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What does it mean to be a luminary? A quick internet search will show a luminary is a person who inspires or influences others, within a specified field. In the legal community, a luminary is an individual with endless passion for local bar and the law. They are someone who has dedicated their career and life to positively influencing our broader communities as well. The Indianapolis Bar Association and Foundation are pleased to bestow the bar’s highest honor and lifetime achievement award to a true luminary and leader of the profession, John C. Trimble of Lewis Wagner LLP.
IndyBar staff recently sat down with Trimble to reflect on his career, his passion for our community, and his contributions to the Indianapolis legal scene.
What is the legacy you hope to leave in law?
“You know, I haven’t spent a lot of time thinking about a legacy in law, but, I suppose what I hope people will remember me for is always trying to lift up the legal profession. Through civility in practice, support and leadership in bar associations, through encouraging promising young people to come into our profession, and then through mentoring and teaching those talents as they entered the profession and pursued their careers. To sum it up, to do what I can to live up to the profession at all times in the eyes of the public.”
What advice would you give to the next generation of lawyers?
“This will sound kind of silly, but there’s an old saying that dogs don’t bark at parked cars. And that means that, if you’re going to be successful at law, you have to get out from behind your desk and go meet people. Get the dogs barking. The best way to do that is to join a bar association the minute you become a lawyer. Get active and be persistently involved in the bar association for your entire career. You will be uplifted by all of the friendships you make, the education you’ll receive; I just can’t say enough about the importance of being involved in the bar association.”
Who has been the most influential person in your life?
“The most influential person in my life, aside from my parents, has been Robert Wagner. I met him when I was a first-year law student. He took a chance and hired a first-year law student for a summer job and then took me to depositions and court appearances. I stayed with a firm and eventually became a partner there, and now I’m a senior partner! The way I practice law, my approach to the profession, my integrity; all those things were wrapped up in. Everything I learned from Robert Wagner helped mold me to be a lawyer. And I will say this, literally the first summer I went ot work for him, he made sure I signed up to play in the Indianapolis Bar Association’s Lawyer’s Softball League. By the time I was out of law school, I already knew dozens of lawyers and judges because I’d been involved in the bar association softball league. His influence started early!”
What is your proudest accomplishment or greatest fulfillment?
“My proudest accomplishment is pretty simple: 43 years of happy marriage to my wife, Anne, and I have two daughters who are married with husbands and grandchildren who I adore. I was able, through my career, to make sure that I never missed a birthday lunch or tennis match or band recital or parent teacher conference. I was able to maintain friendship with my kids for all the years they were in school until today. That’s what stands out to me.”
Why are you passionate about law or your career?
“I’m passionate about law and my career because it is so darn interesting! I’ve always loved the variety of subjects I’ve had a chance to deal with, as well as people who I’ve met and the travel I’ve enjoyed. I’ve visited 49 of the 50 states through law in one fashion or another. And uh, it’s just been fun. You’ve heard the old saying: if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. Well, I’ve never worked a day in my life because it’s just too much fun.”
Trimble will be presented with the Luminary Award on November 20 at the Meridian Hills Country Club at the IndyBar’s annual Recognition Breakfast. Registration is available at www.indybar.org/recognition. A video of the complete interview with Trimble will be posted to IndyBar’s website and social platforms following the breakfast celebration.•
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