Students who face challenges getting into law school but show great promise to become successful attorneys and judges are participating in the Indiana Conference for Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) Summer Institute.  CLEO is designed to assist Indiana minority, low income or educationally disadvantaged college graduates in pursuing a law degree and a career in the Indiana legal community. Biographical information on each of the following students can be found at courts.in.gov/cleo.

Britany Adkins, Indianapolis, Indiana Michelle Angelo, Costa Mesa, California Jole Ann Awtrey, Evansville, Indiana Charles Bush, Clarksville, Tennessee Ana-Paola Capaldo, Miami, Florida William Carnes, Bloomington, Indiana Christopher Dilworth, Fort Wayne, Indiana Stepheni Ennis, Greenwood, Indiana Cara French, Valparaiso, Indiana Melody Hines, Indianapolis, Indiana Kiewanin Johnson, Indianapolis, Indiana Hannah Jones, Bloomfield, Indiana Robbin Lee, Fullerton, California Adrienne McDowell, Indianapolis, Indiana Amanda McIlwain, New Richmond, Indiana William Obermeyer, Crown Point, Indiana Yetunde Okunade, Memphis, Tennessee Lonnie Randolph II, East Chicago, Indiana Maria Rizkalla, Carmel, Indiana Ashley Rozier, Fort Wayne, Indiana Yolanda Ruiz, East Chicago, Indiana Marlon Smikle, Orlando, Florida Levy Wash Jr., East Chicago, Indiana Megan Wilkening, Cedar Lake, Indiana Adam Wilfond, Beverly Shores, Indiana Francisco Zamora, Robstown, Texas

Chief Justice Shepard and staff with 2010 Indiana CLEO Fellows High Quality Photo

Indiana CLEO was established in 1997 by the Indiana General Assembly and Governor Frank O’Bannon at the urging of Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard.  Chief Justice Shepard explained, “Over the past 13 years CLEO has encouraged young adults with promise to enter the legal field.  These are students who traditionally do not turn to a career choice in the legal arena, but with CLEO as a spring board they are successful.  I’m proud of each student and excited to see what talents the newest CLEO class brings to the legal community.” 

Each year, Indiana CLEO accepts about 30 college graduates into the program.  The students attend a six-week Summer Institute held at one of the four Indiana law schools.  This year, the program is at Valparaiso University School of Law.  CLEO is designed to prepare the students for the rigors of their upcoming law school experience.  The students are introduced to areas of law which they will encounter during their first year of law school.  They take part in a challenging curriculum and receive tips for law school success and professional development.  The Indiana Supreme Court’s Division of State Court Administration provides staff support and financial management for CLEO.

After successful completion of the Indiana CLEO Summer Institute, students are eligible for an annual stipend ranging from $6,500 - $9,000.   Stipends may be awarded for up to three successive years if the student remains eligible.  After graduation, ICLEO Fellows continue to have a supportive network of legal mentors comprised of alumni and program supporters.