The Indianapolis Star: ‘David merits a yes’
I appreciate this editorial in today’s edition of The Indianapolis Star. The newspaper’s endorsement states, in part:
As leaders in the Indiana State Bar Association point out, David has taken part in scores of cases during his two years as a justice and has been highly active in community outreach. A survey of attorneys by the association found more than 80 percent supporting his retention, a similar figure to those enjoyed by the others on the ballot, Justice Robert Rucker and four Court of Appeals judges.
In a public letter praising David as a “veritable workhorse” and a “fierce defender of the rule of law,” outgoing Bar Association President C. Erik Chickedantz wrote: “Punishing a judge over a single decision . . . as opposed to looking at the whole picture of a judge’s service lowers the status of the judicial process and can send a chilling message to other justices and judges. Hoosiers deserve better.”
He’s right. Hoosiers deserve the opportunity to hold judges accountable at the polls, but they have the obligation to know the history behind the names and the complexities of provocative decisions. In this instance, a retention vote is interesting for the wrong reasons. David merits a “yes” — as does Justice Rucker.
Former Indiana Chief Justice’s endorsement means a lot
I was deeply honored to receive a note today from former Indiana State Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall Shepard. Mr. Shepard retired in March 2012 after serving 27 years as a Supreme Court justice. His voice — one of the most thoughtful and respected in our state and across our nation — endorsing my retention on the court means a great deal to me.
Indiana is a better place because of Justice Steve David’s service and leadership.
Running alongside his lifelong and remarkable military career, Steve David has served as a lawyer in a wide range of settings that have provided a solid basis for his work as a Justice. There aren’t many people who can match his performance as a corporate lawyer, and as a lawyer who represented injured people, and as a consummate trial court judge whose reputation for even-handedness reached well beyond our state’s borders.
It is good for Indiana that Steve David hears the call of public service, and we should vote to retain him in office with confidence that we’re lucky to have him.
Indiana’s system of merit appointment and retention has saved us from the sort of unseemly judicial political campaigns so visible even in the states around us. And it has promoted able people to the bench. The public’s knowledge of this fact has produced higher voter participation and higher voter approval over time. In this election, Justice Robert Rucker and Court of Appeals Judges Baker, Barnes, Mathias, and Vaidik have likewise earned our vote to retain.
Get to know — and support — special treatment courts for vets
I fully recognize that are there times when our courts must consider the special circumstances and needs of the people who must stand before them — which is I want more people to know about Veterans Treatment Courts. Continue reading “Get to know — and support — special treatment courts for vets” »
‘We cannot fail our children’
I was honored to serve as the keynote speaker today at the inaugural conference of Children’s Justice Act, a statewide, multidisciplinary response to child abuse and neglect that brought together experts in law, medicine and an array of social work. Continue reading “‘We cannot fail our children’” »
Shake, rattle and roll, er, run!
Whew! We made it! My step-daughter, Danielle, and I ran the Rock ‘N’ Roll half marathon in St. Louis, Sun., Oct. 21. This year’s full marathon was bigger than ever: more than 16,000 runners from 49 states and 17 countries participated. The beneficiary of this big fundraiser: Team Activities for Special Kids (TASK), a St. Louis-based nonprofit that aims to provide safe recreational activities for children with special physical and developmental needs.
‘Punishing judge over 1 decision lowers judicial process’
This editorial appearing Oct. 16 in The (Muncie) Star-Press states: Continue reading “‘Punishing judge over 1 decision lowers judicial process’” »
Wishing Indiana’s new lawyers well
I extend hearty congratulations to the approximately 400 people who were admitted Oct. 15 to the practice of law at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. My state Supreme Court colleagues and I joined the Court of Appeals and federal judges to preside over the admission of these new attorneys, who represent the promise and future of our profession. They have worked for years on their education, and should be commended for their hard work. Afterwards, many of us headed to a wonderful “Dinner with the Judiciary,” hosted by the Young Lawyers Section of the Indiana State Bar Association.
I would appreciate your vote
It is my honor to serve you as a member of your Indiana Supreme Court. I take my oath with great obligation and commitment to the people of Indiana.
Every day, I do the best that I can for our state. I am overwhelmed and humbled by the votes of confidence and support I have received. Continue reading “I would appreciate your vote” »
Indiana State Bar members overwhelmingly support David’s retention
I am humbled and honored to receive this showing of support from members of the Indiana Bar Association.
Today, the organization released the results of a poll of ISBA members concerning the retention of two Supreme Court Justices, including me, and four Court of Appeals judges.
Here is the bar association’s release of its findings.
When informing bar members of the poll’s findings, C. Erik Chickedantz, the bar’s president, wrote, “Please do your part, as local bar leaders, to encourage the retention of these judges. Our system of justice is too important to be co-opted by special interest groups.”
Here is a companion editorial column written by Bar member Joel Schumm, a law professor at Indiana University.
All Six Judges Have Earned “Yes” Votes for Retention
Joel Schumm is an Indiana State Bar Association member and clinical professor of law at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, where he directs the law school’s Judicial Externship Program and supervises students in the Appellate Clinic. He released this statement today: Continue reading “All Six Judges Have Earned “Yes” Votes for Retention” »