What does the Well-Being Committee do?

Our group offers a wide range of support to legal professionals living and working in the Indianapolis community. Over the years, we've helped more than one hundred lawyers, judges, and paralegals experiencing professional or personal crises. We have a dedicated team of volunteers ready to assist with meals, yardwork, or whatever else our colleagues might need.

Recently, the Well-Being Committee expanded its efforts to include what I call "proactive support" for our members. We're sharing proven, simple ways to improve physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Our legal profession is demanding, and unfortunately, many colleagues struggle with anxiety, depression, loneliness, and substance abuse challenges. Our goal is to address these issues early on, and create a safe, judgment-free space for discussion.

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

Lewis Wagner & Trimble LLP has recently rebranded. This change honors Partner John C. Trimble for his decades of leadership, legal excellence, and deep contributions to the profession. Congratulations on this historic change.

Thaddeus Ailes has joined Harrison & Moberly as a real estate lawyer. Thaddeus often provides services to landlords, tenants, developers, investors, lenders, owner-occupants, and brokers.

Michael A. Moffatt has joined Jackson Lewis PC. Michael focuses on labor and employment law by defending employers against a wide range of employment-related claims. 

Erika Steuerwald has joined CarDon & Associates Inc. where she will expand her health care practice. Erika will continue her work serving the long-term care and senior living community.

Meet our next IndyBar member spotlight Sonya Seeder, General Counsel to Guidon Design

Close your eyes. Envision yourself when you stood, hand raised, and were sworn into the most noble of professions. You probably recall what you were wearing, those who came to support you, how you would celebrate, and the excitement for the career ahead. Your first business card. Your first case. Your first victory and first loss. But somewhere between the I do and now, chances are that you do not remember the words you spoke that day. You’re not alone.

The phrase The Rule of Law is everywhere these days. It is spoken, written, misunderstood by the masses, and repeated without digesting the true import of those four simple words. But as lawyers and judges, we understand that those four simple words carry great significance. The Indianapolis Bar Association is committed to engaging with our legal community and the public by educating and informing on the foundational principles of our profession, our society, and our great Nation through the Rule of Law Initiative. 
 

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 we discuss, Business Development Success Isn't Magic.

IndyBar has learned of the passing of Hon. Cynthia J. Ayers on Saturday who served as the Indianapolis Bar Association's first African American President in 2006. Cynthia touted an impressive career, recently retiring from the Marion Superior Court after 32 years. She was the 2024 recipient of the Antionette Dakin Leach Award, an award reserved only for trailblazing Hoosier females in the legal community. She was also a Distinguished Fellow of the Indianapolis Bar Foundation. Cynthia will be dearly missed. Any known information regarding Judge Ayers' passing can be found here.

Meet our newest IndyBar Member Spotlight, Danielle Gregory!

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. 

• IndyBar is joining several other Indiana bar associations and organizations in hosting an Inaugural Law Day Rally at the federal courthouse plaza on Thursday, May 1 at 12 p.m. The celebration will feature the Hon. Sarah Evans Barker readministering the Oath of Attorneys with remarks from Indiana Supreme Court Justice Christopher Goff on behalf of the Court, along with ISBA President Mike Jasaitis and myself. Please plan to join us in reaffirming and celebrating our commitment to the rule of law.
• Nearly 100 legal professionals from around the country will be here April 22-23 to attend our Racing Attorney’s Conference. Congratulations to IndyBar members Jason Bonikowske, Kyle Fairchild, Jackie Flint, Patricia Kinney, Jimmie McMillian, and Wesley Zirkle for your excellent work in organizing the conference.
• Lunch with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is SOLD OUT. Nearly 1,000 bar members and guests have made this the largest gathering in IndyBar history.
• Our law student engagement volunteers are recruiting 150 lawyers to provide a law student with a mock interview this fall. The timing is very flexible just needing to be completed between late August and November. See www.indybar.org/mockinterview to learn more. Note: interviews may be done in person (preferred) or by Zoom.

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

Trent Bennett has joined Cassiday Schade LLP as an associate. Trent focuses his practice on a wide range of civil litigation defense and has extensive experience handling complex discovery issues.

Katrinia Hopkins has joined Paganelli Law Group. She focuses her practice on family law, providing comprehensive legal counsel on divorce, paternity, child support, parenting time, custody modifications, and adoptions.

Claire Kaup has joined Faegre Drinker LLP as an associate attorney.

Kristin Hoffman has joined Gresk & Singleton PC. She covers immigration and employment as well as language access for noncitizens in the United States. She represents migrant and seasonal farm workers, helping many pursue visas as victims of fraud and forced labor.

IndyBar recently learned of the passing of Philip "Skip" Kappes, 99, founding partner of Lewis Kappes PC and the 1970 President of the Indianapolis Bar Association. The oldest living past president of IndyBar, Skip was an icon within our bar association and legal community. A past recipient of IndyBar's highest honor, the Luminary Award, Skip was also both a Distinguished Fellow and a Distinguished Life Fellow of the Indianapolis Bar Foundation. In 2019, Skip Kappes joined James Bell in recording one of the first episodes of IndyBar's Podcast. Honor his memory by listening to his episode where he shares wisdom, history, and a giggle or two with listeners.

Apple Podcasts  |  Spotify

Skip's memorial service will be held at First Meridian Heights Presbyterian Church on Monday, April 21 at 2 p.m. Skip generously supported the church's food pantry, so attendees are asked to bring a gift of canned goods to donate in his honor. Read Skips obituary here.