New ICLEO Director Named
The Division of State Court Administration is pleased to welcome Phyllisia Gant as the new Coordinator and staff attorney for the Indiana Conference of Legal Education Opportunity (ICLEO), one of the programs administered by the Division.
Immediately prior to joining the Division staff, Phyllisia was an attorney with the Marion County Public Defender’s office where she represented parents in child in need of services (CHINS) and termination of parental rights (TPR) cases. While in law school, Phyllisia worked with the Hudson & Holland Scholars program at IU—Bloomington assisting minority students to reach high scholastic performance goals. Phyllisia graduated from Howard University summa cum laude and from IU Maurer School of Law.
Experienced Attorneys to Lead Board of Law Examiners and State Public Defender’s Office
The Indiana Supreme Court named two accomplished attorneys as agency directors. Bradley W. Skolnik will serve as the State Board of Law Examiners Executive Director and Stephen T. Owens will become the State Public Defender. Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard made the announcement describing both attorneys “as committed and capable public servants.”
Board of Law Examiners Executive Director
Mr. Skolnik was a partner with the Indianapolis law firm of Stewart & Irwin, P.C., where he practices in the areas of securities regulation, financial services and general corporate litigation.
Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Skolnik worked as the Indiana Securities Commissioner in the Indiana Secretary of State’s office. He served as President of the North American Securities Administration Association and in that capacity testified before the U.S. House and Senate. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and the Indiana University Maurer School of Law.
State Public Defender
“Stephen Owens’ two decade career in the State Public Defender’s Office says it all,” explained Chief Justice Shepard. “His promotion comes after years of advocating for clients without means and helping run an office tasked with a huge responsibility—ensuring basic fairness.” Mr. Owens has been a Deputy State Public Defender since 1986.
As the Assistant Chief Deputy of Personnel in the office, Mr. Owens was the training coordinator for new attorneys. He also worked on preparation of the annual report and assisted with budget matters. He is a graduate of Illinois College and the University of Dayton.
Monroe County CASA Wins National Contest for Recruitment Poster Design
Monroe County CASA has won a national award for designing a volunteer recruitment poster and the chance to win at the People’s Choice judging at the annual CASA conference.
Monroe County CASA won the first-ever National CASA Association Communications Contest from a pool of more than 55 entries. The winning entry was part of the Volunteer category, one of three possible categories entries were judged upon.
CASA would like to thank Ryan Kegley, art director and designer, for his work with Monroe County CASA. His work highlights the mission of CASA by using a single, powerful image.