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With the end of the year quickly approaching, it is always a good time to reflect on the events of the past year and what there is to be grateful for.
If we take a moment to reflect on the judiciary in Indiana and the Seventh Circuit of Appeals, there is a lot to be thankful for after a busy 2024.
Between the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the Northern District of Indiana, five new judges have been appointed in the past year. Here is some information about each of them.
Northern District Court of Indiana
Three new judges were appointed to the bench this year in the Northern District Court of Indiana.
Judge Abizer Zanzi took the bench on May 24. Prior to Abizer Zanzi’s appointment, he served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Northern District of Indiana. During his time as a federal prosecutor, he investigated and prosecuted cases involving human trafficking, terrorism, cybercrime, health care fraud, and other various crimes. He also served on the Northern District’s Public Corruption Task Force as the human trafficking investigations coordinator.
Prior to becoming a prosecutor, he was a partner at Franczek Radelet P.C. and focused his practice on complex litigation matters. Zanzi received his undergraduate degree from University of Pennsylvania and his juris doctorate from Duke University School of Law.
Judge Gretchen S. Lund brought many years of judiciary experience to the bench when she began her role with the Northern District Court on Jan. 30. Prior to her current appointment, she served as judge for the Goshen City Court from 2008 to 2014. She also served as judge of the Elkhart Superior Court where she served two terms from 2015-2024. Her second term ended with her appointment to serve on the District Court. Prior to serving as a judge, she served as a prosecutor in Elkhart County. Judge Lund received her undergraduate degree from Butler University and her juris doctorate from Valparaiso University.
Judge Cristal C. Brisco, became the first black woman appointed to the Northern District of Indiana Court on Jan. 24. Prior to joining the District Court bench, she served as judge in the St. Joseph County Superior Court. Before her judicial career, she served as corporation counsel for the City of South Bend, general counsel for St. Mary’s College Notre Dame, and as an associate with Barnes & Thornburg LLP. Her connections to Notre Dame run deep and in addition to serving as general counsel to St. Mary’s- Notre Dame, she also graduated from Notre Dame Law School with her Juris Doctorate and attended Valparaiso University for her undergraduate degree.
7th Circuit Court of Appeals
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has also had a busy year with two new additions.
Judge Nancy Maldonado served on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois prior to taking her seat on the bench for the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. She was selected to serve as district judge by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate in 2022. She began her career in Chicago as an associate at Miner, Barnhill & Galland PC from 2003 to 2009 before being elevated to partner in 2010. She received her juris doctorate degree from Columbia University after receiving her undergraduate degree from Harvard University.
Judge Joshua K. Kolar also served on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois from 2019 to 2024. In 2003, he worked as a law clerk for Judge Wayne Anderson with the Northern District Court of Illinois. He was an associate
with Mayor Brown out of their Chicago office from 2003 until 2007. In 2008, he became an assistant U.S. attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana. Since 2009, Kolar has served as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He was on active duty in Afghanistan from 2014 through 2015. Judge Kolar received both his undergraduate and juris doctorate degrees from Northwestern University.•
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Tiffany Guthrie is an attorney with Kightlinger and Gray LLP. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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