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. 

In collaboration with the IU 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. Attorney volunteers will provide students with reasonable expectations in the interview process and help them avoid common pitfalls in a "hands on" learning experience. This is a core program administered by the law school, so volunteers should expect responsiveness and clear communication.

TOTAL VOLUNTEER TIME ANTICIPATED: Less than 90 minutes

TIMELINE: Interviews would be completed before the end of the 2025 Fall Semester, likely to commence as early as September 2025.

IndyBar’s Bill Watch Report is an important tool,  ensuring that legal professionals in Indianapolis stay informed and engaged with legislative developments that impact the practice of law. This past session, 1,250 different measures were filed by the General Assembly. The Public Advocacy Committee, made up of lawyer-lobbyists, reviewed every bill and resolution, tagging relevant bills to specific practice groups’ tracking lists. Through this work, IndyBar is able to offer a comprehensive tool for attorneys, law firms, and other legal professionals to track proposed bills, track their progress through the process, and understand the potential implications of these legislative changes on their work and their clients. This service facilitates active participation in the legislative process and empowers legal practitioners to make informed decisions.

Read more.

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

Janet L. Thompson has joined Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani as an Associate. Her practice focuses on providing strategic legal representation in appellate matters, commercial litigation, professional liability, and general litigation.

Brent D. Mosby has joined Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP as Of Counsel. He draws upon his more than twenty years of experience as in-house counsel and as a private practitioner to offer a unique perspective to his clients.

Finis Tatum IV has joined Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani as a Partner. He practices primarily in the areas of complex civil litigation and white-collar defense and internal investigations.

Scott A. Oliver was recently awarded the Red Cane Award for the most outstanding Adjunct Professor of Law at Indiana University McKinney School of Law—an award given annually to just one adjunct, based on student nominations for teaching excellence.

He was also named to the Indiana Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for the fourth consecutive year—an achievement reserved for no more than 2.5% of attorneys in each state, selected through a rigorous, multi-phase process that evaluates professional achievement, peer recognition, and legal excellence.

Scott is a partner in Lewis Kappes PC’s Lending & Finance department, where he advises bank and non-bank lenders on SBA loan closings across all 50 states. Together with his team of attorneys, paralegals, and SBA closing professionals, he helps lenders maximize loan volume and protect the SBA guaranty through precise, process-driven legal oversight. 

Meet Carrie Doehrmann, Frost Brown Todd LLP, our newest member spotlight!

Meet Robert Adams, Strategic Design Specialist, our next Member Spotlight!