This is the forty-second of our Court Times articles that highlight up close and personal a member of the Indiana Judiciary.
Madison Superior Court Judge Mark Dudley graduated from Indiana University – Bloomington with degrees in history and political science, and obtained his law degree, cum laude, from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 1990.
He began his professional career in 1991 and maintained an active civil practice until he was appointed to the bench by Governor Mike Pence in 2015 to replace Judge Dennis D. Carroll. He won in a contested May primary election and then to a full term in the November 2016 general election.
Judge Dudley lives in rural Madison County with his wife, Christine, and their six daughters: Anna (IU-Bloomington first year medical student), Teresa (St. Mary-of-the-Woods College junior), Monica (Marion University sophomore), Sarah (Pendleton Heights High School senior), Catherine (8th grade), and Maria (4th grade).
Christine has home-schooled the girls through the eighth grade, when upon graduation they have attended Pendleton Heights High School. Judge Dudley ran his first Boston Marathon in 2016 and intends to run the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon with his daughter, Anna, this November.
What do you like most and least about being a trial court judge?
What I enjoy most is watching capable attorneys work. Good lawyers can take routine and somewhat dry material and turn it into a compelling story.
The least enjoyable part of being a trial court judge for me is the seemingly unending stream of drug-affected people. I see how drugs affect people on a daily basis, and it can be depressing. I don’t enjoy watching the havoc wrought upon their lives by drugs and their inability to break their addiction. As a judge, I often feel powerless to effectively intervene, and the feeling of powerlessness is not enjoyable.
What was your major in college and why did you decide to study law?
My majors were history and political science. In the spring of my junior year at Indiana University, I thought with history and political science degrees, I might be able to find a job working for a government agency or teaching at the high school level.
A brief stint as a religious education teacher proved I had few skills to be a teacher and I might mentally scar my students. My undeveloped and vague government idea did not appeal to me.
I then thought I could pursue a master’s in history. This thought appealed to me, but what can someone do with a master’s? I really liked college, so I considered how could I extend my experience? The answer was to go to law school, and I did just that.
What would you do if you were not a judge?
If I were not a judge, I would be a lawyer.
Who are the people you most admire?
The person I most admire is my mentor and friend, Max Howard. I started practicing law with Max back in 1991. If I was ever remotely good at practicing law, it was due to Max’s influence. Every day Max embodies the attributes listed in our code of professional conduct. He is honorable and an unwavering advocate for his clients. He is generous and caring and always looking to help those around him.
What are your hobbies or favorite leisure activities?
My leisure activity is running, but I wonder whether it is my favorite. A good friend reminds me running is the only sport that, while you are doing it, your prime hope is it will be over soon. Nevertheless, running keeps me connected to my adult daughters and provides a healthy activity to do with my wife.
What is on your recommended reading list?
I tend not to recommend books because everyone’s interest varies so much. With that said, I have read recently and enjoyed Rick Atkinson’s The Guns at Last Light and, at the request of one of my daughters, revisited one of my childhood favorites, The New Adventures of the Mad Scientist Club by Bertrand Brinley.
Where did you grow up and how would you describe your childhood?
I grew up in Greencastle, Indiana through the 6th grade, which is and was a great town to grow up in as a young boy. I had free reign of the town, DePauw University, and the surrounding countryside.
I flew kites at the observatory up the road from my house, explored in the woods, rode my bike to nearby lakes and ponds, bowled at DePauw’s union, and visited the fraternity houses for Halloween apple bobbing.
Do you have a favorite quote(s)?
“Take a deep breath.” As a father of six daughters, I have found this phrase is effective in defusing conflict.
Where is your favorite vacation spot?
As a child, our family spent two weeks every summer at Long Beach, North Carolina at my grandparents’ house. We went to the beach nearly every day, swam in the ocean, dug clams to eat, fished from the dock on an inland waterway, and trapped blue crabs from the dock.
Occasionally, I went out on a chartered boat to fish on the ocean or down to the Piggly Wiggly with my grandfather to get a few food items. Long Beach was great because of the positive experiences I had being there with my family.
Do you have a favorite meal, recipe, and restaurant?
There is no better meal than a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Throughout college and law school every lunch was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I continue the tradition, and Saturday lunches are also always a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. For me, food is a means to an end, and the PB&J is filling, tasty, and requires almost no time to make or eat.