Committees

The Indiana Bar Foundation thrives because of the dedicated individuals who invest their time and expertise to advance its mission for Hoosiers across the state. Below are the committee members who drive the Foundation’s initiatives forward.

75th Anniversary Celebration Gala Committee

This new working group will partner with staff to create the 75^th Anniversary Gala event (October 3, 2025). Members will assist with fundraising, marketing, and identifying key partnerships and stakeholders who are passionate about the Foundation’s mission and vision.

Jacquelyn Pillar, Committee Chair, Crist, Sears & Zic
Judi Calhoun, Co-Chair, Delaware County Circuit Courts
Timothy J. Abeska, Retired Counsel
Scott Barnhart, Office of the Indiana Attorney General
Hon. Steven David, Indiana Supreme Court
Amy Dudas, Dudas Law
Larry Evans, Hoeppner Wagner & Evans
Carl Hayes, Simon Property Group
Sharon Jackson, Deputy General Counsel
Hon. James Sweeney, District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
Scott Wylie, Pro Bono Indiana

Executive Committee

Makes business and policy decisions between meetings of the Board of Directors. Oversees the governance and board policies of the organization and the annual review of the President & CEO.

Alexander Orlowski, Chair, Barnes & Thornburg
Drew Howk, Hall Render
Jacquelyn Pillar, Crist, Sears & Zic
Laura Hammack, Beech Grove City Schools
Julie Slaughter, Office of Corporation Counsel

Finance Committee

Provides oversight on all financial matters, including the IOLTA program and annual audit. Recommends financial policies related to investment of the funds managed by the Foundation and internal financial controls. Reviews and recommends overall spending policies for grantmaking.

Jacquelyn Pillar, Chair, Crist, Sears & Zic
Hon. Terrence Cody, Floyd County Circuit Court
Lucy Dollens, Quarles & Brady LLP
Drew Howk, Hall Render
Alexander Orlowski, Barnes & Thornburg
Drew Soshnick,  Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath

Nominating Committee

Assists in the nomination and filling of vacancies on the Indiana Bar Foundation Board of Directors. Conducts proactive board leadership planning to ensure a high level of board engagement and diversity.

Alexander Orlowski, Chair, Barnes & Thornburg
Hon. Terrence Cody, Floyd County Circuit Court
Robert Dion, University of Evansville
Lucy Dollens, Quarles & Brady LLP
Sharon Jackson, Deputy General Counsel
Jacquelyn Pillar, Crist, Sears & Zic
Hon. Elizabeth Tavitas, Court of Appeals of Indiana
David Van Gilder, Fletcher Van Gilder

Development Committee

Partners with staff to create and implement fundraising and communication strategies. Assists with development functions for individual donors and corporate sponsors. Serves as ambassadors, connecting others to the Foundation’s mission. Selects recipients for Indiana Bar Foundation annual awards.

Lucy Dollens, Chair, Quarles & Brady LLP
Tim Abeska, Retired Counsel
Matt Burkhart, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath
Drew Howk, Hall Render
Alexander Orlowski, Barnes & Thornburg
Jacquelyn Pillar, Crist, Sears & Zic
Scott Wylie, Pro Bono Indiana

Volunteerism & Civics Outreach Committee

Assists with volunteer recruitment, orientation, and stewardship for the Foundation, including civics programming (We the People, Mock Trial), develops and expands community partnerships to advance the Foundation’s mission and commitment to organizational diversity.

Laura Hammack, Co-Chair,
Julie Slaughter, Co-Chair,
Jenny Buchheit,
Robert Dion, University of Evansville
Alexandra French
Julie Moore Holtz
Shelley Jackson
Aaron Johnson
Lafayette Jordan
Hon. Paul Mathias Jimmie McMillian
Amanda Miller
Megan Purser
Steven Sersic
Drew Soshnick
Debra White

ILH Transition Sub-committee

Guides the transition of Indiana Legal Help programs post-IHCDA Housing Stability Contract.

Caryn Glawe
Hon. Melissa May
Judy Okenfuss
David Van Gilder

Grants and Scholarships Committee

Approves all grantmaking and scholarships of the Foundation, including IOLTA, Civil Legal Aid Fund, Loan Repayment Assistance, etc. Develops policies and procedures for data collection and outcomes analysis of grants. Conducts site visits with grantees.

Jenny Buchheit
Hon. Terrence Cody
Jane Dall Wilson
Hon. Nancy Gettinger
Jimmie McMillian
Hon. James Sweeney
Hon. Elizabeth Tavitas
Shelice Tolbert
David Van Gilder

Holder Scholarship Advisory Sub-Committee

Recommends nominee(s) for the Hon. Cale Holder Scholarship.

Nicholas Buschmann
Hon. Brian Hill
Joe Jenner
Ashlie Keaton
Andy McGee
Bill McGee
George Sowers
Hon. James Sweeney

Mock Trial Rules Sub-Committee

Oversees and recommends the policies, rules, and administration of the Indiana High School Mock Trial Program.

Scott Barnhart
Julie Moore Holtz
Sharon Jackson
Shelley Jackson
Mike Lewinski
John Peluso
Dylan Pittman
Alison Skertic
Elizabeth Taylor

Mock Trial Case Sub-Committee

Writes a fictional case for the Indiana High School Mock Trial Program annually.

Lyle Hardman
Yvette LaPlant
Mike Lewinski
Swati Pradeep
Oscar Rivas
Julie Slaughter
Daniel Strunk
Daniel Thomas