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Indiana Court Times

Published by the Indiana Office of Judicial Administration

You are here: Home / Columns / Spotlight / Judges speak at events, new judges appointed, awards & honors

Judges speak at events, new judges appointed, awards & honors

February 5, 2024

Judicial Appointments

Daviess County

Governor Holcomb appointed Dan Murrie to the Daviess County Superior Court to fill the vacancy left by Judge Dean A. Sobecki’s retirement at the end of 2023. Prior to his appointment, Murrie served as the Daviess County prosecutor and chief deputy prosecutor. Murrie earned his undergraduate degree from Westminster College and his law degree from the University of Missouri. He is active in the community and volunteers for the Washington Rotary Club and the Odon Lions Club.


Hamilton County

Governor Holcomb appointed Andrew Bloch to the Hamilton Superior Court, replacing Judge Paul Felix, who was appointed to the Court of Appeals in 2023. Bloch has previously served as a magistrate in Hamilton County and had a private family law practice. Bloch serves on the Supreme Court’s Domestic Relations Committee, serves as a mentor to bar applicants who are re-taking the Bar Exam, and volunteers as a judge in the Hamilton County Mock Trial competition. Bloch received his undergraduate degree from Xavier University and law degree from IU McKinney School of Law.


St. Joseph County

Governor Holcomb appointed David Francisco to the St. Joseph Superior Court to fill the seat left by retiring Judge John Marnocha. Francisco most recently worked as a self-employed criminal defense attorney in St. Joseph and Elkhart counties. He also served as a part-time public defender in St. Joseph and a deputy prosecuting attorney in Elkhart. Francisco received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles and his law degree from IU Maurer School of Law. He is a volunteer coach for mock trial at Notre Dame Law School and John Adams High School.


Wayne County

Governor Holcomb appointed Mark Cox to the Wayne Superior Court to succeed Judge Darrin Dolehanty. Cox has worked as a self-employed attorney in Richmond and in private practice in Hagerstown. He also served as a part-time public defender in Henry County and assisted in public defender cases in Wayne, Randolph, and Fayette counties. Cox earned his undergraduate degree from Ball State University and his law degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He volunteers in his community through his church and as a coach in youth sports.

Awards & Honors

Headshot of Chief Justice Loretta Rush.

Chief Justice Rush Honored with Nancy A. Maloley Outstanding Public Service Award

Chief Justice Loretta Rush has been selected as the 2024 Nancy A. Maloley Outstanding Public Service Award recipient. The award was presented at the 34th Lugar Series Luncheon on February 27 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. It recognizes Hoosier women who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to serving the public through appointed governmental or political office.


Judge Elizabeth Tavitas' headshot.

Judge Tavitas Recognized as Courageous Judge Honoree

The National Judicial College has named Court of Appeals Judge Elizabeth Tavitas as one of their “60 Courageous Judges” honorees. Each year, NJC alumni and staff select sixty judges “from present and past, from courts in the United States and abroad, who have demonstrated courage in upholding the rule of law and providing justice for all.” Congratulations, Judge Tavitas!

Events

International Women Judges Visit the Statehouse

On October 4, an international group of women serving in their respective judiciaries visited the Statehouse as a precursor to the 45th annual conference of the National Association of Women Judges. Over 40 women from all around the world visited the Marion County Community Justice Campus and toured the Supreme Court Law Library before attending an oral argument heard by the Court of Appeals of Indiana. Chief Justice Loretta Rush delivered remarks in the Supreme Court Courtroom before the argument began, and the panel of judges answered questions after it concluded.


Justice Slaughter and Judge Granger Speak at Civil Legal Assistance Conference

On October 26, the Indiana Bar Foundation and the Coalition for Court Access hosted a Civil Legal Assistance Conference at the Ivy Tech Conference Center. Justice Geoffrey Slaughter and Judge Maria Granger delivered an opening plenary to kick off a full day of sessions on topics including civil protection orders, expungement, high conflict family law cases, new proposed Guardian ad litem guidelines, and micro-resilience. Professor Victor Quintanilla also presented the results of an Indiana University study examining the experiences of unrepresented litigants attending remote civil court hearings.

Judge Maria Granger (Floyd County) speaks at the Civil Legal Assistance Conference.
Justice Christopher Goff stands with We The People civics education champions.

Justice Goff Speaks at We The People State Championship Competition

Justice Christopher Goff delivered the keynote address at the 2023 State Championship Event for the We The People civics education program. Hamilton Southeastern High School was awarded the championship, with Fishers High School and Plainfield High School finishing second and third, respectively. Administered by the Indiana Bar Foundation, the We The People competition simulates congressional hearings to explore aspects of the United States Constitution. Justice Goff congratulated the competitors on their dedication and achievements while encouraging them to continue their involvement in civics.

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