Leanna Weissman appointed to Court of Appeals Leanna K. Weissmann was appointed to the Court of Appeals by Governor Eric Holcomb and began her service on September 14, 2020, succeeding Judge John G. Baker after his summer retirement. Judge Weissmann graduated from Indiana University with a dual B.A. in journalism and English. She also earned […]
Spotlight
JAG commission, judges pass, Tobias fellow
Judge Doug Fahl receives JAG commission Whitley County Judge and Lieutenant Colonel Doug Fahl will assume a new military judge role created by the Indiana National Guard beginning September 1, 2020, after he completed the 63rd Military Judge Course offered by The Judge Advocate General’s School on June 19. Judge Fahl will continue to serve […]
Appointments, 2020 Census, Long-Time Staff
Judge Cale Bradford Elected as Chief Judge The judges of the Indiana Court of Appeals have elected Judge Cale Bradford as its Chief Judge. He succeeds Judge Nancy Vaidik, who served in that capacity for six years. His term began on January 1. Judge Bradford also serves as Vice Chairman of the Marion County Judicial […]
IJA Awards, Innovation Initiative, Judicial & Board Appointments
Judge Jenny Pitts Manier Receives IJA Excellence in Public Information and Education Award St. Joseph County Superior Court Judge Jenny Pitts Manier was awarded the Indiana Judges Association’s Excellence in Public Information and Education Award. Judge Manier was recognized for her leadership of “One Bar, One Book,” a monthly study group sponsored by the St. […]
ICLEF Award, Ice Cream Social, Judicial & Committee Appointments
Judge Heather Welch Receives Antoinette Dakin Leach Award Judge Heather Welch of the Marion Superior Court was honored by the IndyBar Women and the Law Division with the Antoinette Dakin Leach Award, which is presented annually to recognize the accomplishments of a female attorney in central Indiana. She will be honored at the annual Antoinette […]
Portraits unveiling, New agency director, Judicial appointments and other highlights
Portraits unveiling On April 16, a brief ceremony took place to unveil a new look for the Supreme Court Conference Room. The Indiana Bar Foundation gifted to the Court a painting of former Chief Justice Brent Dickson (1986-2016) by northwest Indiana artist Michael Chelich. Additionally, photographs of former Justices Robert Rucker (1999-2017) and Myra Selby […]
Judiciary highlights
Court family mourns loss The Honorable Amy C. Conner Cornell, Judge of the Wabash Superior Court, died February 19 after a difficult battle with cancer. She was 42 years old. Judge Cornell was a graduate of Purdue University, Indiana University Maurer School of Law, and Princeton Theological Seminary. Following law school, she served as a […]
Judicial Spotlight
Judicial appointments Judith Corcoran Benckart was appointed to the Monroe County Circuit Court, succeeding Judge Kenneth G. Todd, who retired in October 2018. She previously served as deputy prosecuting attorney for Monroe County. Benckart earned her Bachelor’s degree from Ball State University and her law degree from Indiana University McKinney School of Law. Magistrate Jennifer […]
Judicial appointments
Andrea R. Trevino was appointed to the Allen Superior Court, succeeding Judge Daniel Heath, who retired earlier this year. Trevino has served as a Magistrate in Allen County Circuit Court since 2013. Trevino earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Saint Joseph’s College and her law degree from Indiana University Maurer School of Law. John […]
Mock Trial Steering Committee Announced
Indiana won the bid to host the National High School Mock Trial Championship in 2020 in Evansville, Indiana. Co-chairs for the Championship are Hon. Steven David, Indiana Supreme Court, and Hon. Richard Young, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Evansville. The other Indiana judicial officers on the steering committee are: David Kiely, Vanderburgh County […]
New IOCS Executive Director
Mary Willis, Chief Administrative Officer of the Indiana Supreme Court’s Office of Judicial Administration, announced that Indiana Office of Court Services (IOCS) Deputy Director Justin Forkner has been promoted to Executive Director. The position was previously held by Jane Seigel, who announced her well-deserved spring retirement after many years of dedicated and faithful service. Forkner, […]
Court family mourns loss
The Honorable Larry L. Ambler, Magistrate of the St. Joseph Circuit Court, died unexpectedly on February 14. He was 71 years old. A graduate of St. Joseph High School, University of Dayton, and the University of Notre Dame Law School, Magistrate Ambler was appointed magistrate in 2005. He also served as an attorney for the […]
Judicial appointments
Jamie M. Groves was appointed as Judge of Huntington County Circuit Court, succeeding Judge Thomas M. Hakes who retired at the end of 2017. Groves served as chief deputy prosecutor in Huntington County, where he worked for the past 20 years. Prior to attending law school, Groves worked as a juvenile court probation officer and […]
Court family mourns loss
The Honorable Evan S. Roberts, Judge of the Elkhart Superior Court #1, died November 11 at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago after a courageous battle with AML Leukemia which was diagnosed in March 2017. He was 52 years old. Judge Roberts was a graduate of Deerfield High School in Chicago, Purdue University, John Marshall Law School […]
ISBA Awards
On August 30, the Indiana State Bar Association held their annual awards luncheon in Indianapolis. The following Indiana Jurists were recognized: Honorable Loretta H. Rush, Chief Justice of Indiana, Women in the Law Recognition Award Honorable Thomas J. Felts, Allen County Circuit Court Judge, Outstanding Judge Award Honorable Matthew C. Kincaid, Boone County Superior Court […]
