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Well-Being Committee
As the local bar association, IndyBar takes an active interest in the well-being of local legal professionals and their families. IndyBar's Well-Being Committee aims to provide support and/or assistance during times of personal and professional crisis. The committee also focuses on supporting the overall wellness of members in our legal community.
The Well-Being Committee was created to assist lawyers, judges, and paralegals in the Indianapolis metropolitan area who are personally experiencing a crisis or are affected by the crisis of someone close to them, such as a spouse or professional colleague. Additionally, by shedding light on the importance of self-care, the committee offers awareness and educational opportunities for members to adopt a healthy lifestyle that promotes physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
The Well-Being Committee's programs are available to all legal professionals practicing in the Indianapolis area and are not exclusive to IndyBar members.
Check out this upcoming event:
Rage and Rest: Using Endorphins and Mindfulness to Reset, a Wellness CLE and Fitness Event
Step away from the desk and into a space designed to support both your professional resilience and personal well-being. Join us for a unique wellness event created specifically for legal professionals who want to recharge their minds while gently moving their bodies.
Common Circles:
Interested in connecting with others with shared interests, challenges, and life experiences? IndyBar’s Well-Being Committee facilitates small-group discussions where IndyBar members can meet in a relaxed setting to share stories and find helpful support.
Current Common Circle Groups include:
- Family Law Practitioners - chaired by Travis Van Winkle, Law Office of Travis Van Winkle LLC
- Mental Health - chaired by Tori Veen, Marion County Public Defender Agency
- Sandwich Generation - chaired by Emily Kile-Maxwell, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
- Sober/Sober Curious - chaired by Eric Wood, Indiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (JLAP)
- Walk the Block - chaired by Monica McCoskey, Paganelli Law Group (northside) and Ellen Pactor, Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart PC (downtown)
If you are interested in joining a Common Circle, click here.
Special Well-Being Benefits
As an added perk to your membership, IndyBar's Well-Being Committee has partnered with several local organizations to help you satisfy your mental and physical health. High Octane Sports Academy and Balanced Soul are here to help support IndyBar members and their families. Just mention your IndyBar membership to access these incredible deals.
High Octane Sports Academy: Gain a 30-day free gym membership at High Octane Sports Academy, including a free week of group training for families with young athletes.
Balanced Soul: Get 10% off holistic well-being services including retreats, book clubs, active dream coaching, and more!
What kind of issues does the Well-Being Committee address?
The Well-Being Committee is available to support individuals experiencing health conditions, the death of a loved one, weather or other disaster-related events, or a major life crisis or setback.
The Well-Being Committee is not an appropriate vehicle to assist those struggling with substance abuse, mental health issues, gambling issues, or other problems that require more specialized assistance. Such matters may be referred to the IndyBar Lawyers Assistance Program, the Indiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (JLAP) or other support services. For more information or assistance, please contact Julie Armstrong, IndyBar Executive Director, at (317) 269-2000 or jarmstrong@indybar.org. The program is also not available to assist those in need of legal representation.
What kind of help is available?
Any response by the Well-Being Committee is meant to be meaningful, compassionate and appropriate under the circumstances. In some situations, the appropriate response might be a card or note from the Committee or others expressing support and concern. Other times, Well-Being Committee members might help identify and refer those needing assistance to the community or other resources for direct assistance.
Request Help
Requests for assistance can be made by a concerned friend or colleague on behalf of another individual or by individuals in crisis themselves. Requests should be submitted to IBA@indybar.org, to IndyBar Executive Director Julie Armstrong at jarmstrong@indybar.org or 269-2000, or to the Chair of the Well-Being Committee. Members of the Committee will then assess whether the matter is within the scope of the program, confirm that assistance is wanted, address confidentiality and determine the most appropriate response.
Information shared with the Well-Being Committee will be kept confidential and will not be communicated outside of the committee.
Read our most recent blog posts here:
- Introducing the 2026 IndyBar Well-Being Committee
- Well-Being Committee: 2025 Year in Review
- The Mindfulness Pause: A Moment Every Lawyer Deserves
- After Hours, Not Afterthought: Working Late Without Burning Out
- Reaching Out to JLAP
- Why I Take ‘Block Walks’ And Why You Should Too
- Take an Urban Nature Break
- Burnout in the Legal Profession: A Silent Epidemic
- Race Cars, Basketball, and Mental Health Awareness
- How the Well-Being Committee Can Help You
- Meet the Well-Being Committee
Well-Being Committee chairS
The Hon. Helen W. Marchal, Marion Superior Court
helen.marchal@indy.gov
Rani Amani, Ice Miller LLP
rani.amani@icemiller.com
How can I help?