DIVERSITY IN LAW 2023: Hon. Steven H. David

Church Church Hittle + Antrim
Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, 1982

Why did you decide to enter the legal profession?

I wanted to help people. No more complicated than that. I was the first person in my family to go to college. I grew up watching lawyer TV shows: Perry Mason and Petrocelli. Lawyers helped people. Lawyers protected the rule of law. So, I wanted to be a lawyer and do what lawyers do. I have tried to remain true to those principles.

What does “diversity, equity and inclusion” mean to you?It means EVERYONE matters. It means that a person’s race, color, ethnic origin, sexual orientation or religious beliefs do not result in them being labeled unfairly or treated differently or discriminated against because of who they are.

How did you get involved in DEI work, and why have you stuck with it?

Hopefully, I have been involved in it my entire life — at least I should have, perhaps more than I have been. I have stuck with it because circumstances necessitate it. We have come so far as a nation and as a human race that we cannot slip or fall backward. Being anti-racist is something we must all strive to be.

What would you say to someone who perceives “DEI” as a business “buzzword”?

I would say, “Thanks for being honest. You are not alone in that perception. Can I share a few stories with you? Would you like to meet someone who has suffered discrimination and hear some of their stories? They are easy to find. Would you be willing to listen to them? I know this can be a difficult subject to talk about. Trust me. It is not easy for me. I myself am a work in progress and I am learning more and more every day. Do not be afraid to have your concerns, your perceptions, your biases. Just be honest and try to be open to learning something new. Do not beat yourself up. I want you to be part of the conversations.”

What is the most significant change you’ve seen in the legal profession since you began your career?

Technology has changed dramatically, and the challenge is how to manage it and take advantage of it and not let it distract us from the relationship and people part of the practice of law, which I believe is what really makes the difference. The practice of law is no longer based upon the model of a physical office located on the courthouse square. Instead, the question is how to balance the virtues of the virtual world with the reality that this is a relationship-based profession.

On a more somber note, our legal profession is stressed, just like society. Just like everyone. We are collectively under stress and pressure to do more. Clients sometimes have unrealistic expectations. Attorneys sometimes have difficulty managing client expectations. We are asking our judges to do more, sometimes with little additional resources. It is hard on everyone. Fortunately, we are providing better and better services to attorneys and judges. Our Judges & Lawyers Assistance Program is the best in the country. And I am proud of the legal profession for doing so much excellent work in the area of DEI. Our profession, certainly including the judiciary, is taking the lead in DEI work, which I believe is critical.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Take what you do very seriously. Try not to take yourself too seriously! And do not get those two statements backward. Be humble. People will respect your title or your position, but true respect is respect for you, the person. Titles and positions cannot help you with that. You must earn respect every day.

How do you spend your free time?

Triathlons, golf, spending time with my wife and family. Being outside. Traveling. Laughing.

What was your favorite — and least favorite — class in law school?

Favorite class was torts; a close second was contracts and remedies. Least favorite class was Property I, followed by Property II. They tried to thwart my law school experience; not my best grade. In fact, my worst grade ever was in Property I, and I thought I knew it the best.

Tell us about the Open Conversations program.

It was an idea that my wife, Catheryne, and I had. It was more her idea than mine. We wanted to do something. We wanted to do something unique. We wanted to talk about race and racism. Share experiences. Listen. Learn. Understand. Believe. Become a better person. We wanted to create something that we and everyone who participated in or viewed could share and learn from. We wanted to meet people where they were and acknowledge that we all had much to learn, much to share. We did not want to be judgmental. We wanted to change the world, one person at a time. We asked our friend Angka Hinshaw if she would be a part of it. We discussed the concept of co-hosts. She eagerly accepted and has been an integral part of the program. It would not be what it has been but for Angka. She took risks. I took risks. All worthwhile. I ran the idea by Chief Justice Loretta Rush, and she said, “Of course you have my support.” We sought and got the support of the Indiana State Bar Association and subsequently got support from over 25 different law firms, legal organizations, businesses and all the Indiana law schools. Kristin Owens of the Indiana State Bar Association has been our “producer.” Catheryne was the co-creator and director until the Navy recalled her to active duty.

You are the long-time leader of the Commission on Equity and Access. What’s your biggest takeaway from your years working with that group?

There is absolutely NOTHING that dedicated people working together cannot do. Serving others doing good for others is something that all of us are capable of doing, and the results can be phenomenal. I have been extremely fortunate, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I have had to work with so many talented and caring people and see the great things that can be done with a little encouragement, collaboration, hard work, a few tears and many smiles.

Read more Diversity in Law profiles.