Chief Justice Rush speaks at Brennan Center for Justice
Chief Justice Loretta Rush was among the judges, academics, and lawyers who participated in “The Promise and Limits of State Constitutions,” a two-day event hosted by the Brennan Center for Justice, State Court Report, and the New York University Law Review. Chief Justice Rush spoke on “Interpretive Methods in State Constitutional Law,” which was one of seven panels considering state constitutions and the courts that interpret them.
Chief Justice celebrates Women’s History Month
Chief Justice Rush delivered the keynote address for the 2024 Women’s History Month celebration hosted by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana and the Indianapolis Bar Association. On March 13, she presented “Amazing Grace: The Ascension of Hoosier Women in the Law,” in which she chronicled the triumphs of women pursuing and defending their rights through the law.
Judges Pauli and Schutte speak at Evansville Career Day
Judges Celia Pauli and Gary Schutte visited Memorial High School in Evansville to speak at a Career Day event. Speaking to students in their sophomore through senior years, the judges shared experiences and answered questions about a variety of careers in the legal field.
Judge Scheele delivers guest lecture at University of Denver
Judge Stephen Scheele returned to his undergraduate alma mater, the University of Denver, to deliver a guest lecture to approximately 30 undergraduate criminology and sociology students enrolled in a class on the American prison system. He discussed some practical applications of their coursework and shared stories and observations from his experience lawyering within state and federal criminal justice systems.
Judge Gardner speaks at Adidas Indy and Martin University
Judge Ryan Gardner participated in a Black History program at Adidas Indy, sharing stories about his journey to the bench, challenges for Black judges, and his thoughts on the state of contemporary youth. He also participated in a panel during Martin University’s “Voices Ignited” event. Presented by community stakeholders New B.O.Y. and Inner Beauty, Inc., the panel took place during February’s All-Star week and considered youth violence, education, family, and related issues.
Judicial officers participate in Clark County C.A.R.E.S. Drug Facts Week
Each year at the end of January, Clark County C.A.R.E.S. (Community Addiction Resources, Education & Support) holds free events as part of Drug Facts Week, a week-long program intended to raise addiction awareness in southern Indiana. Clark County judicial officers were involved in several of the sessions. Approximately 100 attendees heard Magistrate Lisa Reger give an update on the Clark County Family Recovery Court in a State of the State panel discussion moderated by Judge Brad Jacobs.
Other events included further panel discussions, an annual dinner, a Lip Sync Battle, and Family Day, a prevention-oriented day of activities for which several Clark County judges and other community leaders donated door prizes of bicycles, scooters, and helmets. The week closed with a Night of Remembrance held at Jeffersonville’s Big 4 Bridge, where Judge Jacobs read the names of individuals lost to substance use disorder during an emotional candlelight vigil.
Court podcast celebrates 20th episode
Allen County Courts are devoting time to sharing information about the courts through a series of podcasts. Court Executive John McGauley serves as producer and host of INSession: Inside the Allen County Courts. The 20th episode, released on February 18, is an introduction to Small Claims Court explaining how it works, what litigants can accomplish there, and how to prepare for court. Other topics that have been covered in the podcast’s 30-40 minute episodes include domestic violence court, rethinking bail, and estates.
Judicial Appointments
Grant County
Joshua Howell appointed to Marion City Court
Governor Eric Holcomb announced Joshua Howell as his appointment to the Marion City Court, filling the vacancy left by the resignation of Judge Michael Hotz. Howell was a deputy prosecuting attorney for Grant County. He began working in a private practice immediately following law school, while also serving as corporation counsel for the city of Marion and as a part-time deputy prosecuting attorney. Howell earned his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and his law degree from Indiana University McKinney School of Law.
Marion County
Richard Blaiklock and Magistrate Marie Kern appointed to Marion Superior Court
Governor Holcomb announced Richard (Rich) Blaiklock and Magistrate Marie Kern as his appointments to the Marion Superior Court. They will fill the vacancies left by the passing of Judge Shatrese Flowers and the retirement of Judge Heather Welch.
Rich Blaiklock was a managing partner at Lewis and Wagner, following his time as an associate at Ice Miller. Before entering law school, he was a juvenile probation officer in Marion County. Blaiklock emigrated from England in 1978 and became a U.S. citizen in 1991. He earned an undergraduate degree from Hanover College and a law degree from Indiana University McKinney School of Law.
Magistrate Kern served in the Family Division of the Marion County Superior Court. Following law school, she joined the Marion County Public Defender Agency for three years, after which she continued taking public defender felony cases part-time while in private practice. Kern earned an undergraduate degree from Indiana University and a law degree from Indiana University McKinney School of Law.
St. Joseph and Elkhart counties
Judges Brisco and Lund confirmed to U.S. District Court
St. Joseph Superior Court Judge Cristal Brisco and Elkhart Superior Court Judge Gretchen Lund were appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana. Both were confirmed by full Senate votes in early January 2024, filling the vacancies left by Judges Theresa Springmann and Jon DeGuilio, respectively. Judge Brisco formerly presided in St. Joseph Superior Court 4, where she also served as a commercial court judge. She was appointed to the bench in 2021, having previously served as a magistrate judge in St. Joseph Circuit Court since 2018. Judge Lund took the bench in Elkhart Superior Court 4 in 2015 after serving as a judge of the Goshen City Court since 2008.