The Hon. Mark Massa, formerly the Executive Director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, took the oath of office as Indiana’s 107th Justice on April 2, 2012. The private oath was administered by former Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard, who is now a Senior Judge for the Indiana Court of Appeals. A public, formal swearing-in ceremony will be held on May 7, 2012.
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels named Justice Massa to succeed Chief Justice Shepard who retired from the Court. Justice Massa served as a law clerk for Chief Justice Shepard from 1991-1993. Shepard congratulated his successor and said, “I know the Supreme Court Justices, Agency Directors and staff warmly welcome Mark Massa to the Court.”
Justice Massa pointed to Shepard’s valuable leadership as a reason his appointment to the Court is so meaningful. “What an incredible honor to be joining this Court. Under the Chief Justice’s guidance, it has become one of the leading state courts in the nation, and I’m humbled to be a part of it.”
In February, the Judicial Nominating Commission held two rounds of public interviews of the fifteen applicants for the position and voted to send Mr. (now Justice) Mark Massa, the Hon. Cale Bradford and Ms. Jane Seigel to the Governor as finalists. Governor Daniels selected Massa as Indiana’s 107th justice. The Commission will select the next Chief Justice from among the five justices on the Court.