The Indiana Supreme Court’s Division of State Court Administration welcomed their newest Staff Attorney, Ruth Reichard. Ruth brings with her over 27 years of combined litigation, judicial and teaching experience, as well as a passion for domestic violence issues.
She served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Marion County, and then as a Judge in the Marion Municipal Courts from 1991 through 2000. Thereafter, she served 6 years as a senior judge. During that time she was instrumental in drafting new Protective Order statutes, alongside the Judicial Conference Protection Order Committee and Jeff Bercovitz, Director, Juvenile & Family Law, Indiana Judicial Center. Additionally, she has served as a faculty/consultant for the Indiana Law Enforcement Officers and for the Judicial Center Protective Order Committee. She is nationally recognized for her work in these areas.
More recently, Ruth has focused her efforts on earning a Ph.D. in History from IU Bloomington, which is near completion. In her new position, Ruth already has a vision on how to obtain additional grants. Her contact information is: 317-233-0784, or, email: [email protected].
Michael Commons is the new State Court Administration family law staff attorney.
Mike was the first and only CHINS (Child in Need of Services) mediator for Marion Superior Court (Juvenile Division), the Honorable Marilyn Moores presiding. Judge Moores wanted a full-time mediator to improve the services offered to families going through the CHINS process. The new program, modeled after a very successful effort in Arizona, has been favorably received. Participating families benefit from the services offered and children are in a more nourishing environment.
Mike worked as a public defender in CHINS cases and had a private practice that focused on family law issues prior to his mediator position. He is eager to know more about the trial courts throughout the state and is open to new ideas for improving services to Indiana families. His contact information is: 317-233-1579, or, email:
[email protected].