Judge Richard Payne Receives George B. Davis Award
Former Hancock Superior Court Judge, Richard T. Payne, received the Hancock County Bar Association George B. Davis Distinguished Jurist Award at its Spring Bar Association Dinner. The Bar Association created the award, named for eminent Hancock Circuit Court Judge, George B. Davis, to recognize exemplary and dedicated service by an Indiana trial court judge.
Payne served as Judge of the Hancock Superior Court for thirty-one years, an additional eleven years as a Senior Judge appointed by the Indiana Supreme Court, and as a civil and domestic relations mediator and arbitrator. Judge Payne continues to work on behalf of the Indiana judiciary as a staff attorney for the Indiana Supreme Court Division of State Court Administration.
New Staff at State Court Administration
Elizabeth (Libby) Milliken
Libby Milliken is the latest attorney to join the staff at State Court Administration. Libby is an experienced Deputy Prosecutor and had an important part in initiating the Marion County Community Court project. She left the office in 2009 to start a solo practice, where she handled criminal defense and a variety of civil law matters. Her scope of litigation experiences will serve her well in her new role as part of the Trial Court Management staff. Libby graduated from Beloit College and Indiana University Robert E McKinney School of Law. Libby is also a yoga instructor and takes ju jitsu lessons to stay stronger than her 7-year-old son, while he takes judo lessons.
Derrick Mason
Derrick Mason joined the Division of State Court Administration as the new staff attorney for the Public Defender Commission. Derrick has a bachelor’s degree in finance and his law degree from Indiana University Bloomington. He has the distinction of being one of Herman B. Wells’ assistants. Derrick worked in private practice for Spangler, Jennings & Dougherty of Merrillville and then served as Staff Counsel for the Department of Child Services in Monroe County. The Public Defender’s Office hired Derrick in 2007 where he worked prior to joining the Division.
Brandie Spencer
Brandie Spencer is the new Front Desk Receptionist at State Court Administration. Before starting here, Brandie volunteered at the National Wildlife Federation and has a heart for volunteer work. She is experienced in dealing with disgruntled members of the public, on the phone or in person, from a prior job working for Community Action of Greater Indianapolis Inc. She came highly recommended from our own Ashley Hayden, as they had worked together previously at a Bloomington law firm. Brandie has a bachelor’s degree in English from Purdue University. Her husband, Matthew Hutchinson, works as a tax analyst for the Indiana Budget Agency, and they both work only a few blocks from their residence.