As Hoosiers prepare for the Fourth of July, The Indiana Lawyer Podcast explores the legal spark behind the fireworks industry. New host Maura Johnson speaks with John Brooke, founding partner of Muncie-based Brooke and Struble, who has represented clients in fireworks law since the 1980s. Brooke discusses Indiana’s role in shaping national firework regulations, the impact of tariffs and droughts on the industry, and how a chance encounter launched his one-of-a-kind legal career.
Jun 25, 2025•22 min
In this episode of The Indiana Lawyer Podcast, host Alexa Shrake speaks with Allison Wharry, CEO of New Hope of Indiana, about her journey from practicing attorney to leading a nonprofit that serves adults with disabilities. Wharry shares how her J.D. continues to shape her work in employment law, advocacy and nonprofit leadership—and why law school opened doors to a fulfilling, nontraditional career path. She also offers advice for young professionals who feel pressure to define their future to...
Jun 11, 2025•14 min
Host Alexa Shrake speaks with two recipients of The Indiana Lawyer’s 2025 Leadership in Law Awards. Distinguished Barrister honoree Kay Pashos, a partner at Taft, and Up and Coming Lawyer honoree Justin Hays, an associate at Church Church Hittle + Antrim, reflect on their legal careers, community work, and the mentors who inspired them. They discuss how their passions—ranging from energy law to mentoring youth—have shaped their work and why building strong relationships is key to lasting success...
May 28, 2025•20 min
In this episode of The Indiana Lawyer Podcast, host Alexa Shrake talks with state legislators Sen. Rodney Pol Jr. and Rep. Chris Jeter about Indiana’s recent legislative session. Both practicing attorneys, they share how they juggle lawmaking and lawyering, weigh in on key bills, from administrative reform to human trafficking protections and address the state’s ongoing attorney shortage. They also discuss efforts to reallocate courts, expand public safety resources and revive a law school in no...
May 14, 2025•40 min
In this episode, Kyle Fairchild, corporate counsel for Penske Entertainment, joins us to discuss the legal side of motorsports. He shares insights about the Racing Attorney Conference (TRAC), recent trends in motorsports law, and how Penske Entertainment manages legal operations for the Indianapolis 500, IMS, and IndyCar. Fairchild also reflects on his career journey, the growth of TRAC, and what makes the Indy 500’s pre-race traditions so special.
Apr 30, 2025•21 min
Gerard Magliocca, professor at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, joins host Alexa Shrake to discuss President Donald Trump's recent executive order aimed at redefining birthright citizenship, a principle established by the 14th Amendment. Magliocca provides historical context on the amendment's ratification, explains its intended purpose after the Civil War, and examines the legal arguments surrounding Trump's controversial order. He analyzes the ongoing litigation, which has ...
Apr 16, 2025•10 min•Ep. 88
In this episode of The Indiana Lawyer Podcast, host Alexa Shrake sits down with Ice Miller Partner Tom Walsh to discuss the evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness in college athletics. Walsh, a Purdue University alum and founding member of the Boilermaker Alliance collective, explains how NIL rules have changed since 2021 and what the proposed legal settlement means for universities, athletes, and collectives. The conversation covers revenue sharing, scholarship changes, fair market val...
Apr 02, 2025•29 min•Ep. 87
In this episode of the Indiana Lawyer Podcast, host Alexa Shrake speaks with Indiana Court of Appeals Judge Elaine Brown in honor of Women’s History Month. Judge Brown shares her path from art teacher to judge, the challenges and progress for women in the legal profession, and her long-standing work on substance abuse and mental health initiatives in the justice system. She also discusses her time on the trial and appellate benches, the evolution of community corrections and her commitment to ci...
Mar 19, 2025•24 min•Ep. 86
With daylight saving time approaching, Indiana’s time zones and clock changes are once again a topic of discussion. Host Alexa Shrake sits down with former Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall Shepard to explore the legal history of time in Indiana. They discuss how time became a legal issue, the impact of the Uniform Time Act of 1967, and the political battles over daylight saving time. Shepard also shares insights into Indiana’s past time zone changes, including Evansville’s ties to Cen...
Mar 05, 2025•22 min•Ep. 85
Attorney Ken Nunn, one of Indiana’s most recognizable legal figures, joins The Indiana Lawyer podcast to discuss his unconventional path to success. In a conversation with host Alexa Shrake, Nunn reflects on his early struggles, including dropping out of high school, flunking multiple grades, and spending time in jail for theft before turning his life around. Now leading a firm with more than 100 employees, Nunn reflects on the lessons he has learned, the mentors who shaped him, and his advice f...
Feb 19, 2025•36 min•Ep. 84
Join Indiana Lawyer Reporter Alexa Shrake as she interviews Ray Biederman, CEO of Proteus Discovery Group, in this episode. Ray shares his journey as an attorney to co-founding Proteus, an Indiana-based electronic discovery firm. Learn how Proteus has expanded from Indiana to a coast-to-coast presence and how they utilize advanced technology like generative AI and forensic data collection. This podcast is brought to you by Taft, Today's Modern Law Firm.
Feb 05, 2025•9 min•Ep. 83
Host Alexa Shrake interviews Terry Harrell, executive director of the Indiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program, about the array of mental health services the program offers. Shrake also is joined by Managing Editor Daniel Carson and reporter Maura Johnson to provide a rundown of the past week's legal news.
Jan 22, 2025•36 min•Ep. 82
Podcast host Alexa Shrake interviews new IndyBar President Lee Christie about his plans for the upcoming year. Shrake also is joined by Indiana Lawyer Managing Editor Daniel Carson and reporter Maura Johnson to provide a roundup of the latest legal news.
Jan 08, 2025•36 min•Ep. 81
Brooke Burtnett, senior director of public policy at Dentons Bingham Greenebaum, joins podcast host Alexa Shrake to talk about takeaways from Dentons' annual legislative conference as the Indiana General Assembly prepares to kick off its 2025 budget-writing session on Jan. 8. Managing Editor Daniel Carson and reporter Maura Johnson also join the podcast to recap the top legal news from the past week.
Dec 26, 2024•17 min•Ep. 80
Podcast host Alexa Shrake interviews attorney Charles Braun about his side hobby performing as President Benjamin Harrison. Shrake also is joined by Indiana Lawyer Managing Editor Daniel Carson and reporter Maura Johnson to provide a roundup of the latest legal news on Indiana Supreme Court oral arguments and a settlement between the City of Carmel and a business
Dec 11, 2024•38 min•Ep. 79
Podcast host Alexa Shrake interviews Christiana Ochoa, dean of the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, about the new master of legal studies program the school plans to offer to non-lawyers. Shrake also is joined by Indiana Lawyer Managing Editor Daniel Carson and reporter Maura Johnson to provide a roundup of the latest legal news.
Nov 27, 2024•38 min•Ep. 78
Host Alexa Shrake talks with Indiana Commission on Court Appointed Attorneys Executive Director Derrick Mason about a new misdemeanor pilot project. Later, Managing Editor Daniel Carson and reporter Maura Johnson join Alexa in the podcast studio to provide a rundown on the latest legal news, including a lawsuit filed by IndyGo against a transit center contractor and a dispute between the financing arm of Indianapolis-based Disciples of Christ and a New York City congregation.
Nov 13, 2024•39 min•Ep. 77
In this week's extended interview reporters Alexa Shrake and Maura Johnson give a look from the media's perspective of the double murder trial in Delphi. Managing Editor Daniel Carson joins them in the studio to give the rundown on lawsuits against Indiana University, Graham Rahal automobile dealership and a federal indictment for forging a judge's signature.
Oct 30, 2024•30 min•Ep. 76
Taft Associate Garrett Hutchinson joins reporter Alexa Shrake in the studio to discuss how Taylor Swift has changed the copyright industry with her re-recordings. Managing Editor Daniel Carson and reporter Maura Johnson join Alexa in providing the latest legal news, from on a request to set the execution date of an Indiana prisoner to the Indiana Attorney General debate
Oct 16, 2024•35 min•Ep. 75
In our extended interview, Reporter Alexa Shrake talks with MacAna Gilkerson, this year's youngest Diversity in Law honoree. Alexa also joins Reporter Maura Johnson and Managing Editor Daniel Carson in providing news updates on a settlement with Hendricks County and a new appointment to the Indiana Court of Appeals.
Oct 02, 2024•25 min•Ep. 74
Get up to date on the latest legal news from Managing Editor Daniel Carson and reporters Maura Johnson and Alexa Shrake. They’ll give you the rundown on a Lafayette-based company ordered to pay millions of dollars for a fatal crash, a settlement reached for tenants in South Bend and updates on two abortion-related cases. In our extended interview, Alexa talks with Tony Paganelli of Paganelli Law Group about the state's attorney shortage.
Sep 18, 2024•22 min•Ep. 73
Managing Editor Daniel Carson and Reporters Maura Johnson and Alexa Shrake provide the latest legal news this week from a 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling on ballot access to Chief Justice Loretta Rush being elected a third term leading the Indiana Supreme Court. In the extended interview, Alexa chats with Linda Calvin, chief impact officer at Reboot Representation about Women IN Tech Week.
Sep 04, 2024•28 min•Ep. 72
In our extended interview, Reporter Alexa Shrake talks with President and CEO of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site Charlie Hyde about Harrison's legacy. Alexa also joins Reporter Maura Johnson and Managing Editor Daniel Carson in providing news updates on cameras in the courtroom and the NextGen Bar Exam.
Aug 21, 2024•34 min•Ep. 71
Get up to date on the latest legal news from Managing Editor Daniel Carson and reporters Maura Johnson and Alexa Shrake. They’ll give you the rundown on an Indiana Court of Appeals ruling of a fatal IndyGo incident, judicial vacancies and a lawsuit against Indiana University alleging discriminatory scholarships. In our extended interview, Alexa talks with Indiana University-Indianapolis pre-law advisor Shana Stump about changes to the LSAT and undergraduate interest in law school.
Aug 07, 2024•29 min•Ep. 70
Managing Editor Daniel Carson and Reporter Maura Johnson provide the latest legal news this week from a lawsuit against Monroe County to the Democrat nominee for Indiana Attorney General. In the extended interview, Reporter Alexa Shrake chats with Evansville Bar Association President Greg Freyberger about his role as president and the challenges the association faces.
Jul 24, 2024•23 min•Ep. 69
In this week's extended interview, Reporter Alexa Shrake chats with Allen County Bar Association President Sarah Beiswanger about her role as president and the challenges that the association faces. Alexa also joins Reporter Maura Johnson and Managing Editor Daniel Carson in providing news updates on U.S. Supreme Court decisions and an abortion poll.
Jul 10, 2024•27 min•Ep. 68
Get up to date on the latest legal news from Managing Editor Daniel Carson and reporters Maura Johnson and Alexa Shrake. They’ll give you the rundown on a new JUDGES Act in Congress as well as a lawsuit against the city of Loogootee for allegedly blocking this year's Pride festival. In our extended interview, Alexa talks with Lucy Dollens and Deborah Pollack-Milgate about the Indiana State Bar Association's women empowerment series.
Jun 26, 2024•27 min•Ep. 67
Managing Editor Daniel Carson and Reporters Maura Johnson and Alexa Shrake are back in the podcast studio to give the latest on a Tesla settlement and the theft investigation against former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel. In our extended interview, Alexa talks with Indianapolis sports attorney William Bock about anti-doping efforts and the upcoming U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Indianapolis.
Jun 12, 2024•35 min•Ep. 66
Get up to date on the latest legal news from Managing Editor Daniel Carson and reporters Maura Johnson and Alexa Shrake. They’ll give you the rundown on a $4.5 million civil suit against former Clark County Sheriff Jamey Noel and some members of his family, a manslaughter charge against an inmate for a deadly stabbing of a fellow prisoner at the Terre Haute federal prison, and an exonerated man’s lawsuit accusing Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officers of framing him for murder. In our extende...
May 29, 2024•26 min•Ep. 65
Managing Editor Daniel Carson and Reporters Maura Johnson and Alexa Shrake are back in the podcase studio to give the latest on news with the Delphi murder trial and lawsuits due to protests over the war in Gaza. In this week’s extended interview, Alexa chats with Senior Corporate Counsel and Chief Diversity Officer with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Jimmie McMillian.
May 15, 2024•27 min•Ep. 64
