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New Indiana State Bar Association President Michael Jasaitis urged members at the group’s annual summit to continue their efforts at recruiting and retaining attorneys and promoting the profession to elementary and high school students.
“We must address the crucial issue of an attorney shortage in Indiana, particularly in rural communities,” Jasaitis said Thursday during the summit’s assembly meeting at the Marriott North in Indianapolis.
More than half the state’s 92 counties–most of them rural–are considered legal deserts, defined by the American Bar Association as having less than one lawyer per 1,000 residents.
Jasaitis, a Crown Point attorney, accepted the presidential gavel from outgoing ISBA president Thomas Felts, who completed his term as the first judge to lead the statewide association.
The new president thanked Felts for his leadership and mentorship and the judge’s efforts to bridge the gap between the bench and the bar.
Jasaitis became involved with ISBA when he was approached in the courthouse parking lot by another attorney, who asked if he’d be interested in being the Lake County representative for the association’s young lawyers section.
He has since served in leadership positions with both ISBA and the Lake County Bar Association, which he recognized Thursday during his remarks.
In addressing the state’s attorney shortage, Jasaitis urged members to be open to new solutions and he noted the efforts of the Indiana Supreme Court, as well as ISBA, in addressing the issue.
He said he looked forward to collaborating with the high court on preserving the future of Indiana’s legal profession.
Jasaitis emphasized the need for ISBA members to enhance the attorney feeder system by engaging with younger students and devoting time to classroom visits, coaching mock trial teams and other efforts to expose young people to the legal field.
“This is how we plant the seeds right now,” Jasaitis said.
Jasaitis also urged members to keep open minds about alternative paths to a law license.
He said the ISBA will continue its strong relationship with the state’s judiciary and its emphasis within the association on mentorship and leadership development.
Felts recognized the following members at the summit with ISBA presidential citations:
-Loretta Oleksy, Thought Kitchen LLC.
-Frank and Cheryl Sullivan.
-Professor Joel Schumm, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.
-April Keaton, Office of Indiana Attorney General.
-Jackie Pillar, Crist, Sears & Zic, LLP
The ISBA also announced the following 2024-2025 officers and leaders:
-President Elect: John Maley, Indianapolis.
-Vice President: Derrick Wilson, New Albany.
-Secretary: Angela Jones, St. John.
-Treasurer: Jimmie McMillian, Indianapolis.
-Counsel to the President: Ret. Hon. Steven David, Fishers.
-Past President: Felts, Fort Wayne.
-House of Delegates Chair: Hon. Elizabeth Bellin, Elkhart.
-House of Delegates Chair Elect: Steve Hoar, Evansville.
-Young Lawyers Section Chair: Matt Land, Indianapolis.
-Young Lawyers Section Observer: Libby Klesmith, South Bend.
Nominees approved by voice vote to the ISBA Board of Governors Thursday were:
-2nd District: Rachel Arndt, Rochester.
-3rd District: Doug Sakaguchi, South Bend.
-6th District: Lynsey David, Fishers.
-7th District: Scott Bieniek, Greencastle.
-8th District: Derrick McDowell, Evansville.
9th District: Abbey Fargen Riley, Jeffersonville.
11th District:Traci Cosby, Indianapolis.
At Large District: Melissa Keyes, Indianapolis.
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