Diversity in Law 2024

St. Joseph Superior Court judge Arizona State University Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? Growing up, we lived on a farm, and very frequently, my grandparents and my parents would push me to education, education, education. They said: “Doctor or lawyer. There’s neither in our family. You’re going to be one.” At […]

Dentons Bingham Greenebaum LLP Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law What does “diversity, equity and inclusion” mean to you? DEI means ensuring that everyone has a fair chance. People from marginalized and underrepresented communities deserve the same opportunities as everyone else. The American Dream is about advancing through hard work, grit and determination, […]

The Fehribach Group Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? I wanted to be a lawyer since the eighth grade. What does “diversity” mean to you? I think diversity means America. I think it means the fact that we are a country and always have been […]

Marion Superior Court University of Missouri School of Law Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? I decided to enter the legal profession because I wanted to help people who were not able to help themselves. What does “diversity, equity and inclusion” mean to you? Diversity, equity and inclusion means being intentional about […]

Cohen & Malad LLP Southern Illinois University School of Law What does “diversity, equity and inclusion” mean to you? Diversity, equity and inclusion means working to create a more just, equitable and inclusive society through intentional efforts to recognize and learn from history, analyze how systems, policies and practices have caused or contributed to discrimination […]

Hoover Hull Turner LLP Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? I entered the legal profession because I witnessed systemic injustices early in life and understood the critical importance of access to open courts. This inspired me to pursue a career where I could help […]

Taft Stettinius & Hollister Indiana University Maurer School of Law Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? My sister, who is seven years older than me, was always the perfect student and I felt like I could never live up to her achievements. She attended law school for one year, decided she hated […]

Krieg DeVault LLP University of Illinois College of Law Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? Initially, I loved the idea of arguing a case in front of a judge or jury. However, when I decided to enter private practice (law firm), I loved taking an issue and analyzing how the law applies […]

Office of the Governor Valparaiso University School of Law Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? I view the legal profession as an art. The ability to study, develop and apply law to the ever-changing needs of an ever-evolving society requires keen technical writing aptitude, precise analysis and incredible oratorical and presentation skills. […]

Cummins Inc. University of Michigan Law School Why did you decide to enter the legal profession?  I learned about Thurgood Marshall and the impact he had as a lawyer. While working with the NAACP legal defense fund, he helped to dismantle segregation in public education and public places. It was clear so much more needed […]

Dentons Bingham Greenebaum LLP University of Cincinnati College of Law Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? I was drawn to law school because I have always enjoyed reading and writing, critical thinking and arguing. My decision to become a practicing attorney was motivated by my respect for my father, who is an […]

Paganelli Law Group Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? I decided I wanted to become an attorney when I was in 8th grade. I grew up in an area in which I was surrounded by individuals who needed legal representation for a number of […]

Barnes & Thornburg LLP University of Illinois College of Law Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? I wanted to be a lawyer since I was a little girl. I did not understand the concept of purpose then, but I do now. And what I know now is that practicing law was definitively […]

Quarles & Brady LLP Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? I became a lawyer because I wanted to be able to influence strategic decisions and learn transferrable skills (writing, advocacy, critical thinking) that will simultaneously benefit my professional career and my personal ambition to […]

Jackson Legal Services P.C. Indiana University Maurer School of Law Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? From the time that I was a small child, I knew I wanted to “be something” that would allow me to serve others and make a difference in the community where I grew up. Based on […]

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Lacy Johnson is Indiana Lawyer’s Diversity Trailblazer for 2024 not only because of the impact he has had in Indiana as a longtime Indianapolis attorney and public affairs strategist but thanks as well to the influence he has wielded nationally as a […]

USA Track & Field Notre Dame Law School What does “diversity, equity and inclusion” mean to you? It means a place, community or organization where there are members from diverse backgrounds, whose contributions are equally valued, everyone has access to resources and opportunities, and everyone is and feels valued as a part of the organization. […]

Faegre Drinker Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? I had a choice between teaching high school history or going to law school. Either way, the rest was history. What does “diversity, equity and inclusion” mean to you? Intentionally bringing together a spectrum of experiences […]

Freeman Law Office LLC Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? I was originally attracted to how the legal system was a bit like a game, like how if you successfully argue the real meaning of a word, or if you know an exception to […]