In the fall of 2009 the Indiana Supreme Court’s Board of Law Examiners (BLE) elected new officers, welcomed a reappointed board member and oversaw the bar admission ceremony.  Board Executive Director Linda L. Loepker explained, “In addition to welcoming new attorneys to the practice of law in Indiana, I am also very pleased to announce four of our board members will remain officers.”  The October meeting included the election of the following attorneys to a one year term on the specified position.  

President, Leslie C. Shively:  He was first appointed to the board in 2000.  An Evansville attorney, Mr. Shively primarily concentrates on real estate, land use and construction law.  He is an Indiana University School of Law graduate.
 
Vice- President, Jon B. Laramore:  He was first appointed in 2006.  An Indianapolis attorney, Mr. Laramore is the lead partner in the appellate practice group at Baker & Daniels, LLP and recently received the Indianapolis Bar Association’s 2009 Pro Bono Award for an attorney aiding entities.  He is a graduate of Harvard Law School.  

Secretary, Maria Pabon Lopez:  She was first appointed in 2007.  Professor Lopez serves on the faculty of Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis.  She teaches courses on immigration law, family law and professional responsibility.  She is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania School of Law.

Treasurer, Gilbert King, Jr.:  In addition to being elected treasurer, the Indiana Supreme Court also reappointed Mr. King to the Board.  The Court appointed Mr. King to a five-year term.  He was first appointed to the board in 2004 and also has served on the Board’s foreign license committee. He was admitted to practice in Indiana in 1974 and maintains a private law practice in Gary, Indiana.  He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky Law School and is active in numerous civil and legal organizations.

Other members of the board include the Cynthia S. Gillard of Elkhart, Eileen J. Sims of Lebanon, Charlotte F. Westerhaus of Indianapolis, Michael M. Yoder of Avilla, the Honorable Barbara L. Brugnaux of Terre Haute, and Gary K. Kemper of Madison.

The 10-member Board of Law Examiners is responsible for ensuring that individuals admitted to practice law have met the requirements specified in the Admission and Discipline Rules of the Indiana Supreme Court.  The board members must write and grade the essay portion of the examination given to applicants seeking admission to the Indiana Bar.  The culmination of that process is the admission ceremony, which was held in October. 

“The ceremony is special because it comes after years of education and hard work,” explained Executive Director Loepker.  “Each new attorney is to be commended for completing the journey to get admitted to the Indiana Bar and congratulated on starting their legal career.  I wish each of them many years of success.”  In total, 369 individuals were admitted to practice law during the October 16, 2009 ceremony that was held in the Sagamore Ballroom at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis.