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A formal investiture ceremony celebrating U.S. Magistrate Judge Crystal Wildeman’s appointment was held last week in Evansville.
Wildeman was sworn in privately in September after being appointed to fill a vacancy created by Judge Matthew Brookman’s elevation to district judge in Indiana’s Southern District.
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana held the Feb. 23 investiture ceremony, which was presided over by Senior District Judge Richard L. Young.
“Today we are all smiling and grateful that Judge Wildeman chose to bring her education, experience, and desire to serve her community home to Evansville. The Evansville community and the Southern District of Indiana will all benefit from her judicial service for many years to come,” Young said in written remarks.
Magistrate Judge Kellie Barr spoke on behalf of the court’s magistrate judges regarding Wildeman’s appointment.
“Since being officially sworn in September 1, 2023, it has become abundantly clear to me and to my magistrate judge colleagues that Judge Wildeman will go the extra mile–really, the extra 175 miles between Evansville and Indianapolis–to make sure that she is in the room when possible. Doing so has quickly allowed her to become an integral member of our team, and she always provides practical and useful insights on our day-to-day work,” Barr said.
An active participant in the legal profession and wider community, Wildeman is a member of the Indiana and Kentucky state bar associations and the Evansville Bar Association.
She is a previous board member and secretary of the Rotary Club of Evansville, where in 2021, she received the 20 Under 40 Award.
At her investiture ceremony, Wildeman said: “There are truly not enough words to properly thank all those who have had a hand in building me into the person I am today. Thank you for pushing me further than I thought I could go, and for helping me to believe in my own abilities and possibilities that hard work, resolve, and prayer could bring. I am overwhelmed and deeply touched.”
Wildeman is a 2003 graduate of Indiana University.
In May 2006, Wildeman earned her law degree from DePaul College of Law in Chicago.
While in law school, she earned the Best Brief Award in DePaul’s Moot Court Competition, was elected to serve as the chief justice of the Moot Court Society, and served as a summer associate for the Chicago Transit Authority.
Following law school, Wildeman worked at Kahn Dees Donovan & Kahn LLP from 2006 through 2014. From 2014 through 2022, she held a partner position with Wooden McLaughlin LLP (which merged into Dinsmore & Shohl LLP).
In 2022, Wildeman joined Barber & Bauer LLP.
She also has extensive mediation experience and is a certified, trained mediator.
Wildeman is also an advisory board member of Youth First, Inc., where she has served as the chair of the organization and on many committees.
Magistrate judges are appointed for a term of eight years and are eligible for reappointment to successive terms.
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