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The Indiana Supreme Court courtroom was filled with laughter and joy Wednesday, as judges and attorneys gathered to honor outgoing Indiana Tax Court Judge Martha Blood Wentworth at her retirement ceremony.
“What an emotional day this is for me. Especially looking out into the crowd, I can see so many of the people who have been the people that have helped me, in my career and in my family life, and everything that I’ve become as a person, and I thank you all, there’s really not a time to talk about each and every one of you and the impact you had on my life,” Wentworth said.
Wentworth sat next to Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush and Court of Appeals of Indiana Chief Judge Robert Altice as colleagues and family gave emotional speeches about her career.
Joseph Heerens, general counsel to Gov. Eric Holcomb, presented the Sagamore of the Wabash Award to Wentworth.
“Besides doing the job of deciding cases, she has devoted time and energy to making an impact outside of the courtroom,” Heerens said. “Thank you for your many years of service and for all the amazing contributions you’ve made.”
Marion Superior Court Judge Heather Welch spoke about Wentworth’s work inspiring younger generations by teaching not only at the law schools, but also at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
“Best wishes for a happy retirement and I hope that you find your next chapter of life and enjoy it greatly,” Welch said.
Indiana State Bar Association President Amy Noe Dudas talked about how Wentworth has inspired some of the association’s programs and advocates for pro bono work.
ISBA Executive Director Joe Skeel presented an award of service to Wentworth.
Mark Richards, a member of ISBA’s taxation section, noted Wenworth’s passion for tax law.
“Judge Wentworth promoted the virtues of tax law whenever she could serving essentially as a tax law evangelist. That may sound like a hyperbole, but it really isn’t,” Richards said. “It reflects her genuine passion for her profession.”
Richards presented her with a certificate from the taxation section renaming a tax scholarship in her honor.
President and CEO of the Indiana Bar Foundation Chuck Dunlap discussed Wentworth’s work with the foundation.
“As a longtime volunteer, contributor, champion of both the Foundations education and civil legal assistance mission, Judge Wentworth jumping in with both feet, as we know that’s the only way that she operates and was always looking for ways to improve and expand pro bono and access to justice throughout Indiana. She’s always the first person to volunteer research, to write, advocate, teach and explore new ideas,” Dunlap said.
He added that they look forward to continuing working with her more.
Thomas Fisher, the state’s first tax court judge and Wentworth’s mentor, spoke of her passion for tax law.
“Marty undertook her duties and responsibilities with the passion and enthusiasm that one rarely sees,” Fisher said.
Wentworth was originally Fisher’s law clerk after she graduated from Indiana University Maurer School of Law. She went into private practice briefly before returning to the tax court.
Wentworth’s daughter, Amy Semmes Wentworth, spoke of what it was like growing up with her mom in law school and thanked her for being a great example.
“Although inspired by her, I could not imagine how far she’d go all the way to the neutrality of judgeship and far past the limits her father, Mark, took her when he told her women could not become lawyers,” Amy said.
Wentworth was appointed by former Gov. Mitch Daniels in 2011 and since then she has written 206 opinions. She was the state’s second tax court judge and first woman on that bench.
She announced her retirement in April, and government attorney Justin McAdam has been named as her successor.
Wentworth will begin her new role as senior judge of the tax court on Sept. 3.
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