The Marion Superior Courts announced several changes today. Noting they are required by administrative rule to review caseloads on a regular basis and make changes to handle case work in all courts, the judges approved decisions impacting courts in all three current court divisions: civil, criminal, and family. 

 Court D07– Civil Division (current)  

• All new case civil case type filings into D07 have been stopped.  
• Court D07 will transition to be a new court in the Criminal Division Major Felony section joining courts D20, D21, D27, D28, D29, D30, D31 and D32. 
• Work has begun on distributing the pending civil cases in D07 to the Civil Division courts (C01, D01, D02, D03, D04, D05, D06, D11, D12, D13). This will be completed by April 8, 2023. 
• On/by April 8, 2023, Court D07 will begin receiving major felony court related new case filings.  

Court D24– Criminal Division Level 6 Felony Section (current) 

• All new criminal case type filings into Court D24 have been stopped. 
• Court D24 from April 1, 2023 will no longer function as a criminal division court. 
• All Pending cases in D24 will be transferred into court D17 (Hon. Klineman) and will be handled by D17 judge and staff. This includes existing Probation and Community Corrections cases. Expungement cases from D24 will be handled by D17 as well. 
• D24 will begin operations as a new Family Division court later this year, with the timing to be announced at a later date. D24 would then join the existing Family Division courts D09, D10, D14, D15, and D16. 

Court D22 – Criminal Division Level 6 Felony section Traffic Court (current) 

• All new case filings into Court D22 will be stopped from May 31, 2023. 
• Pending cases and future procedures for traffic related cases will be communicated to all judiciary related agencies by May 1, 2023. 
• D22 will begin operations as a new Family Division court later this year, with the timing to be announced at a later date. D22 would at that time join the existing Family Division courts D09, D10, D14, D15, D16, and D24. 

OV Case Dockets Processing 

The court intends to move the OV case docket (not traffic related) from Civil Court D04 (Hon. Ayers) to Civil Court D07 (Hon. Dietrick). With the above court room changes being undertaken, the court’s notice indicated this change will likely be completed by mid-May 2023. 

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

Melissa A. Breeden has been promoted to Vice President, Senior Legal Director at Realty Income Corporation.  In her new role, Melissa leads a team of attorneys and paralegals in supporting the company's leasing and property management needs.

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

Nicole Makris McAtee has joined the firm of Connell Michael Kerr, LLP.  Nicole is a family law practitioner and is a member of the Indianapolis Bar Foundation Board of Directors.

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, LLP has announced the return of Mindy Westrick Brown. Mindy has rejoined the firm as counsel in the firm's government and regulatory practice group. Mindy is a member of the Indianapolis Bar Association's Board of Directors, Public Advocacy Committee (former Chair), and is vice chair of the Marion County Republican Party.

IndyBar’s Bar Leader Series Class XX applications are now being taken until February 28. Designed for IndyBar member attorneys in their third to tenth year of practice, the series prepares talented and diverse early-career lawyers to take their places as both leaders in the legal profession and leaders in addressing needs of the community.  Structured by Robert H. McKinney School of Law faculty member and former Indiana Supreme Court Justice Frank Sullivan and led by the Honorable Jane Magnus-Stinson and Magistrate Judge Mario Garcia of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, the series will feature an impressive array of community leaders bringing their uniquely informed perspective to the class.

Half-days sessions are held every other month from August until April with an overnight kickoff at the 2023 Bench Bar Conference in mid-June. The graduation for Class XX will be in June 2024.  Class members will also develop and execute a team service project with the support of former Bar Leader Series participants adding to their skills and network building.  Visit www.indybar.org/barleader to learn more.

The IndyBar Foundation is now accepting applications for the Community Empowerment Grant. This $35,000 award will be granted to an Indianapolis-based organization engaging in law-related outreach.  Non-profit organizations and government entities are eligible for this grant, and the funds must be used to support a program that reinforces the IndyBar Foundation’s mission and presents opportunities for members of the central Indiana legal community to participate on a pro bono or modest means basis.'

The Community Empowerment Grant began in 2011 as a vehicle to maximize the financial generosity of Foundation's donors and to provide members of the Indianapolis Bar Association with compelling opportunities to donate their time through pro bono service. Formerly known as the Impact Fund Grant and renamed the Community Empowerment Grant in 2020, this grant is an important tool in the foundation’s efforts to fulfill its mission: to advance justice and lead positive change in Indianapolis through philanthropy, education and service. See a list of previous recipients here.

Apply for the grant here. Applications are due by March 3, 2023.

Today the Marion County Judicial Selection Committee announced two panels of three nominees to fill two judicial vacancies. The Committee selected the following finalists for the vacancies created by the retirement of Judge Sheila A. Carlisle and Judge Steven R. Eichholtz:

For the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Sheila A. Carlisle:

• Stephen R. Creason (IndyBar Member)
• Magistrate David M. Hooper (IndyBar Member)
• Magistrate Jason G. Reyome (IndyBar Member)

For the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Steven R. Eichholtz:

• Magistrate Marie L. Kern (IndyBar Member)
• Charles F. Miller
• Magistrate James K. Snyder (IndyBar Member)

On January 30-31, the Committee interviewed 25 candidates. After deliberating in an executive session, the Committee publicly voted to send the two panels of three finalists to the Governor. According to Indiana law, the Committee is required to submit to the Governor “the three most highly qualified candidates” for appointment when a vacancy arises. Upon receiving the list, Governor Holcomb has 60 days in which to make appointments to the Marion County courts.

Due to inclement weather, Marion Circuit Court Judge Amber Collins has announced closure (not delay only) of the Marion Circuit and Superior Courts for January 25, 2023.  The Courts plan to resume normal operations on January 26.

Garner to Lead Marion Superior Courts

The Hon. Charnette Garner was recently elected by her peers to lead the Marion Superior Court as Presiding Judge. In addition to her duties as Presiding Judge, Judge Garner presides in Marion Superior Court 35, Criminal Division.  She is also President-elect of the Marion County Bar Association, a member of the Indianapolis Bar Association Board of Directors, and co-chair of the 2023 Bench Bar Conference.

A four-member executive committee oversees the Marion Superior Courts. Also elected to serve Marion County as a member of the new Executive Committee:

• The Hon. Shatrese Flowers, Associate Presiding Judge
• The Hon. Cynthia Oetjen, Associate Presiding Judge
• The Hon. Marc Rothenberg, Associate Presiding Judge

The term of the Executive Committee will end in January 2025.