IndyBar Record Spring 2026

FROM OUR PRESIDENT

The Power of Professional Community The true value of IndyBar membership extends beyond dollars and discounts. One of the greatest benefits of IndyBar membership has been access to colleagues, mentors, judges, and future leaders of our profession. Our bar association provides networking opportunities that are not just social events but meaningful professional touchpoints. Through sections, divisions, committees, and events, we connect with others who share our practice areas, interests, and challenges. These connections lead to referrals, collaborations, mentorship opportunities, and lifelong friendships. Sometimes these connections lead to a simple reassuring conversation that you are not alone with the daily pressures of the profession. In a profession where trust and reputation matter deeply, these relationships are invaluable. What ’ s Ahead for IndyBar This year will bring exciting opportunities for all of us. We will continue expanding educational programming, including CLE offerings addressing emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity risks for law firms, and the evolving expectations of clients and courts. Members can also look forward to signature community events including the Law Day Celebration on April 30, where we will recommit to the rule of law in a nonpartisan manner, the June Bench Bar Conference, and other networking events designed to strengthen our professional relationships and celebrate our legal community. IndyBar will also continue developing new ways to keep members informed. The fact that you are reading this means you are already plugged in. This new association magazine provides space to tell the stories of our Indy legal community by highlighting the work of our members, sharing perspectives from judges and practitioners, and documenting the work that shapes us. We will continue to publish our very well received, daily Afternoon Brief email highlighting Supreme Court and Indiana Court of Appeals decisions to legislative changes and professional trends. By reducing communications to one daily email, we hope to unclutter your inbox while improving your ability to stay informed. Our goal is simple: to ensure that when Indianapolis lawyers ask, “Where can I find the people and information I need to navigate my practice?” The answer is IndyBar. An Invitation Ultimately, the value of the Indianapolis Bar Association comes from its diverse membership. Every program, every mentoring relationship, every educational opportunity, and every professional connection exists because lawyers choose to invest in our shared professional community. At a time when the legal profession faces rapid change and increasing complexity, this community matters more than ever. Because you are holding this magazine, you are already a part of this work, and we THANK YOU. But, take a moment to stop and think of just one colleague or friend that is not a member and missing out on all the benefits and community IndyBar has to offer. Invite that friend to join us. Our mentoring initiatives will grow, helping connect experienced attorneys and paralegals with those just entering the profession.

Community, Connection, and Our Future n a profession defined by change, uncertainty, and growing demands, one constant remains: our need for community. I became a member of IndyBar because it offered both tangible and intangible value. That was many years ago and what I value about my membership has evolved with my development and the challenges we face in the profession. Today there is increasing pressure on the rule of law, heightened public scrutiny of the legal profession, and AI evolution…all combined with the daily demands of practicing law. With these challenges, having access to fellowship opportunities with colleagues who can relate while also being connected to the diverse thoughts and experiences of IndyBar members is more valuable than ever. The Value As lawyers, we know that voluntary professional memberships are an investment, and we often evaluate them through the same lens: what do we receive in return for our dues? One of the most obvious benefits of our IndyBar membership is CLE. Members receive low registration rates and at least 50% off CLE programs, savings that can quickly offset the cost of dues. But with all the options for CLE in today’s market, CLE alone would never be enough. IndyBar membership provides access to professional tools and services that support daily practice. For a fraction of the actual cost, membership offers more than $2,000 in potential annual benefits, including our referral service, professional resources, and discounts on practice management tools used by lawyers across the country. As members, we also enjoy practical perks that support professional visibility, business development, and wellness. Monthly professional headshot opportunities help maintain a polished online presence, while the Indy LawyerFinder referral service can connect members with new clients. Discounts on legal technology platforms such as Clio and LawPay further support efficient and modern law practice. Our vibrant IndyBar Headquarters offers a home away from home base when members need to host a downtown meeting or simply want a change of scenery from their daily workspace. Did you know with a quick visit to the IndyBar website members can reserve a workspace for just a few hours or the entire day? As an added bonus, you are sure to run into a colleague that you haven’t seen in a while or another you’ve been meaning to connect with. It is a true members’ clubhouse! This is one of my favorite perks of membership and I take full advantage of spending time at IndyBarHQ. I BY KATHERINE F. JACKSON-LINDSAY, PRESIDENT

Together, we are not just practicing law. We are strengthening our entire community.

Katherine F. Jackson-Lindsay is the founder of Jackson Legal Services PC, where she practices criminal defense. She earned her undergraduate degree from Indiana State University and her J.D. from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. Katie is active in the legal community, serving on the Marion County Judicial Selection Committee since its inception, on the board of the Indiana Federal Community Defenders, and as the 2022 president of the Marion County Bar Association. She is also an adjunct professor at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law and a legal analyst for WTHR Channel 13, where she has provided commentary on high-profile cases for national outlets including ABC News, NewsNation, and CNN. In the course of providing she was awarded two Emmy Awards from the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences. In 2025, she was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers. Outside of work, Katie enjoys cooking, baking, hosting holidays, traveling, and trying new restaurants with her husband, Brandon.

The Indianapolis Bar Association / Since 1878 - 2