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IndyBar Professionalism Resources
Through IndyBar's Master's Division, our members are working to improve public confidence and trust in lawyers through activities that promote positive lawyer images in the community and educate members and the public on how to avoid circumstances that can lead to client distrust and dissatisfaction. Learn more about the Masters Division's Professionalism Committee here.
IndyBar Professionalism Initiatives
The Professionalism Committee has undertaken a number of projects and initiatives to emphasize the important role of professionalism.
Mentor Connect
Your search for a mentor is over with Mentor Connect, an IndyBar program that matches a mentee with a mentoring team to help create meaningful and productive mentor relationships. Free from a laundry list of requirements, Mentor Connect lets the mentor/mentee teams work together to decide what works best for them. Plus, mentor teams get access to special IndyBar programming, including free CLE and networking opportunities! Get more details here.
The Indy Attorneys Network
Take the "work" out of networking with the Indy Attorneys Network! This service matches you each month with another IndyBar member so that you can meet new people, expand your network and even grow your potential for attorney referrals! Your match could be a judge, lawyer, paralegal or law student. All great people to add to your circle. Update your profile to add the service or select it on your membership application. Participation is only $25 a year.
Public Outreach Efforts
Through the Professionalism Committee, members gain opportunities to contribute to the Indianapolis community through public outreach activities like the committee's "Day of Service" and Exodus Refugee Project supply collection. Check back for details on upcoming public outreach opportunities.
Recognizing Professionalism
The Professionalism Committee recognizes professionalism through three awards: The Silver Gavel award for judges, the Professionalism Award for attorneys, and the Unsung Hero award for anyone who's made an impact in the legal community without the expectation of praise or recognition. These awards are given annually only when a qualified candidate is identified. The nomination form can be found here.
Past Award Recipients:
2005: Professionalism: Douglas J. Hill, Hill Fulwider McDowell Funk & Matthews
2006: Awards not given.
2007: Silver Gavel: Hon. John D. Tinder, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana; Professionalism: Karl L. Mulvaney, Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP
2008: Silver Gavel: Hon. Charles J. Deiter, Marion Superior Court, Probate Division, and Hon. Patricia J. Gifford, Marion Superior Court, Criminal Division; Professionalism: John R. Maley, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
2009: Silver Gavel: Hon. Theodore Boehm, Indiana Supreme Court; Professionalism: Kristin Fruehwald, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
2010: Silver Gavel: Hon. Sarah Evans Barker, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana; Professionalism: Marty Hollingsworth, Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP
2011: Silver Gavel: Hon. Kennard Foster, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana; Professionalism: Raymond Good
2012: Silver Gavel: Hon. Anthony Metz, U.S. Bankruptcy Court; Professionalism: Sally Zweig, Katz & Korin PC
2013: Silver Gavel: Hon. Gerald Zore, Marion Superior Court; Professionalism: C. Joseph Russell (posthumously)
2014: Silver Gavel: Hon. Brent Dickson, Indiana Supreme Court; Professionalism: Philip "Skip" Kappes, Lewis & Kappes
2015: Silver Gavel: Mag. Vicky Ransberger, Marion Superior Court; Professionalism: Ruth Johnson, Marion County Public Defender Agency
2016: Silver Gavel: Hon. Richard Young, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana; Professionalism: John C. Trimble, Lewis Wagner LLP
2018: Silver Gavel: Hon. William T. Lawrence, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana; Professionalism: Joel E. Tragesser, Quarles & Brady LLP; Unsung Hero Award: Prof. Lahny R. Silva, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
2019: Silver Gavel: Hon. Steven G. Poore, Washington Township Small Claims Court; Professionalism: Julia A. Carpenter, Krieg DeVault LLP; Unsung Hero Award: Crystal Francis, Indiana Legal Services Inc.
2020: Silver Gavel: Hon. Kimberly Mattingly, Marion Superior Court; Professionalism: Lindsey Scott, Kids' Voice of Indiana; Unsung Hero: Denise Hayden, Attorney at Law
2021: Silver Gavel: Hon. Patrick J. Dietrick, Marion Superior Court; Professionalism: Katherine Franke, Christie Farrell Lee & Bell PC; Unsung Hero: Richard Norris, Norris Choplin Schroeder LLP
2022: Silver Gavel: Hon. Robyn L. Moberly, U.S. Bankruptcy Court; Professionalism: Kathleen "Katie" Meek, Kids' Voice of Indiana; Unsung Hero: Andrew J. Fogle, Marion County Prosecutor's Office
2023: Silver Gavel: Hon. Heather Welch, Marion Superior Court; Professionalism: Scott E. Brady, Schuckit & Associates PC AND Mary M. Ruth Feldhake, Bose McKinney & Evans LLP; Unsung Hero: Marilyn J. Smith, Indiana Bar Foundation
2024: Silver Gavel: Hon. James R. Sweeney II, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana; Professionalism: Wayne C. Turner, Hoover Hull Turner LLP; Unsung Hero: Tracy T. Pappas, Indiana Legal Services Inc.
2025: Silver Gavel: Hon. Helen Marchal, Marion Superior Court; Professionalism: Pete Schroeder, Norris Chopin & Schroeder; Unsung Hero: Emily Shrock, Marion County Prosecutor's Office
Additional Information/Resources
Efforts to Maintain Professionalism:
Efforts to Maintain Public Confidence: