IndyBar: Bar Leader Series Class XIV Demonstrates Leadership in Action

Throughout the IndyBar’s Bar Leader Series, the importance of motivating, inspiring and leading for the benefit of the profession and community is emphasized at every turn. An integral component of the series is a community service project, which empowers series participants to turn their ideas and passions into fully-formed services, programs, resources and/or events that benefit the community.

During their retreat in September 2016, Class XIV participants developed broad topics for their projects and formed teams based on their observations of community needs and their individual interests. Each team was charged with conceiving an idea for their project and developing and executing it during the series. Participants were expected to donate 10 to 15 hours each to the project, and the projects were to follow the mission of the Indianapolis Bar Foundation: to advance justice and lead positive change in Indianapolis through philanthropy, education and service.

Series participants clearly took this directive to heart, sharing impactful community service projects at the Class XIV Celebration, held May 16. The celebration marked the culmination of this year’s series.

Congratulations to the talented, ambitious members of Class XIV!

Bar Leader Series Class XIV Projects

Team 1:

Christina Bruno, Bose McKinney & Evans LLP; Melissa Keyes, Indiana Disability Rights; Sara McClammer, Bennett & McClammer LLP; Amanda Mulroony, Hoover Hull Turner LLP; Chris Tucker, Cummins, Inc.

Project: Create social stories regarding court and legal issues for kids with special needs to help them understand concepts and processes in the law.

Collaborating Entity: Indiana Disability Rights

Team 2:

Jeremy Gustrowsky, Woodard Emhardt Moriarty McNett & Henry LLP; Julian Harrell, Faegre Baker Daniels LLP; Ellen Meyers, Indiana Department of Child Services; Carolina Rashidfarokhi, Pedcor Investments LLC; Marc Stearns, Drewry Simmons Vornehm LLP

Project: Create informational resources for renters in the Indianapolis community.

Collaborating Entity: La Plaza

Team 3:

Jenai Brackett, Frost Brown Todd LLC; Brandon Ehrie, Lewis Wagner LLP; Ian Goodman, Cantrell Strenski & Mehringer LLP; Zach Jacob, Hall Render Killian Heath & Lyman PC; Colin Koons, Cox & Koons LLP

Project: Teach children about nutrition and healthy eating with hands-on culinary skills.

Collaborating Entities: Patachou Foundation, Legacy Center, Dream Alive and Harshman Middle School/Indianapolis Public Schools.

Team 4:

John Bishop, Cohen Garelick & Glazier PC; Daniel Cicchini, Marion County Prosecutor’s Office; Joe Delehanty, Gutwein Law; John Gallo, Marion County Public Defender Agency; Jennifer Hostetter, Broyles Kight & Ricafort PC

Project: Create a legal advice program and resources for the Reuben Engagement Center.

Collaborating Entities: Reuben Engagement Center and Marion County Courts

Interested in the Bar Leader Series experience? Applications are being accepted now for Class XV, which will begin in September 2017 and run through May 2018. Details, application instructions and scholarship information can be found online at indybar.org/barleaderseries. Applications are due June 19, 2017. •