With practice, I’ve gotten much better at striking up a conversation with people I’ve only met once or twice or (gasp!) am meeting for the first time. And while I’ll always be more comfortable in small group settings, I no longer fear happy hour receptions. Often I even enjoy them! I hope these three tips will help you too to not just survive but thrive at professional events.

Trial, for many, is an adrenaline-inducing euphoria. It can, however, be daunting, exhausting, and can become overwhelming. So, how does one rigorously prepare for trial so as to not be left scrambling? Begin preparing for trial on day one.

The return of in-person events gives rise to mingled feelings of anticipation and anxiety. Frequent questions include: a) Will the program be interesting? b) Will I know anyone there? c) Do my resort clothes still fit? The answers trend positive but vary by event. There is however one question with a definite, universally applicable and unvarying answer. You can stop worrying about what to order at the open bar. Here are seven reasons tonic and lime is the unrivaled work event beverage.

Get to know members of the IndyBar Young Lawyers Division! This week's spotlight features Libby Moyer of Ice Miller LLP.

Selected from an impressive pool of applicants, class members will have a unique opportunity to interact with prominent legal and community leaders, develop leadership skills, explore long-term opportunities for leadership and form a lifelong network. In its 19th year, the series is being led by Chris Hickey of Rubin & Levin PC. Class members will also develop and execute a team service project with the support of former Bar Leader Series participants, adding to their skills and network building. This year’s class will kick off at the Bench Bar Conference this June in Louisville.

The Juneteenth Holiday Celebration includes all races, ethnicities, religions and nationalities. It is a time for reconciliation and coming together as all citizens across the country acknowledge a period in our history that has influenced our society and continues to advance the ideals of liberty and justice for all. Whether you seek to learn about this significant period of our American history for the first time or strengthen your present understanding of it, you will not want to miss this closing plenary session at Bench Bar.

One of the best pieces of advice that I was given as a young lawyer was to make and build friendships and relationships for a lifetime. My mentor, Robert Wagner, loves people, and over a period of many years, I compiled a list of "golden rules" that I had gleaned from his example. Periodically, I have added a few of my own. I hope that this is a list that you will keep and find time to remember. I can assure you that the very best in any profession adhere to some or all these rules.

Get to know members of the IndyBar Young Lawyers Division! This week's spotlight features Joey Wright of Paganelli Law Group.

am here to set the record straight on perception vs. reality on a favorite subject of mine, the CJC. Over the past two years I have been the chair of the Marion Superior Court tech committee. I have lived, breathed, slept and dreamed of the new CJC. Over the past six months, the CJC has been my office, my second home. As the building of the CJC has progressed the legal community began talking and developing perceptions, theories and myths.

Advanced directives are essential tools for ensuring one's wishes for medical and end-of-life treatment are known. Unfortunately, people with intellectual or developmental disabilities are often overlooked in discussions surrounding advanced directives. Thanks to a $35,000 grant from the Indianapolis Bar Foundation, a new program from Indiana Disability Rights will empower these individuals to make their important end-of-life choices known.