Judge John T. Sharpnack

Watch the Retirement Ceremony

Real Media: Windows Media:

Judge John T. Sharpnack Retires from the Court of Appeals
05.01.2008

Judge John T. Sharpnack will retire from the Indiana Court of Appeals in a ceremony in the Supreme Court courtroom at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2008.  Chief Judge John G. Baker will preside.  Judge Sharpnack’s family, colleagues, former law clerks, and special guests will attend the ceremony, followed by a reception.  (Seating is by invitation, but the media is welcome to cover the event.)

Judge Sharpnack, appointed by Governor Evan Bayh in January 1991, served more than 17 years.  He reaches the constitutionally-mandated retirement age of 75 on May 7th, and his last day on the court will be May 3, 2008.  He will continue to serve the citizens of Indiana as a senior judge beginning May 5th. 

Judge Sharpnack, who was retained on the Court of Appeals by election in 1994and 2004, served as Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals from September 9, 1992 to December 31, 2001.  During his tenure as Chief Judge, the court created a motions panel to rule on motions made prior to a case being fully briefed; initiated a rotating panel system for deciding cases; and started a senior judge program for the Court of Appeals.  Case closure rates markedly improved following these innovations.