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

Gabriella Capocelli recently joined The Gibson Legal Group. Gabriella focuses her practice on real estate and business litigation. Prior to her current focus, she gained valuable trial and advocacy experience working in the Madison County Prosecutor’s Office in the Major Felony Unit and served as a public defender with the Marion County Public Defender Agency.

Jon LaFollette works with the Indiana Attorney General's Office. A recent Member Headline incorrectly reported that he had moved jobs. Jon has been with the Indiana Attorney General's Office since June 2024.

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.

• The Indianapolis Bar Foundation Empowerment Breakfast was held on Tuesday, September 30th at Broadmoor Country Club. Congratulations to the Empowerment Grant winner Exodus Refugee for their Legal Intake Project and to all the Distinguished Fellows and Life Fellows selected by the IndyBar Foundation. The Community Empowerment Breakfast also kicked off the 8th annual Day of Giving. IndyBar Foundation volunteers had an incredibly successful day of fundraising, raising over $73,300 in just one day. Thanks go out to everyone who donated, posted on social media, shared via email, and volunteered their time to support the IndyBar Foundation. 
• IndyBar is planning for the future of our members. A Strategic Planning Retreat was held on September 24th and 25th to define the goals, strategies, and areas of focus for the organizations future. Thanks to all those who took time out of their practice to participate in the retreat as it will assist us in being prepared for the changes and challenges of practicing law in the future.
• On Monday, September 29th, we invited the managing partners of our local law firms to discuss our Indiana Attorney General’s recent public statements regarding DEI practices. IndyBar will continue to monitor with our members the impact of any action that may be taken in the future and how we may assist firms or lawyers impacted. 
• IndyBar is so appreciative of the outstanding staff that we have! Congratulations to Kamryn (Reed) Manley who was recently married and just celebrated her third year as one of IndyBar’s Program and Event Coordinators. Thank you, Kamryn for all you to do further the benefits IndyBar gives to its members. 
• Congratulations to John Maley, past President of the Indianapolis Bar Association, for being elected to lead the Indiana State Bar Association as its President. John’s installation is set for October 10, 2025.

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 cover 'Moving Up or Moving Sideways?'
 

Let’s face it, we’re all doomscrolling right now, stuck in an endless loop of bad news after bad news. The Hispanic Lawyers Division is hoping to break through your negative Instagram feed with something positive: a new video series in partnership with Latinos Indy that’s all about empowerment, education, community connection, and promoting local events for the Latino community in Indianapolis. 

One of the most fulfilling aspects of being an Indianapolis Bar Association member is the opportunity to engage with our community in meaningful ways. Whether it’s through the IndyBar Foundation’s Community Empowerment Grant or an IndyBar Bar Leader Series class project, we’re constantly finding ways to make a difference and build real, lasting relationships with organizations that share those values.

Read more.

Indiana Court of Appeals Judge, Cale Bradford, was recently recognized at the 7th Circuit Bench Bar Conference in Chicago. The American Inns of Courts nominates and awards in each federal circuit the Professionalism award to a lawyer or judge whose life and practice display sterling character and unqualified integrity, coupled with ongoing dedication to the highest standards of the legal profession and the rule of law.

Since 1992, Judge Bradford has served in a variety of leadership positions, including Assistant United States Attorney, Chief Trial Deputy for the Marion County Prosecutor’s office, Presiding Judge of the Marion Superior Courts, and Chief Judge of the Indiana Court of Appeals. It is his virtues and character traits of kindness, honesty, courage, and faith that caught the attention of the committee, however.

Introduced by Chief Judge of the 7th Circuit, Diane Sykes, and followed by United States Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett on the program, Judge Bradford was lauded by deep and meaningful impact on the Marion County judiciary and its members, the Court of Appeals, and too many young lawyers to mention. Impact felt in not only his leadership, but his substantial amount of time dedicated to mentorship, particularly during tough times or with tough assignments. He was given a standing ovation by all the attendees at the Conference, and humbly accepted the award with brief remarks. Congratulations to “Judge Cale” and thank you for your substantial to the Indiana legal community and culture during your 40+ years! 
 

Lawyers spend countless hours poring over hundreds, sometimes thousands of documents to frame a case in precisely persuasive ways. But what happens when the documents you need are not available?  As one plaintiff recently found out, the answer is not to bury your head in the sand and hope for the best. 

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In the current trade environment, tariff volatility demands thoughtful consideration by owners and contractors. Includedis a three-step process for evaluating tariff risks inherent in any construction contract.

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Over September 11 and September 12, the newest class of IndyBar’s Bar Leader Series gathered together for a remote retreat to learn, connect, and begin what will be a highly transformative year. Bar Leader Class XXII is structured by Hon. Frank Sullivan, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, and is chaired by Hon. Jennifer Harrison, Marion Superior Court and State Representative Ed DeLaney. At this retreat, class members spent time learning about many aspects of professional leadership, including how to use their skills from law to impact the community and how to work with and lead a team. As their season has officially begun, we’d like to congratulate the members of Bar Leader Class XXII:

Chaka Coleman, Obvion Consulting Group
Scott Collins, Woodard Emhardt Henry Reeves & Wagner LLP
Meg Darby, Emswiller Williams Noland & Clarke LLC
Hannah Deters, Indiana Department of Health
Cheryl El Tawil, Attorney at Law
Tiffany Guthrie, Kightlinger & Gray LLP
Katie Jackson, Dentons Bingham Greenebaum LLP
Thomas Jones, Lewis Kappes PC
Evan Kennedy, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Zachary Lange, Jeselskis Brinkerhoff & Joseph LLC
Lindsay Llewellyn, Riley Bennett Egloff LLP
Star Martinez, Lewis Wagner & Trimble LLP
Thomas Palmer, Lewis Wagner & Trimble LLP
Evan Rutter, Quarles & Brady LLP
Dakota Slaughter, Bose McKinney & Evans LLP
Timothy Stucky, Kightlinger & Gray LLP
Amanda Wilhite, Calumet, Inc.
Leslie Wine, Indiana Federal Community Defenders
Adriana Zeljkovic, Emswiller Williams Noland & Clarke LLP

Meet our newest member spotlight, Russell Hollis.

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

Jason Fulk is pleased to announce the opening of his new law practice, J Fulk Legal LLC. Through the firm, Jason will continue his complex commercial litigation practice and leverage his in-house experience to provide cost-effective legal solutions as a fractional General Counsel, as well as in the areas of transportation law and motorsports law. For more information, visit www.jfulklegal.com. 

Jon LaFollette recently joined the City of Indianapolis. Jon is an Indianapolis native who transitioned into the legal field in 2017 after a career in sports writing. He covered events that ranged from high school football to the Indianapolis 500. He previously worked at the Marion County Prosecutor's Office and the State Public Defender Agency.

Dallin Lykins recently joined Banks and Brower. Dallin is a Spanish-speaking immigration attorney with 15 years of experience handling a wide range of cases. A Super Lawyer and active AILA member, he frequently speaks on immigration issues and has appeared before multiple federal agencies.

Albert Wong is now at Massillamany Jeter & Carson LLP and leads the Healthcare Practice Group. He brings more than two decades of experience in medical malpractice defense and healthcare regulatory law. Albert's work spans medical malpractice defense, professinoal licensure representation, and long-term care facility advocacy.

Adam Zacher is now at Easter + Cavosie. Adam has extensive experience in resolving supply chain disputes, general breach of contract matters, franchise fraud litigation, asbestos claims, real estate litigation, and construction cases.