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Marion County Superior Court 10 – Family Division
Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
Why did you decide to enter the legal profession?
When I was about 12 years old, I learned about Thurgood Marshall and was intrigued by his story. As a child, I learned about the bus boycott, sit-ins, and other peaceful protests to address social injustice. I was inspired by the role that Thurgood Marshall played in addressing those social injustices through the courts, and his rise to the United States Supreme Court. He looked like me and he stood as an example that we can all achieve great things despite the obstacles that we may face.
What does “diversity, equity and inclusion” mean to you?
Diversity is the range of characteristics that make each individual unique.
Equity is fairness in the implementation of policies and practices which ensures that individuals have access to the same resources, treatment and opportunities regardless of their diverse characteristics.
Inclusion is the degree to which a community or organization embraces its members and their diverse characteristics and enables them to make meaningful contributions for the betterment and growth of the whole.
Why is DEI important to the legal profession?
When the legal community resembles the community that it serves, it fosters a level of understanding and compassion from lawyers and judges that helps agents of the legal profession meet the specific needs of the community.
Why has DEI become so controversial?
Because dialogue has become a long-lost art. Everyone is doing too much yelling and not enough listening. DEI measures do not require that we agree with everything. They do promote dialogue and working together despite our differences to find common ground as we work toward a better society.
What advice would you give to young attorneys?
Always be civil. There’s an old saying that you draw more flies with honey. It is equally true that you kill more flies with honey. So, whether your goal is to encourage someone or absolutely destroy their legal position, honey works.
How do you spend your free time?
I usually spend my free time with my lovely wife, Shayla, and our children. We have three active boys who keep us very busy. If I’m not spending time with my family, I’m usually listening to music or reading a book.
What was your favorite – and least favorite – class in law school?
My favorite class in law school was Law and Social Change, which took us through the social ills of the civil rights movement, the peaceful protests and demonstrations, and the court battles that followed to promote social change. My least favorite class was Income Tax, and it’s not even close.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Litigation by its very nature is adversarial. That does not mean that we must treat one another like enemies. Even when others make it difficult, always be civil to everyone you encounter in life and in practice.
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