Articles

LEADERSHIP IN LAW 2024: Ken Cotter

St. Joseph County Prosecutor University of Notre Dame Law School, 1990 Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? I wanted to fight for those who didn’t have a voice. I used to teach (before law school) and at some point realized that I could have a more profound impact by using a law […]

Read More

LEADERSHIP IN LAW 2024: Magistrate Terrance T. Tharpe

Marion Superior Court Indiana University Maurer School of Law, 2003 Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? Athletically, I looked up to my older brothers, but career wise, I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my cousin. As it turns out, my career has mirrored a lot of hers. She’s a career […]

Read More

LEADERSHIP IN LAW 2024: Richard O. Kissel II (Rick)

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP Indiana University Maurer School of Law, 1985 Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? I thought it would be a rewarding and challenging career that would offer me the opportunity to make a long-lasting difference in people’s lives. I found myself interested in working directly with clients, getting […]

Read More

LEADERSHIP IN LAW 2024: Jonathan Stewart

Indianapolis Legal Aid Society Indiana University McKinney School of Law, 1993 Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? When I was in my senior year of college, one of my housemates insisted on betting $50 that he would score better on the LSAT than I would. I took the bet, and he lost. […]

Read More

LEADERSHIP IN LAW 2024: Abe Jentry Shanehsaz

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP Indiana University Maurer School of Law, 2014 Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? Going to law school and becoming a lawyer was recommended for me by different important people in my life over and over again. Those who knew me best suggested I would be a […]

Read More

LEADERSHIP IN LAW 2024: Samuel E. Swafford

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, 2015 If you hadn’t pursued a legal career, what would you be doing? Having played college baseball, I have always loved the sport—even after my playing days were over. Had I not pursued a legal career, I would have pursued working in […]

Read More

LEADERSHIP IN LAW 2024: Charles E. Bush II

Ice Miller LLP Valparaiso University School of Law, 2013 Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? I worked professionally immediately after undergrad rather than going directly to law school. After working for a few years, I wanted to pursue a career in sports law. I decided to go to law school to give […]

Read More

LEADERSHIP IN LAW 2024: Anne Mullin O’Connor

The Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County Indiana University McKinney School of Law, 1989 Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? While my interest in the legal profession was present as early as middle school, my decision to enter it occurred during my undergraduate education. My major was public administration, so I […]

Read More

LEADERSHIP IN LAW 2024: Nabeela Virjee

Plews Shadley Racher & Braun LLP Indiana University McKinney School of Law, 2013 Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? As a kid, I thought lawyers had superpowers. Although I couldn’t articulate it then, I viewed lawyers as the ones who understood and could navigate the written and enforceable rules of society. People […]

Read More

LEADERSHIP IN LAW 2024: Grant Achenbach

Krieg DeVault LLP Indiana University McKinney School of Law, 2019 Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of business and government, an interest that was sparked by an influential teacher I had in high school. Through an internship with the Indiana House of Representatives, I got […]

Read More

LEADERSHIP IN LAW 2024: Suzannah Wilson Overholt

Amundsen Davis LLC Indiana University Maurer School of Law, 1992 Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? I had the grand idea that by being a lawyer I could change the world. While I realized fairly early in my career that I would need more of a focus than that, I have pursued […]

Read More

LEADERSHIP IN LAW 2024: Caroline Faith Brinster

Dentons Bingham Greenebaum LLP Lewis and Clark Law School, 2019 Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? I wanted to help others pursue justice. In the beginning of my career, I wanted to help children and families. I followed this interest for the first few years of my practice while in Portland, Oregon, […]

Read More

LEADERSHIP IN LAW 2024: Valerie Loya

Hensley Legal Group PC University of Iowa College of Law, 2016 Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? The history of law has always fascinated me. As a Catholic school kid, class lessons were intertwined with parables and the prevailing legal principles of their times. Central to these parables was a stark sense […]

Read More

LEADERSHIP IN LAW 2024: Ranissa Dycus

American Senior Communities Indiana University McKinney School of Law, 2016 Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? I truly wanted to help people. I grew up in the inner city and experienced injustices at my high school all the time. I even personally experienced injustice as a youth in sixth grade. I knew […]

Read More

LEADERSHIP IN LAW 2024: Chasity Thompson Osborn

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP Indiana University McKinney School of Law, 2002 What makes a good legal support staffer? It is important to understand the needs of people with whom you are working and then be purposeful in finding ways to address those needs. Additionally, key strengths include possessing a strong work ethic and being […]

Read More

LEADERSHIP IN LAW 2024: Alex Van Gorp

Strada Education Foundation Indiana University McKinney School of Law, 2016 Why did you decide to enter the legal profession? The legal profession beckoned me because of its unending intellectual challenge. I thrive in environments that demand continuous learning and the ability to solve complex problems. Who is someone who has inspired you in your career? […]

Read More