Meet the Women and the Law Division Member of the Month for July: Monica McCoskey, Paganelli Law Group.

Meet the Women and the Law Division's Member of the Month for May: Hannah Oates, Associate at Ice Miller LLP.

Join us June 11-13 in French Lick for Bench Bar 2026, where members of the bench and bar come together for CLE, networking, and meaningful professional connection. This year’s program features keynote presentations from Super Bowl champion Gary Brackett on adaptability and David "DJ" Gross on practical AI skills, along with breakout sessions covering topics like digital assets, crimmigration, voir dire strategy, and judicial best practices. With opportunities to unwind through golf, pickleball, yoga, and evening social events, the conference blends practical learning with the chance to strengthen relationships across the legal community.

Learn more at indybar.org/benchbar.

Meet the Women and the Law April Member of the Month Jodi Velasco, Indiana Legal Services, Inc.

Meet our newest Women and the Law Division Member of the Month, Michelle Waymire

Discover more about the Women and the Law Division's October member of the month, Libby Roberts!

Nominations are open until 5 p.m. on December 1, 2025.

Uplifting someone can never be done enough, recognizing colleagues for their hard work is always time well-spent. Be the person that makes someone’s day by taking a few minutes to nominate a fellow IndyBar member for recognition for one of the honors below.

Mentorship Award
The Women and the Law Division seeks to honor a female legal professional who has demonstrated consistent and exceptional mentorship for at least five years, along with strong leadership within the legal community. Nominees should have a proven impact on those they’ve mentored—supported by examples or stories—and should hold (or have previously held) meaningful leadership roles such as board positions or public office. Consideration is also given to diversity in background, experience, and perspective. Nominate today.

Summer Reception Speaker Award
The Women and the Law Division hosts an annual Summer Reception featuring a keynote speech from a distinguished female legal professional who exemplifies leadership, innovation, and a commitment to advancing women in law. Honorees are recognized for breaking barriers, promoting diversity and inclusion, mentoring others, and making a positive impact in both the legal field and the broader community. We value diverse backgrounds and encourage, though do not require, IndyBar involvement. Nominate here.

The Hon. V. Sue Shields Young Female Attorney Award
Presented annually by IndyBar’s Women and the Law Division, this award honors a rising female attorney under 40 or with 3–10 years of practice who demonstrates exceptional legal skill, leadership, and a commitment to advancing women in the legal profession. Named after Judge V. Sue Shields—the first woman elected to a general jurisdiction trial court in Indiana and the first female U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Indiana—the award celebrates young attorneys who embody her trailblazing spirit through professional excellence, community service, mentorship, advocacy for diversity and inclusion, and contributions to legal innovation. Nominate someone now.

Antoinette Dakin Leach Award
In 1893, Antoinette Dakin Leach became a pioneer for women in law by successfully challenging a gender-based denial of bar admission before the Indiana Supreme Court. Though she received her license to practice, she wasn’t admitted to the Indiana State Bar Association until 1909 due to ongoing opposition. In her honor, the Women & the Law Division presents the Antoinette Dakin Leach Award to an attorney whose trailblazing leadership, commitment to advancing women in the legal profession, and impactful community advocacy reflect Leach’s legacy of courage, resilience, and dedication to justice and equity. Make a nomination today.

It's time to ring in the holiday season! Celebrate at one (or several) of our IndyBar holiday parties happening in December.

Discover more about the Women and the Law Divisions October member of the month, Elizabeth Eichholtz Walker!

Professor Watson’s entire career has involved breaking down barriers or challenging the norms within the legal profession. When Frances graduated law school, women comprised approximately only 8% of all lawyers in the United States. Today, almost half the number of lawyers in the United States are female. It is because of lawyers like Frances. She graduated in a predominantly male class of future lawyers. After law school, Frances went on to an accomplished career dedicated to public service and advancing the legal profession. She worked as a deputy public defender, and an assistant corporation counsel for the city of Indianapolis before becoming a clinical supervisor at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. In 1990, Frances served as the first Chief Public Defender in Marion County. Prior to the creation of the Marion County Public Defender Agency, public defenders were appointed directly by the trial court judge. The creation of the Marion County Public Defender Agency not only took away the optics of bias between the public defender and the judge but also revolutionized indigent criminal defense in Indianapolis and throughout the State of Indiana.