Meet our newest member spotlight, Tara Lutes!

Interested in participating in becoming a member of the fundraising-focused 2026 IndyBar Foundation Board of Directors? Nominations for at-large board members are open to any IndyBar member.

Board service will begin on Jan. 1, 2026. All board members are expected to attend an overnight orientation retreat in French Lick, IN Thursday, November 6 (beginning as early as 1 p.m.) thru Friday, November 7 (ending no later than 2:00 p.m.). Costs for the retreat are covered by the foundation.

To be considered for a position on the board of directors you must be a member of the Indianapolis legal community and in good standing with Indiana Supreme Court. Though the available slots are limited, the foundation welcomes all submissions and will work to find a place for all parties to serve in the 2026 year.

Interested in being a part of something for the good of the profession; something that works to expand access to justice in the Indianapolis community?

Please submit your nominations at www.indybarfoundation.org/board by midnight September 15, 2025. Questions? Reach out to Julie Armstrong at jarmstrong@indybar.org.

As attorneys, many of us feel we must appear invincible, fully formed, certain, and never admit doubt. Law school often reinforced that instinct: don’t raise your hand unless you know the answer, don’t let them see you sweat, only the top of the class will get the good jobs. But that mindset, while understandable, can hold us back.

Here’s a counterintuitive truth: our growth as lawyers (and, frankly, as humans) accelerates when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable. Vulnerability, when paired with earned confidence, is not weakness. It’s courage. I’m honored to share a few words on why I believe vulnerability is essential for new attorneys and how we can balance it with confidence. 

Read more.

On September 11, 2025, the third annual Bourbon with the Bar networking event will be held at IndyBarHQ. This event will be hosted by the Commercial & Bankruptcy Section, Criminal Justice Section, Solo and Small Firm Division, and the Masters Division. This event will provide an opportunity for all members, including those not in the hosting sections and divisions, to meet attorneys who practice in other areas of law as well as mingle with some of Marion County’s judges.  

Read more!

Meet our latest IndyBar Member Spotlight, Adam Willfond!

Congratulations to these IndyBar members on their accomplishments! Have something to share? Email Becca Lienemann to be featured.

Ian Fuqua has recently joined Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP. Ian Fuqua has extensive experience advising financial institutions on compliance, litigation, and risk management matters. Ian’s case work includes defending financial institutions against claims involving violations of consumer protection statutes, allegations of predatory lending, mortgage and servicing fraud, wrongful foreclosure and eviction, commercial contract disputes, tax sale challenges, and property-related code enforcement. 

Sean Gorman has recently joined Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission as an Administrative Law Judge. Sean is able to utilize his extensive government and regulatory leadership experience. 

Michelle Maslowski has recently joined Littler Mendelson. She specializes in HR and other legal issues impacting small businesses and entrepreneurs. Michelle provides advice on employment and personnel issues, such as employment agreements, severance and separation agreements, employee handbooks, and individual employment policies.

Kaytie Ravega has joined Boesen & Snow Law in Indianapolis as a Partner. Over the past almost 20 years, Kaytie’s practice has focused on pharmacy law, most recently on investments and transactions in the space, and matters targeting peptides, wellness and longevity care, GPOs, telehealth’s intersection with pharmacy, and specialty pharmacy. She supports healthcare providers and related businesses through compliant business model design and implementation aligned with the applicable healthcare regulations, corporate practice of medicine, data privacy, and anti-kickback laws. 

Kelly Shaw is now practicing at Clark Quinn Moses Scott & Grahn LLP as an associate attorney. Kelly has over a decade of experiences including extensive litigation practice, government sector work, and transactional real estate work.

Libby Whitaker has joined Lewis Wagner & Trimble LLP as an associate in the probate litigation group. Libby provides counsel on a range of probate matters including trusts and will contests and guardianships.

The IndyBar President’s Update is a regular feature where we share what’s been happening behind the scenes, celebrate wins, and give you a sense of where we’re headed. It’s a way to keep everyone in the loop, reflect on what we’ve accomplished together, and look ahead to what’s next.

• Just a reminder, the association’s nominating committee is requesting applications of interest for the 2026 Board of Directors. Donnie Morgan of Taft is chairing the committee. Vacancies to be filled include five (5) Directors, Treasurer, and 1st Vice President (2028 President). The short form can be found at www.indybar.org/nominate and applications are being accepted through August 15. Believe me the time commitment is very manageable and the networking and visibility you gain for your practice is immeasurable.
• The Rule of Law Committee is celebrating Constitution Day with a Rule of Law Essay Contest for any high school-aged students in Marion, Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Morgan, and Shelby counties. Entries are due September 1, 2025, and the top three winners will receive a cash prize and commemorative plaque. Please consider sharing this opportunity with students, parents, and educators in your network. More information is available here.
• We’re hosting a Walk & Talk on September 9 to learn more about Indy’s historic roots. Join us. Learn more here.
• The Indianapolis Bar Foundation Annual Day of Giving is coming up on September 30. This is our opportunity to take a few dollars and turn them into big benefits for our community. Keep your eyes open for how you can be part of lasting impact.
• Know a business you’d like to promote to the IndyBar membership? We’d love to highlight them during Member Appreciation Month in September. Reach out to Bryssa Helton at bhelton@indybar.org to learn more.

Recent chatter on a ListServ about the “Free Ask” program for ethical questions gave me an excellent analogy for JLAP: it is the “Free Ask” program for any lawyer facing any kind of difficulty. As a longtime JLAP volunteer, I know very well that JLAP is not linked to the Disciplinary Commission in any way. Yet the myth persists and keeps lawyers from seeking out free, confidential help.

Read more.

This is a joint column co-written monthly by the Chairs of the Masters Division and Young Lawyers Division to compare, contrast, and relate practicing law 25+ years ago to practicing law today. Each column will examine a new general subject. Today, Monica and Scott discuss challenges for newer lawyers addressing sensitive questions with senior lawyers.

In collaboration with the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, the Indianapolis Bar Association is recruiting attorneys to volunteer their time (in-person or via Zoom) for the benefit of law students participating in mock interviews. IndyBar has committed to providing 150 volunteers for the program and is currently just 50 attorneys short of that promise. You can help by committing your time to preparing the future generation of Hoosier lawyers.

Read more! Ready to volunteer, visit www.indybar.org/mockinterview.