Continuing a legacy: Brady settles in as Northern District Court chief judge

One thing most people agree on when talking about Holly Brady is her strong work ethic, both now as a judge and when she worked in private practice.

The Fort Wayne native, whose work ethic has propelled her to her current role as chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, always knew she wanted to be a lawyer.

Brady studied English and political science and had a minor in business as an undergraduate at Indiana University in Bloomington before heading to Valparaiso University for law school.

She was nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana by former President Donald Trump with support from former U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly, a Democrat, and U.S. Sen. Todd Young, a Republican, although Donnelly had left office by the time her nomination reached a vote.

After four years, Brady has now become the court’s chief judge. She succeeded now-Senior Judge Jon DeGuilio as chief in July.

Brady said her previous experience as a law firm managing partner has helped her in her new role.

“I became familiar with the challenges of balancing your obligations as an attorney and the administrative tasks,” Brady said of her time as managing partner at Haller & Colvin P.C. “That’s kind of like the chief judge role now — trying to balance my obligations as a judge while also managing all the administrative tasks that go along with running a court.”

As for her plans for the Northern District, Brady said she simply wants to continue on the same trajectory as her predecessors: “Just serving our community, continuing to treat all the litigants with respect, and continuing to have a positive morale within our district and our employees. Just focusing on a positive culture for the employees that serve with the court and the community.”

The road to the bench

Brady officially became a judge in the Northern District in April 2019, leaving behind a decadeslong career in private practice.

She said it was a difficult decision to leave her practice and clients, but she really enjoys being a judge.

“I enjoyed private practice, but I truly love what I do. I mean, it’s really, honestly, the greatest job in the world. Every day is interesting and every day is different,” Brady said.

One thing she has learned in her four years on the bench — or at least was rather surprised about when she became judge — was how different “the other side” is and all the things that happen behind the scenes.

“All three sides — the plaintiff, the defendant and the court — are all working very hard, but their jobs are so different. They’re all working on the same goal of reaching — well, at least the court’s goal is to reach the right answer,” Brady said.

She added that her staff and clerks have really been supportive and helpful to her during time as judge and the transition to chief judge.

“(Clerk) Chanda (Berta) is an incredible assistant in the administration of the court, but being supported by an incredible chambers staff — which includes my clerks, Andrew Teel, Lori Kuchmay and Lukas Stoutenour, judicial assistant Lindsay Franklin, courtroom deputy Carrie Reed and court reporter Tina Gallucci — allows me to balance the demands of serving as the chief judge while handling a very full and active docket. They deserve all the attention,” the judge said.

Brady is one of four judges based at the court’s Fort Wayne location, along with Senior Judge William C. Lee and Magistrate Judges Susan L. Collins and Paul R. Cherry.

Cherry recalled when Brady first became a judge and asked to meet with him to learn how things worked.

“She was very interested in learning everything she could and, in my opinion, went over and above maybe what some other new judges do in terms of just trying to learn everything about the work,” Cherry recalled. “She asked me if I would meet with her and explain a lot of things about how the day-to-day business of the court runs and how the criminal side runs. And so we had a big meeting and then some follow-up conversations about that. She really, really put a lot of effort into trying to learn everything she could and be the best that she can.”

Cherry opined that the Northern District has a long, uninterrupted history of good chief judges. Aside from DeGuilio, Brady’s predecessors in the last 20 years include Senior Judge Theresa Springmann, Judge Philip P. Simon and Senior Judge Robert L. Miller Jr.

Cherry said he’s confident Brady will continue their legacy.

Private practice impact

Sarah Schreiber, partner at Haller & Colvin, will always remember when she and Brady traveled to Bloomington to take depositions in a complicated exemption case.

“I was a young practitioner at the time and had not taken many depositions, and to observe her was amazing,” Schreiber said. “She was on fire with an incredibly difficult deponent. She kept her cool, she was calm but firm and took one of the greatest depositions I’ve ever seen. I learned so much that day.”

Brady was a mentor to Schreiber when she was managing partner at Haller & Colvin.

“Her work ethic and devotion to the success of the firm, the practice of law in its entirety and her family were likely unparalleled. She did all of this with an ease that I’ve rarely seen in the practice of law,” Schreiber said.

She added that Brady showed her patience, praise and empathy when she needed it most. Also, Schreiber said she never expected her to leave practice.

“She took such pride in the practice of law and was such a great client advocate that I never anticipated her leaving that role,” Schreiber said.

Mark GiaQuinta, another attorney at Haller & Colvin, said he first met Brady when they were doing depositions. A few months later, she reached out to inquire about joining Haller & Colvin.

“I think it was one of the best hiring decisions we’ve ever made,” GiaQuinta said.

GiaQuinta said he misses practicing with Brady, describing her as having the perfect amount of creativity, attention to detail and respect for people that made her such a great person and litigator.

Still, GiaQuinta, like Schreiber, said he wasn’t surprised when Brady was appointed judge on the Northern District.

“It’s no surprise she is ascending the ladder of her field,” he said.•