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By Michelle Allen, Director of Indiana Office of Administrative Law Proceedings
Most attorneys are surprised to hear that the State of Indiana operates around 85 state agencies and within the executive branch agencies, there are around 35 general counsels (GC) who support an agency. These general counsels are often working dual roles to not only support the legal operations of their agencies but help design and structure other programs within their groups.
The Government Practice Section’s GC CLE Series is designed to give practitioners, experts and law students a glimpse inside state regulatory agencies. Attendees will walk away with a better understanding of the agency’s overall operations — most end up regulating a variety of matters you do not normally associate with the agency — as well as insight as to what current challenges and future endeavors are in store for the agency. A half-hour networking event follows each CLE.
The initial CLE highlighted general counsels for agencies that regulate the business and tax industries. Meggan Brumbaugh of the Indiana Department of Insurance discussed implementation of an all payor claims database where citizens can use the system to improve their selection of health care and identify the average cost of a medical procedure. Nicole Buskill of the Department of Financial Institutions highlighted the growing concern over regulating cryptocurrency and indicated that states are apt to regulate this on their own before the federal government decides to implement procedures. The Indiana Economic Development Corporation was represented by Deputy General Counsel Andrew Lang, who touted the agency’s programs geared towards economic growth of counties and cities, one of which allowed media companies to obtain a discount for filming in Indiana. (More about IEDC’s programs can be found: https://www.iedc.in.gov/programs). Additionally, small business owners can take advantage of their local small business development center, which consists of business experts who provide information and advice to new and small business owners for free.
Learning information about the agencies is not even the best part — it’s knowing that after the CLE portion, you may approach these general counsels and ask them direct questions without worrying if your email will get stuck in junk mail. Each general counsel invited to the event is approachable and willing to chat with you to help answer your questions as best they can. Come learn from the people who are in the throes of their government agencies and who want to help you understand everything there is to know.
The next general counsel series event takes place at the IndyBar HQ (140 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis) on Oct. 26, from 4-5:30 p.m. and features general counsels from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Board of Animal Health, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Management and Utility Regulatory Commission.•
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