The Indiana Lawyer Podcast with Maura Johnson

IBJ Media Podcast Network
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Navigating the legal world can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. The Indiana Lawyer Podcast is here to help you understand the laws impacting your life, work, and community. Whether you’re a legal professional, a business owner, or someone who wants to know how Indiana law shapes the world around you, this podcast is for you. Hosted by Maura Johnson—a passionate legal reporter—we’re here to bring you clarity and insights like no one else can. This podcast is brought to you by Taft, Today’s Modern Law Firm.

  1. Law student recruiting is changing fast. Barnes & Thornburg partner explains why.

    4D AGO

    Law student recruiting is changing fast. Barnes & Thornburg partner explains why.

    Law firms are now locking in first-year law students for summer positions before they have finished a single full semester. David Durm, a partner at Barnes & Thornburg in Indianapolis, breaks down the forces reshaping law student recruiting and what students must do to stand out.Durm, who has coordinated law student recruiting for more than 25 years, explains how the traditional two-L summer associate model has shifted dramatically, with some Am Law 100 firms now extending offers to one-L students in January for summer classes more than a year away. He also addresses how artificial intelligence is influencing hiring decisions, why Indianapolis remains a strong recruiting market despite a statewide lawyer shortage and what Barnes & Thornburg looks for beyond grades when evaluating candidates.

    30 min
  2. Indianapolis criminal defense attorney Jim Voyles Jr. on representing Mike Tyson, the Indianapolis 500 and his new book, “All Rise: My Life in Trials with the Famous, Infamous and the Misunderstood"

    MAR 18

    Indianapolis criminal defense attorney Jim Voyles Jr. on representing Mike Tyson, the Indianapolis 500 and his new book, “All Rise: My Life in Trials with the Famous, Infamous and the Misunderstood"

    Indianapolis criminal defense attorney Jim Voyles Jr. reflects on nearly 58 years of practicing law, from representing Indianapolis Colts and Pacers players to serving as local counsel during the Mike Tyson sexual assault trial. Voyles discusses his philosophy of keeping clients silent, the high-profile cases that shaped his career and his new book "All Rise: My Life in Trials with the Famous, Infamous and the Misunderstood," co-written with motorsports writer Mark Bourcier. He also discusses his lifelong passion for motorsports, his family's Indianapolis 500 traditions and his connection to the racing community.

    37 min
  3. Indiana Court of Appeals explained: Chief Judge Elizabeth Tavitas on the appeals process

    MAR 4

    Indiana Court of Appeals explained: Chief Judge Elizabeth Tavitas on the appeals process

    Indiana Court of Appeals Chief Judge Elizabeth Tavitas explains how appeals work in Indiana, including how the court reviews briefs and trial transcripts and issues written opinions. She breaks down what the Court of Appeals handles and which cases go to the Indiana Tax Court or directly to the Indiana Supreme Court, and notes the court produces about 2,100 opinions a year. Tavitas also shares her path from Lake County deputy prosecutor to juvenile public defender, private practice, magistrate and a Lake Superior Court family court judge in Gary before joining the Court of Appeals in 2018. She discusses access to justice, civics education through We the People, mentoring law students, and efforts to improve judicial safety, plus a traveling oral argument with the Indiana Historical Society on April 28 tied to outreach for the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.

    32 min
  4. DePauw pre-law adviser on law school applications and helping students navigate legal careers

    FEB 18

    DePauw pre-law adviser on law school applications and helping students navigate legal careers

    As law school hopefuls begin preparing for the application process, The Indiana Lawyer Podcast is sitting down with experts to glean insight on how best to prepare for the task. In this episode, we hear from Colleen McCracken Renick, a DePauw University pre-law adviser, who explains how the university's career services office supports students and alumni interested in law school, from choosing coursework and majors to building extracurricular experience. The conversation also covers DePauw’s pro bono legal clinic in Putnam County, connections with the local courthouse, student groups and alumni networking, plus how the university helps with LSAT prep and applications, including personal statements and law school resumes. Renick also explains how to think about timelines and applying early, and why gap years can be a smart step before law school. Finally, Renick shares advice on protecting your mental and physical well-being during prep, including how to establish routines, support systems, and strategies for stress and test anxiety.For more information on DePauw University's pre-law pathway, visit this link: https://www.depauw.edu/academics/pathways/law/

    29 min
  5. Notre Dame Law professor and former federal law enforcement official explains ICE and federal enforcement in Minneapolis

    FEB 4

    Notre Dame Law professor and former federal law enforcement official explains ICE and federal enforcement in Minneapolis

    Jimmy Gurulé is a professor a the University of Notre Dame Law School and former U.S. Department of the Treasury undersecretary for enforcement with decades of experience that include oversight of major federal law enforcement agencies and teaching criminal law, national security law and criminal procedure. In this conversation, he draws on decades as a federal and state prosecutor and senior law enforcement official to explain what U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is legally tasked with doing and how that differs from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. Gurulé talks about federal officer training, why the large federal deployment in Minneapolis is unusual, how cooperation with local police has eroded, and what accountability and trust-rebuilding could look like.

    30 min
  6. Preparing for the LSAT: Classes, Study Plans, and Recent Changes

    JAN 21

    Preparing for the LSAT: Classes, Study Plans, and Recent Changes

    As law school hopefuls begin preparing for the application process, The Indiana Lawyer Podcast is sitting down with experts to glean insight on how best to prepare for the task. In this episode, Vincent Gullo, University of Notre Dame Law School student and Indiana University Northwest adjunct instructor, joins the podcast to explain how IU Northwest supports future law students through its in-person LSAT prep class and other guidance to help students feel prepared for testing. Hear from Gullo as he breaks down how to build an LSAT study plan, why diagnostic exams matter, how to set realistic goals based on target schools, and why full practice tests and detailed review are essential. He also shares how LSAT prep skills translate to law school and what recent LSAT format changes test-takers should be mindful of. Finally, Gullo shares his practical advice on how to avoid unnecessary stress when studying, including why students should stay off anonymous forums and how to advocate for yourself when test prep strategies don't fit your learning style. For more information on IU Northwest's LSAT prep course, visit this link: https://events.iu.edu/northwest/event/2138479-lsat-prep-course For more information on the LSAC LawHub referenced in the episode, visit this link: https://www.lawhub.org/?_gl=1*muf5vj*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAiA7LzLBhAgEiwAjMWzCOG1EVqNb0KJq9gLBfrP9zwLYDwTQCdw88d7opmrZPW6P1ngn3kjqhoC9HYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&gbraid=0AAAAABrC4153v_6xEVzxs9EuH2YPPvS04

    38 min
  7. From high school dropout to legal celebrity: The life story of attorney Ken Nunn

    JAN 7

    From high school dropout to legal celebrity: The life story of attorney Ken Nunn

    Ken Nunn, one of Indiana’s most prominent personal injury attorneys, died Dec. 24 at the age of 85. In  February, The Indiana Lawyer Podcast sat down with him and asked him to reflect on his decades-long career and his unconventional path to success. In this encore edition of the podcast, Nunn tells of his early struggles, including dropping out of high school, flunking multiple grades, and spending time in jail for theft before turning his life around. Nunn shares the lessons he learned, reflects on the mentors who shaped him and offers advice for young lawyers entering the profession.

    38 min
  8. Ashley Hart on leading Indiana’s Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (JLAP)

    12/24/2025

    Ashley Hart on leading Indiana’s Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (JLAP)

    Ashley Hart, the new executive director of Indiana’s Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program, discusses her path from dual degree student at McKinney School of Law and the IU School of Social Work to leading JLAP’s interdisciplinary team. She explains JLAP’s mission to provide confidential and compassionate support to judges, lawyers, law students, bar applicants, and court employees, along with the program’s outreach efforts, volunteer network, therapy dog team, and statewide services. Hart also talks about evolving mental health needs in the legal profession, secondary trauma, support groups, law school outreach, physical wellbeing, and JLAP’s role in voluntary and formal monitoring cases. She highlights 2026 goals including volunteer engagement, staff training, crisis response services, and continued education efforts across Indiana’s legal community.

    25 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Navigating the legal world can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. The Indiana Lawyer Podcast is here to help you understand the laws impacting your life, work, and community. Whether you’re a legal professional, a business owner, or someone who wants to know how Indiana law shapes the world around you, this podcast is for you. Hosted by Maura Johnson—a passionate legal reporter—we’re here to bring you clarity and insights like no one else can. This podcast is brought to you by Taft, Today’s Modern Law Firm.

Information

  • Channel
    IBJ Media Podcast Network
  • Creator
    IBJ Media
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    113
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All Rights Reserved

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