Judicial Appointments
Mary DeBoer appointed to Court of Appeals
Governor Eric Holcomb announced Porter County Circuit Court Judge Mary DeBoer as the newest addition to the Court of Appeals. She replaces retired Judge Patricia Riley.
Judge DeBoer studied criminal justice & political science at Western Michigan University before receiving her law degree from Valparaiso Law School. Before her time on the court, DeBoer served in various roles: adjunct instructor at Brown Mackie College; chief probation officer and magistrate in Starke County; associate attorney in private practice; and deputy prosecutor in Porter County and Starke County.
During her time in Porter County, Judge DeBoer handled civil and criminal cases and dedicated much of her time to working with juveniles. She presided over juvenile & family drug court, truancy court, and transformation (mental health) court. She was a leader of the Alternative Dispute Resolution program and the local Domestic Violence Committee.
Governor Holcomb commented proudly that DeBoer “is a person of immense integrity, intellect, and energy [whose] commitment to the law and justice will serve her fellow Hoosiers with distinction as she joins the second highest bench in Indiana.”
Grant County
Governor Holcomb announced Nathan Meeks as his appointment to the Grant County Superior Court #2. He will replace Judge Bridget Foust who stepped down in July. Meeks has been practicing law in Marion since 2014 and served as deputy prosecutor in Grant County from 2017-2019. He then returned to private practice while working as a part-time public defender and as the attorney for Grant County. Meeks also serves as president of the Grant County Bar Association. Meeks earned his undergraduate degree from Ball State University and a law degree from Indiana University McKinney School of Law.
Marshall County
Governor Holcomb announced Janette Surrisi as his appointment to the Marshall County Circuit Court, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Curt Palmer. Surrisi worked as a private practitioner since 2017. She was appointed to the Indiana Commission for Continuing Legal Education and serves on the board of directors for Culver Community Youth Center Foundation, Marshall County United Way, and Marshall County Lifelong Learning Network. Surrisi earned her undergraduate degree from Indiana University South Bend and a law degree from Valparaiso University of Law.
Governor Holcomb announced Matthew T. Aldridge to the Marshall County Superior Court. Aldridge is set to replace Judge Dean Colvin, who retired in late September. Matthew Aldridge studied at Western Michigan University for his undergraduate degree before relocating to Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law to receive his law degree. Since 2021, Aldridge has been a deputy prosecutor in Marshall County; prior, he served as a deputy prosecutor in Tippecanoe County.
Awards and Achievements
New Agency Directors
In fall 2024, the Indiana Office of Judicial Administration welcomed Catheryne Pully as the new Executive Director for the Office of Court Services and Heather Falks as the new General Counsel.
Catheryne Pully previously worked as the Director of Outreach and Career Enrichment at the Indiana State Bar Association. She started there in 2010 after working as an administrative law judge at the Indiana Department of Child Services. She developed the ISBA’s Leadership Development Academy and helped create its award-winning Open Conversations program. After law school, Catheryne was commissioned into the United States Navy as a Judge Advocate General Corps Officer. In her five years on active duty, she served as a JAG in Texas and Washington, D.C., and was deployed to Iraq. She continues to serve in the Navy JAG Corps as a reservist and was recently promoted to Captain. Catheryne brings a connection to Indiana’s organized bar that will be tremendously valuable in our continuing efforts to improve Indiana’s legal system and support the courts of this state.
Heather Falks joined OJA in 2019 as the agency’s employment attorney and was promoted in 2021 to Deputy General Counsel. She has worked extensively on employment law issues, including ADA and FMLA matters, both internally at OJA and at the local level with county courts. Heather also supports our cadre of senior judges. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she served as OJA’s expert on ever-changing health and safety standards for the workplace. Before joining OJA, Heather was an accomplished private practitioner specializing in employment law. A truly dynamic lawyer who excels at her craft, Heather will supervise a team of legal professionals providing legal counsel and support to the Supreme Court and all OJA agencies.
Awards Presented at Annual Judicial Meeting
The following recognitions were awarded at the annual meeting of judges:
24-year Judicial Officer Service Awards
- Chief Judge Robert Altice, Jr., Court of Appeals of Indiana
- Judge David Avery, Allen County
- Judge Kevin Barton, Johnson County
- Judge Natalie Bokota, Lake County
- Judge Robert Freese, Hendricks County
- Judge Matthew Hanson, Morgan County
- Judge Brian Hutchison, Jay County
- Judge Jeryl Leach, Newton County
- Judge Mary Margaret Lloyd, Vanderburgh County
- Judge Michael Morrissey, Tippecanoe County
- Judge Mark Stoner, Marion County
The Indiana Judges Association thanked members of the executive and legislative branches and noted appreciation for judges and press working to share accurate information about the courts.
IJA Lifetime Achievement Award
- Governor Eric Holcomb
Champions of Justice Awards
- Senator Aaron Freeman
- Representative Chris Jeter
- Joe Heerens, Sharon Jackson, and Michael Nossett, Office of Governor Eric Holcomb
Media Relations Awards
- Judge Mark Stoner, Marion County
- Kara Kenney and Brad Forestal, WRTV
Awards Presented at CASA Conference
Several awards were presented during this year’s CASA Conference, held in Fort Wayne on September 14. About 500 staff and volunteers attended. The awards presented were:
Melissa Herzner
Paula Kern
Myra Brown
Nancarrow receives Clerk of the Year Award
Allen County Clerk Chris Nancarrow was named Outstanding Clerk of the Year by the Association of Indiana Counties. Nancarrow accepted the award and commented that it should be the Clerk’s Office award of the year—giving credit to his team. Nancarrow earned his law degree from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law and was chief deputy clerk prior to beginning his two terms as Allen County clerk.
Service Recognition for Mentoring Program
Office of Judicial Administration Innovation Director Bob Rath and his Little Brother Xavier were named a 2024 Match of the Year by Big Brothers Big Sisters. The duo was first paired in 2020 during the COVID pandemic. Rath continues to serve as a positive influence for Xavier, bringing him out of his shell and inspiring him to achieve his dreams by attending professional programs and participating in fun activities alongside him.
Government Experience Project Awards
Two Indiana counties received Government Experience Project Awards from the Center for Digital Government. The awards commemorate digital projects that have strengthened government services and enhanced civic engagement, accessibility, and efficacy. The Marion Superior Court and Information Services Agency was recognized for its use of technology such as automated smart screen docketing, AI-powered speech to text technology, and productivity-enhancing generative AI tools to streamline court operations. Hamilton County tied for fifth place in the Overall County Government Experience category.
Public Defenders and Prosecutors benefit from John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program
The Indiana Supreme Court has partnered with the state’s Public Defender Council and Prosecuting Attorneys Council to administer the John R. Justice Loan Grant Repayment Program. From a pool of 81 applicants, six public defenders and six prosecutors have been awarded funds providing for the payment of eligible educational loans. The awardees were public defenders Amber Garrison, Ashley Dyer, Bryan Abell, Farrah Pruskauer, Katrina Dyson, and Nicholas Moll, as well as prosecutors Abeni Morgan, Audrey Beckerle, Hannah Kochanek, Joshua McDowell, Melinda Knox, and Spencer Patterson.
IOCT Receives Federal Grant
The Indiana Office of Court Technology has received a $26,000 Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation Grant. The grant is awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These funds are offered to help improve state commercial driver licensing programs that reduce wait times, implement regulatory requirements, ensure conviction and disqualification data is electronically exchanged, and/or combat human trafficking, among other achievements. IOCT received the grant for two projects that will enhance CDL conviction data, both of which will update existing systems.
Events
Book Donation
Former Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard made a generous donation of 85 books from his office to the Supreme Court Law Library. They included a book on the history of English common law dating back to 1716, a copy of American Boyhood by Indiana Judge Horace P. Biddle, and works signed by such notable figures as Judge Marion T. Bennett and journalist Bill Kurtis. These books have been cataloged and integrated into the library collection, with a special note identifying Chief Justice Shepard as a previous owner.
Future Presidents of America Hear from Judge
This summer, Marion County Judge Ryan K. Gardner gave his annual presentation to members of the Benjamin Harrison House’s Future Presidents of America program. This leadership camp, limited to the twenty best applicants, serves to reveal and cultivate traits in youth that will form them into the great leaders of tomorrow. Gardner also serves as a mentor for the program.
Hammond Courthouse welcomes Munster’s fourth graders
Lake County Judges Aleksandra Dimitrijevic, Stephen Scheele, and John Sedia hosted fourth graders from two Munster elementary schools. The students were given the opportunity to conduct mock trials and play the different roles typically seen in a courtroom. Officers from the Munster and Hammond Police Departments also discussed what their jobs entailed with the students.
Legislative Changes
Commission on Court Appointed Attorneys
As of July 1, 2024, based on provisions in SEA 179 (2024), the Indiana Public Defender Commission’s name was changed to the Indiana Commission on Court Appointed Attorneys. This change was made to eliminate confusion with the Indiana Public Defender Council and the State Public Defender. The commission sets standards and guidelines for public defense and reimburses counties 50% of capital and up to 40% of noncapital public defense expenses in exchange for compliance with standards. SEA 179 authorized the commission to launch a misdemeanor reimbursement pilot program starting July 1, 2025. See more information at ccaa.in.gov or visit in person at their new location: 101 West Ohio Street, Suite 1800 in Indianapolis.