of the IndyBar Young Lawyers Division. He has stepped up to help, at times even doing much of the planning himself. He has strived to maintain a diverse executive committee and phost diverse programming, all of this while still holding a full-time job as an attorney.
Pro Bono Award, Attorney: Jeffrey Macey, Macey Swanson Hicks & Sauer LLP
As pro bono co-counsel with Indiana Legal Services attorney Jennifer Terry, Jeff was instrumental in securing a preliminary injunction against the state of Indiana to avoid early termination of federal Unemployment Benefits for workers displaced through no fault of their own during the pandemic. He contributed countless hours of his valuable time in ways that proved decisive in providing protections to some of our most vulnerable workers in Indiana.
Pro Bono Award, Law Firm: Katz Korin Cunningham
The law firm of Katz Korin Cunningham logged more than 250 pro bono hours providing direct assistance to the public via IndyBar’s Virtual Help Desk), Legal Line and Free Wills Clinics. Members of the firm also served as collaborators and editors for the 2021 edition of Commonly Asked Questions on Indiana Law, which is a resource manual published annually by the IndyBar and used by volunteers at pro bono and public outreach offerings to provide answers in subject areas that aren’t common practice for volunteers.
Pro Bono Award, Law Student: Alexis Martinez, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
Last school year as a 1L, Alexis Martinez volunteered to serve as a site coordinator during the IndyBar Ask a Lawyer program – that was only two months into her law school course work. She also serves on the IndyBar Pro Bono Standing Committee and has helped raise awareness among her classmates of the many IndyBar offerings that law students can take advantage of.
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