IndyBar: 2024 Indianapolis Bar Foundation Installation Remarks

On Jan. 25, the Indianapolis Bar Foundation celebrated the installation of its 28th president, Travis N. Jensen. The following is the address he gave to the nearly 200 members, family, and friends in attendance.

I am grateful to be a part of the IndyBar Foundation, and this is my moment to thank some people who make it possible. First, thank you Bob Johnson for the kind words of introduction. Bob interviewed me for a summer clerk position at the end of my first year of law school 28 years ago and has been my friend and mentor ever since — from suggesting the topic of my law school note to training me in plaintiffs’ work to supporting my IndyBar Foundation activities in every sense of the word. As you all know, you can’t be deeply involved in any community organization without the support of your partners because of the time it takes. Bob has fully supported me and the foundation every step of the way. Thank you for everything, Bob. Bob has, of course, introduced me to many of his friends over the years. Lucky for me, one of those was Judge Altice. I have enjoyed getting to know Judge Bob over the years, including through the Sagamore Inn of Court and spontaneous chats at events like Bench Bar. Judge Altice, thank you for taking the time to administer the oath to me and the foundation board today. It’s an honor to have you with us.

As the charitable arm of the IndyBar, the foundation advances justice and leads positive change in Indianapolis through philanthropy, education and service. We do this, as you all know, with a combination of fundraising activities, grants, scholarships, CLE funding, pro bono legal services and more. Through hard work and dedication, our prior foundation boards have achieved substantial growth, resulting now in annual fundraising income of a half million dollars. This year, in keeping with this growth and presence, the IndyBar Foundation will get its own independent website. This will help improve the strength and breadth of our voice in furtherance of our mission. We will continue our longstanding programs and events, including our Fellows program, our golf outing and our gala dinner — while always striving to improve them with fresh ideas — as well as our newer creations like Block Party, Day of Giving and Talent Show.

Now, we will do all the things I just mentioned and more again in 2024 because we have three key groups on our team. First, we have an extraordinary group of returning board members. Thank you, each and every one of you, for the priceless time and talents you have given already, and will give again this year. Second, we have a group of brilliant new board members. Thank you for joining us. We look forward to your ideas, your energy, and all that you will give this year! And, third, as always, we have the BEST staff in the history of bar associations, foundations or any other organizations for that matter! They are universally acknowledged as the gold standard, and we are beyond lucky to have them. I look forward to working with all of you this year as a team from start to finish. I also look forward to working with our association president, Dave Duncan, and I’m proud that we both come from the same high school in the same hometown of Lafayette.

The people who are drawn to serve this organization are the kind of people we all want in our lives. This starts with our staff. Julie Armstrong, Kari Hartman, Deneen Fitzgerald, Bryssa Helton and the entire IndyBar staff: Thank you for everything you do for all of us, and thank you, personally, for everything you have done for me.

Next, I want to give a special thanks to Rebecca Geyer, Lee Christie, Adam Christensen, Raegan Gibson, Elisabeth Edwards, Bri Clark and Biz Walker. You have all played a very important role in my years with the IndyBar Foundation. Thank you for supporting me, for taking my calls and answering my texts no matter the question, and for sharing your experience and wisdom. I appreciate each of you very much.

Sitting at the table with Bob and my family are Caroline Corbett and Janet Wallace. Caroline is my paralegal, and we have worked together since 2001. Janet is a lawyer in our office, and we have worked together since 2006, when she was a high school intern. Caroline and Janet, I simply could not do anything that I do, including this, without you. Thank you for your dedication to our clients and your limitless support of me. You are the best. Also at the table is Michael Devor, who will pass the bar this July — because he is signed up for the IndyBar Review Course, APEX — and begin his legal career with us. He is going to be an outstanding lawyer and leader, and I look forward to getting him involved with IndyBar right away. Thank you for joining us, Michael.

Finally, of course, the biggest thanks to my wife, Susan, and my daughters, Joely and Layla. Susan, thank you for going out on that first date with me in 1986. Thanks for making the trip from D.C. to New York when I was first sworn in as a lawyer, and for making the somewhat shorter trip this morning. Thank you for being with me for every significant event in my life, and for your unwavering support for everything I do. I love you. Joely and Layla: Thanks for agreeing to miss school to be with me this morning. I have done many things in my life so far, but my absolute favorite is being your dad. You are amazing young women, and every single day you give me so much hope for our future. I love you both beyond measure.

Everyone, thank you for this opportunity. And remember: The best way to increase your contribution to the IndyBar Foundation … is to increase your contribution to the IndyBar Foundation! Another way, however, is to continue your contribution while you tell more friends and colleagues about why you support the foundation and how good it feels. And get them involved with us. They will thank you for it, and so will we. I hope the 2024 IndyBar Foundation brings you more fun than ever as we carry out our essential and meaningful work.•