From Farm Fields to the Bench: A Journey in Justice and Service
When I look back on my journey, it feels like two very different worlds have shaped me: the quiet, hardworking life of farm fields and the often intense, demanding world of the courtroom. At first glance, those two paths may not seem connected, but I’ve found that the values I learned growing up in rural […]
The Role of Local Merit Boards in Upholding Law Enforcement Standards
When people think about the justice system, their minds often go straight to the courtroom—the judge, the jury, and the attorneys. But the truth is, the integrity of law enforcement starts long before a case reaches trial. One of the most overlooked yet essential parts of that process is the work of local merit boards. […]
Strengthening Rural Legal Systems Through Education and Mentorship
When people think about the legal system, they often picture big-city courthouses, bustling law offices, and lengthy trials with high-profile attorneys. But in rural communities, the legal system looks—and operates—very differently. The challenges are more personal, the resources are more limited, and the need for strong, well-prepared legal professionals is just as critical, if not […]
Local Legends: Why the Best Justice Stories Don’t Make Headlines
Justice Without a Spotlight When people think of courtrooms, they often picture the high-stakes drama they see on TV: major trials, dramatic verdicts, lawyers shouting “Objection!” and judges banging gavels. But in the real world—especially in small-town Indiana—justice rarely plays out that way. In my years as a public defender, magistrate, and judge in Warrick […]
Running Past the Guilt: How I Learned to Rest in a Profession That Never Sleeps
The Weight We Carry Being a lawyer is demanding. Being a judge is even more so. For years, I carried a weight that I didn’t always know how to describe—a constant, low-level pressure that followed me home at night and showed up with me in the courtroom the next morning. Every case, every decision, every […]
How Youth Sports Build Character for Future Leaders in Law and Public Service
Growing up in Chrisney, Indiana, on a family farm, I learned early that hard work and discipline weren’t optional—they were part of daily life. But alongside feeding livestock and helping out with chores, another part of my upbringing played a big role in shaping who I am today: youth sports. Whether it was basketball, baseball, […]
Balancing Justice and Compassion: Lessons from Public Defense Work
When I first stepped into a courtroom as a public defender, I didn’t know how much that role would shape the rest of my career. I had studied the law. I knew the rules, the procedures, the statutes. But nothing in the textbooks fully prepared me for the weight of standing beside someone society had […]