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Dozens gathered Friday for the Indiana Court of Appeals’ Judge Stephen Scheele’s robing ceremony in the Indiana Supreme Court Courtroom.
While Scheele, the appellate court’s newest judge, was privately sworn in in January, family, friends, Boy Scouts, trial court judges, appellate judges and justices watched as he took the oath and donned the black robe.
“I am so honored to have everybody’s encouragement as I step into this next chapter of our personal lives and my professional life,” Scheele.
Patrick Price, general counsel for Gov. Mike Braun, spoke on behalf of the governor.
“It’s our privilege to celebrate Judge Scheele. Not just as a remarkable recognition of his achievements, but also as a celebration of the values he’s consistently embodied throughout his career, intelligence, fairness and above all, the deep empathy for the people he serves,” Price said. “For those of you who know him and those of you who may have just met him today, we can agree on many things about Judge Scheele but especially this, his intellectual curiosity is obvious and it’s contagious whether handling complex matters across a range of areas in law, both as an advocate and as a judge, studying in Germany, keeping bees, along with his beloved scouts.”
Price noted an interaction Scheele had with an intern in the governor’s office just before the State of the State address in January.
Scheele talked with the intern from Northwest Indiana for the entire reception.
The conversation surprised the intern, who was grateful for the kindness shown.
“Your career has already been an incredible testament to your abilities, your values and your dedication to justice,” Price said. “We look forward to seeing the difference you’ll make in your next role and many years of service that you have.”
Holcomb made a total of 120 judicial appointments during his eight years in office, with seven of the 15 appellate judges being Gov. Eric Holcomb appointees.
Scheele was appointed by Holcomb in December just before Braun took office in January. Joe Heerens, who served as Holcomb’s general counsel, spoke on his behalf.
“He felt it was one of the most important things that a governor can do in service to our state and its people,” Heerens said on Holcomb making judicial appointments.
Heerens described Scheele as having “boundless energy and enthusiasm.”
“Those qualities have a positive effect on people around him, which for me, is inspiring, motivating and refreshing, in that in other ways that he makes people around him better, and the importance and benefits of that kind of that kind of wonderful impact simply cannot be overstated,” Heerens said.
Scheele has been appointed to the bench by Holcomb twice.
The first time was in 2019 to the Lake Superior Court bench.
Lake Superior Court Magistrate Judge Timothy Ormes recalled not knowing Scheele’s first name until they passed the bar in 1997; he only knew him as Sam.
Chief Judge Robert Altice administered the oath of office to Scheele. Afterward, Scheele’s wife, Christy, and their son and daughter helped him with his robe.
“We’ve already had the pleasure of working with him for a few months, and in just a short time, he already feels like part of our family,” Altice said. “He’s an open, he’s fun, loving, collegial person and a true team player. We like him.”
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