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 in the legal profession.

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 too early.

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 northwest Indiana.

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.

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 seen federal judges issue temporary injunctions halting the policy's enforcement.

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 value evaluations, and legal implications for student-athletes. Walsh also offers insights into how NIL prepares athletes for life beyond college sports and where this area of law might be headed.

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 civic education and community service.

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 Central Time and Governor Mitch Daniels’ push for daylight saving time in 2005.

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 for young lawyers entering the profession.

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.