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Wilson Kehoe Winingham
Valparaiso University School of Law, 2016
Why did you decide to enter the legal profession?
In college I was unsure about what I wanted to do as a career. I had majored in political science, so additional schooling was a given. At the time, I was contemplating getting my Ph.D. or attending law school. I ultimately chose law school and a career as a lawyer because I knew that I wanted to tangibly step into people’s lives, sometimes at their hardest moments, and provide them with support and guidance.
Who is someone who has inspired you in your career?
My mother, Jeanne VanTyle. I was blessed to be raised by a woman who managed a successful career in her own right but still was able to pour herself into her family as well as her community. Her example is what helps me get through some of the tough days we all have as lawyers and reminds me that even when things feel impossible and there is too much to balance, it can be done.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
It’s hard to pick just one of piece of advice, because thankfully I have received many nuggets of wisdom over the years! One piece of advice I have received many times over from many different people is, “What goes around comes around,” meaning that if you always take a hard stance, are inflexible or are uncompromising, it can come back to make your life and your work more difficult. In general, I believe a great lawyer is not overly antagonistic or aggressive just for the sake of being so.
What is something you wish people knew about lawyers?
While lawyers often appear confident and poised, there are many hours of behind the-scenes work that go into making sure our arguments are clear, understandable and soundly based in the law.
What do you enjoy about litigation?
There are so many aspects of litigation I love. I love getting to advocate for my client in court; I love the finality that litigation can sometimes bring; and I love that often, when my clients first present to me, they have a problem that is life-altering, but by the time my representation ends with them, I have either resolved that problem or worked to help improve the circumstances.
We hear you’re very involved with IndyBar, specifically with the Young Lawyers and Women in the Law divisions. What do you enjoy about that work?
There are so many things I enjoy about being involved with a professional organization like IndyBar. For me, I enjoy the friendship, camaraderie, mentorship and support. It has helped me thrive as attorney to network and interact with other lawyers in a noncompetitive environment.
What makes a good lawyer/judge?
Someone who is approachable, compassionate and driven to always get the best outcome for their client, no matter how large or small the matter may be.
If you hadn’t pursued a legal career, what would you be doing?
As a child I dreamed of becoming an equine vet, but introduction to chemistry my freshman year quickly helped me learn that my brain is not cut out for it! More realistically, I would probably be working in academi. I love diving into issues, having discussions, helping people learn as well as improving people’s critical thinking and writing skills. My current job actually allows me to do a lot of those same things, which is one reason why I think it is such a good fit for me.
How do you spend your free time?
In my free time you can find me at home with my fiance and our two dogs, Phoebe and Cali. Often, we are busy either with a project at our house or one of rental properties. During COVID we decided to get involved in real estate investing, and it has provided us both with a creative outlet we didn’t know we needed!
Do you have a secret talent?
I am not sure this is secret or a talent, but I do know how to drive stick shift! My car for the majority of my high school and college education was a Volkswagen Bug with a manual transmission.•
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