Indiana Judge Gregory J. Donat Receives Access to Justice Award
Judge Gregory J. Donat of the Tippecanoe Superior Court in Lafayette, Indiana was named the 2010 recipient of the American Judicature Society’s Kathleen M. Sampson Access to Justice Award. The award recognizes Judge Donat’s leadership in efforts to improve access to justice for all people. He received the award at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the Indiana Judicial Conference in Indianapolis.
Monica Fennell, Executive Director of the Indiana Pro Bono Commission, nominated Donat for the award, citing his work “to ensure that pro bono and pro se efforts are integrated and that all stakeholders in the access to justice community work together to better provide legal help for the poor.” Fennell noted that “he ensures that victims’ rights and self-represented litigant issues are not overlooked whenever he is involved.” Lilia Judson, Executive Director of the Division of State Court Administration, who wrote in support of Judge Donat’s nomination, said “Judge Donat’s steadfast commitment to this cause has been galvanizing factor in the development of services and programs for pro se litigants in Indiana.”
Jane Seigel, Executive Director of the Indiana Judicial Center, remarked that “Judge Donat has been a leader in the State of Indiana as he has creatively tried to develop resources for self-represented litigants–ensuring them their day in court.”
In addition to his work in Indiana, Donat has led and contributed to national projects to enhance access to justice through specialized courts. Anne Seymour, National Crime Victim Advocate, praised Donat’s work to “provide quality services to victims and survivors of crime” through domestic violence courts and drug courts, noting that “whenever we need a judge who truly sees the importance of balancing the rights of those accused and convicted of crimes, with the [rights] of victims of such crimes, we call upon Judge Donat for his wisdom, expertise and fairness.”
The Kathleen M. Sampson Access to Justice Award is named after the long-time AJS Senior Program Associate and pioneer in the field of improving court services for self-represented litigants. The award is given to individuals or organizations that make extraordinary contributions to ensuring access to justice for all.
Founded in 1913, the American Judicature Society’s mission is to secure and promote an independent and qualified judiciary and a fair system of justice. AJS carries out its mission through empirical research, publications, and educational programs focusing on access to justice, criminal justice system reforms, judicial selection, judicial ethics, the jury, judicial independence, and public understanding of the justice system. For more information, visit www.ajs.org.
Two Trial Court Judges Appointed to Indiana Public Defender Commission
Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Mary Ellen Diekhoff and Jasper County Superior Court Judge James R. Ahler have been appointed to the Indiana Public Defender Commission by Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard.
“Judge Diekhoff and Judge Ahler will be terrific additions to the Public Defender Commission. The Commission provides crucial financial assistance to Indiana courts and it will benefit from the leadership of these two splendid trial judges,” Chief Justice Shepard said.
Judge Mary Ellen Diekhoff was appointed to fill a position that became available when Rebecca McClure was appointed to the bench in Boone County. Judge Diekhoff was elected to the Monroe Circuit Court in 2005. Previously, she served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney from 1989 to 2004.
Judge James R. Ahler is filling the position vacated by Bettye Lou Jerrel. Mrs. Jerrel resigned this year after serving as a member of the Indiana Public Defender Commission since November 1993. Judge Ahler was appointed to the Jasper Superior Court in November 2007.