Awards & Achievements
Chief Justice Rush Inducted into Warren E. Burger Society
Chief Justice Loretta H. Rush was one of four state court leaders inducted into the National Center for State Courts’ Warren E. Burger Society for 2025. At a celebration in Washington, D.C., the 2025 inductees were recognized for their exemplary commitment to improving the administration of justice. Each of the inductees has demonstrated extraordinary contributions of their time and talent, as well as strong involvement in the NCSC.
CASA Awards
Several awards were presented during the CASA Conference, held in French Lick on September 13, 2025. The awards presented were:
- Volunteer of the Year – Cynthia York, Monroe County
- Director of the Year – Hilary Laughner, Tippecanoe County
- Staff Member of the Year – Melissa Borries, Clark County
David Steward Elected to CITOC Board
David Steward, the IT Director for the Office of Judicial Administration, has been elected to the Executive Board of the Court Information Technology Officer Consortium. This national organization of senior-level court IT professionals was chartered in 2005 and facilitates information sharing, education, and collaboration among its members. CITOC acts as a national leader for promoting information technology policy in the courts and supports efforts to improve court management and administration by implementing appropriate technology.
Judicial Appointments
Howard County
Governor Mike Braun appointed Joshua McMahan to Howard Superior Court 1. McMahan received his Juris Doctor from IU McKinney School of Law as well as his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ball State University. He previously served as a deputy prosecuting attorney in the Howard County Major Felony Division, handling numerous major felony jury trials. McMahan was a partner at Butcher, Ball, Lowry, McMahan & McClelland for 13 years.
Tippecanoe County
Governor Braun appointed Kevin McDaniel to Tippecanoe Superior Court 1. McDaniel received his Juris Doctor from Valparaiso School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University. He has tried approximately 70 jury trials during his 15 years as a deputy prosecuting attorney in both Tippecanoe and Vanderburgh counties.
Elliott McKinnis has been appointed by Governor Braun to the West Lafayette City Court. McKinnis received his Juris Doctor from IU McKinney School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from Ball State University. McKinnis has served in Tippecanoe County as both deputy prosecuting attorney and as deputy public defender. He will continue to work in his current position at Cook Research Incorporated while also serving as a part-time judge.
Events
Statehood Day Brings Students to Supreme Court Courtroom
On December 11, around 50 fourth grade students visited the Indiana Supreme Court Courtroom as part of an annual celebration marking the anniversary of Indiana’s admission to the Union. The students learned about the courtroom, had the opportunity to try on judges’ robes, and gave thoughtful responses to the question: “What does justice mean to you?” Before making their way to the courtroom, the students had the opportunity to hear from Chief Justice Rush, who delivered inspirational remarks as part of a formal ceremony with Governor Braun in the Statehouse atrium.
Noteworthy
Little Free Courthouse Library Initiative Continues to Grow
Court of Appeals Judge Dana Kenworthy recently stopped by the Decatur Township little free courthouse library to drop off a donation of books. In doing so, she continued to support an initiative to bring little free libraries to Hoosier courthouses that was started by a group of Court of Appeals judges and Supreme Court justices in 2024.
As reported in a previous issue of Indiana Court Times, 14 little free libraries had been opened in Indiana county courthouses as of August 2025. That number has now grown to an impressive 39 libraries opened in 36 counties across the state. For more information about starting a free library in your courthouse or making donations to established libraries, contact [email protected].