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If you’re looking for an escape from the daily hustle, there’s a beautiful place in southern Indiana that may be just your speed. French Lick Springs, an oasis renowned throughout history as a space where the water was healing, is the perfect weekend retreat. The Indianapolis Bar Association will be hosting the 2025 Bench Bar Conference, presented by Wilson Kehoe Winingham LLC, at The French Lick Resort and Casino from June 19-21. This conference will provide attorneys with a chance to step away from the office while offering up education and training, sure to enhance their practice.
Some of our readers may be thinking “oh yes, another Bench Bar, I’m sure this conference is the same as they’ve always been.” The Bench Bar Committee grew tired of hearing these exclamations, so they did something about it! This year’s programming has been completely revamped to focus on elements that have a major impact on the daily practice of an attorney. The educational sessions kick off with Calming Fire: Principles for Verbal De-Escalation and Understanding People, a plenary session taught by Darryl Rivers from the Public Agency Training Council. The session, sponsored by Eskew Law, guarantees useful takeaways to aid attendees in navigating tense situations with clients, in their offices, and in life. The next plenary session is taught by Kate Franke, Broadwing Legal; Candace Hill, Dell Technologies; Cari Sheehan, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP; and Seth Wilson, Adler Attorneys. Practical Applications and Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), sponsored by Lexis Nexis, will provide attendees with an in-depth examination of AI tools and how to utilize them in a practice without compromising integrity or work product. Rounding out our look at AI in the legal landscape, we’ll flow immediately into Bias and AI, led by Stephen Reynolds from McDermott Will & Emery. In our plenary session on Saturday, Ethics for Good Lawyers, Hon. Steven David from Church Church Hittle & Antrim, will interview Adrienne L. Meiring, Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission and leave attendees with simple, actionable takeaways. The session is sponsored by Dentons.
The educational opportunities don’t end there! Friday afternoon features breakout sessions for criminal law attorneys, civil practitioners, and family law attorneys. There’s also a major emphasis on wellness at the 2025 Bench Bar Conference. As an alternative option during the Friday breakout sessions, we’ll have optional wellness activities like sound baths and meditation available to attendees thanks to our wellness sponsor, Scott Legal Group. To ensure our guests have a chance to enjoy the offerings of the resort, the Bench Bar Committee decided that encouraged pool time was the way to structure the late afternoon on Friday. Attendees arriving early on Thursday can participate in a golf outing, a pickleball tournament, a yoga session, or just relax at the adults only pool. There is truly something for everyone to enjoy this year!
We heard your requests and are mixing up our evening activities, as well. Our cocktail hours and dinner events each night will be hosted outside of the hotel this year. Thursday evening, thanks to the support of Lewis Wagner LLP and Bose McKinney & Evans LLP, we’ll visit the Pete Dye Pavillion for a relaxed dining experience overlooking the rolling hills of southern Indiana. The local bluegrass band Bourbon Revival will provide entertainment for the evening while JAMS ADR provides the late-night refreshments. Then on Friday night, we’ll head out to the newest venue on the resort property – The Stables at French Lick Resort. The rustic setting offers another beautiful event space with spectacular views. Paganelli Law Group will be sponsoring our taste of the country as we enjoy a hearty meal alongside lawn games and musical entertainment. Plews Shadley Racher & Braun LLP is supporting our continued fun at The Stables as the night carries into a barn dance style reception sure to keep the laughter and connections going.
It’s not every day that lawyers and judges get to spend time together in an enjoyable atmosphere like IndyBar’s Bench Bar Conference. Don’t miss this chance to join more than 400 attorneys, judicial officers, and guests for epic CLE programing and unforgettable social events. Visit www.indybar.org/benchbar to get all the details and reserve your spot. Registration does not include your overnight accommodation. Be sure to also follow the link provided on the registration page to take advantage of a special room rate at French Lick Springs Resort available until May 20, 2025 – however rooms may sell out before that deadline, so don’t delay. Hope to see you there!•
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