Off the Record

Off the Record: Meet the Team Mar 02, 2021

Off the Record is back for 2021, and we're welcoming some new faces to the team! Join us as we meet three new hosts who will help bring even more stories of Indy's lawyers to life: Kerry Hyatt Bennett of the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Bianca Black of Littler Mendelson PC and Eric Schmadeke of Densborn Blachly LLP.
Show Notes:
OnyxFest
Who the Bleep Did I Marry (subscription required)
2021 Bench Bar Conference

Fourth of July Message from Off the Record Jul 04, 2020

Winfield Ong: Judicial Nominations, Michael Flynn and the Rule of Law Jun 30, 2020

Winfield Ong is an experienced federal litigator and the former criminal chief for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana. In addition, he is a President Obama judicial nominee for the U.S. District Court, and he is a current white collar criminal defense attorney at Dentons Bingham Greenebaum.
During this interview, the main topics of discussion were Winfield's journey through the judicial nomination process and Attorney General Bill Barr's decision to move to dismiss the criminal case against General Michael Flynn.
Since then, unrest has swept the nation as a result of the killing of George Floyd. Though this interview took place several days beforehand and the topics seemed unrelated at first, many themes included are relevant and valuable to the situation we find ourselves in today: the rule of law, the power and discretion that lawyers have, and how that power should never be abused.

George Floyd: Race, Power & Our Community (with Jimmie McMillian and Michael Tolbert) Jun 03, 2020

The death of George Floyd has sparked outrage across the country and brought the many issues surrounding systemic racism to the forefront. Our community is no exception. Difficult conversations are starting to happen, and amid the protests, anger and tears, many have questioned what they can do to help. In this special episode of Off the Record, host James Bell talks with two Indiana bar leaders, Michael Tolbert and Jimmie McMillian, who provide their perspective on the situation.

Michael Tolbert is an attorney in the Gary, Indiana firm of Tolbert & Tolbert, where he is a respected litigator and frequent presenter. He is a two-time president of the James C. Kimbrough Minority Bar Association, past president of the Porter County Chapter of the American Inns of Court, President of the Lake County Bar Association and is currently President-Elect of the Indiana State Bar Association, where he will serve as president in 2021.

Jimmie McMillian is a former law clerk to Justice Frank Sullivan and a former partner in an AmLaw 100 law firm and is currently the senior corporate counsel for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He is chair of the board of the Marion County Public Defender Association and is on the board of the Indianapolis Urban League. Jimmie is a past president of the Marion County Bar Association and is currently serving as President-Elect of the Indianapolis Bar, where he will serve as president in 2021.

Podcasting from Isolation: Writer Tom Chiarella on Roger Penske, IMS & COVID-19 Apr 23, 2020

Roger Penske assumed ownership of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in January 2020. Just three months later, the greatest spectacle in racing was rescheduled from May to August amid this unprecedented public health crisis. Writer Tom Chiarella talks about a recent interview with Penske, plus his own personal experience with the COVID-19 pandemic during this episode of Off the Record with James Bell.

Off the Record: Podcasting from Isolation (And Talking Baseball) with Judge PJ Dietrick Apr 02, 2020

Before he took his seat on the Marion Superior Court bench, Judge PJ Dietrick had a decidedly different career as a minor league baseball player. Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 6th round of the 1984 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, Judge Dietrick made his way from Medford, Oregon to Tacoma, Washington (with a few stops along the way) as he chased his baseball dreams. Join us as host James Bell chats with Judge Dietrick about his past baseball life, including run-ins with stars like Mark McGwire.

Off the Record: Podcasting from Isolation with Judge Marc Rothenberg Mar 26, 2020

Thanks to the wonders of technology, we're bringing you new episodes of Off the Record with James Bell during this time of isolation and social distancing. In this episode, James talks with Judge Marc Rothenberg of Marion Superior Court.

Best of Off the Record: Monica Foster Mar 24, 2020

Enjoy one of our favorite episodes of Off the Record, where host James Bell talks with Monica Foster of the Indiana Federal Community Defenders about arguing at the U.S. Supreme Court, her experience defending 15-year-old death who was sentenced to death, the Buffalo Bills and more.
Plus, enjoy a brand new intro that explores a question every attorney has pondered: would a Hufflepuff make a good lawyer?

Impeachment: Hanging with Dershowitz. An Interview with Esquire Writer Tom Chiarella Feb 25, 2020

One writer got a chance to follow attorney to the stars and Harvard Law School Professor Alan Dershowitz as he prepared for his historic argument against the impeachment of President Donald Trump. That writer was Tom Chiarella, Esquire columnist and Professor Emeritus at DePauw University. In addition to Dershowitz, Chiarella has interviewed and profiled celebrities like Charlize Theron, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman, James Franco, Clive Owen, Kate Beckinsale, Ryan Gosling, Guy Ritchie, Halle Berry, Ben Affleck, Billy Crudup, Ashton Kutcher and Bill Clinton.
Join us for this episode of Off the Record with James Bell where we talk to Tom about the experience of shadowing Dershowitz, how interviewing celebrities relates to the practice of law and the answer every Colts fan wants to know: who's a nicer guy, Tom Brady or Peyton Manning?

Off the Record with James Bell: Dean Andy Klein, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Feb 11, 2020

Join us as we chat with America's favorite law school dean, Dean Andy Klein of the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. Dean Klein shares his path to academia, what's happening in law schools these days and his plans for the future after he steps down as dean later this year.

Off the Record with James Bell: Andy Campbell, Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP Jan 28, 2020

It's a new decade for the IndyBar, and leading the association into it is President Andy Campbell, a partner at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath. In this episode, we talk law firm mergers, political science and life at the University of Montana, work/life balance, what's next for the IndyBar and more.

A Message from the Host Jan 15, 2020

Tune in for important IndyBar updates and musings on celebrities and second chances.

Off the Record: Philip "Skip" Kappes, Lewis Kappes PC Dec 17, 2019

A number of notable things happened in 1948. One of them? Indianapolis lawyer Philip "Skip" Kappes passed the bar and became a practicing attorney. Since then, he's lived through countless changes in the profession and in our community. Some things have stayed the same, though. Join us on this episode as we chat with one of Indy's legal legends.

Off the Record: Heather Wilson, Frost Brown Todd Nov 21, 2019

Female representation on the bench appears to be at an all-time high in Indiana, with women leading the Indiana Supreme Court, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, the U.S. Bankrupcty Court for the Southern District of Indiana, the Indiana Court of Appeals, the Marion Superior Court and more. But where do we stand with women in private practice?
Frost Brown Todd Indianapolis office Member in Charge Heather Wilson joined us to talk about leading a large law firm in Indianapolis and about diversity trends she's seeing in private practice.

Off the Record: Larry Pozner Nov 12, 2019

Attendees at the 2019 IndyBar Bench Bar Conference were treated to several sessions presented by one of the nation's foremost experts on cross examination, civil litigation and criminal defense, Larry Pozner. After wrapping up his presentations, Pozner was kind enough to sit down with Off the Record host James Bell to talk about growing up in Indianapolis, the stress of trial work, criminal practice versus civil practice and much more.
Pozner is the author of "Cross-Examination: Science and Techniques" and focuses his practice on complex civil and criminal litigation—as well as the lecture circuit. He is litigation counsel for the Denver Broncos Football Club.
In the area of complex commercial litigation, Pozner represents both plaintiffs and defendants in cases involving fraud (including healthcare fraud), professional malpractice, breach of contract, litigation against trustees, environmental matters, theft of trade secrets, and copyright and trademark infringement.

In the criminal arena, Pozner began his career as a public defender—and continues his high profile criminal defense work as a private practitioner. In 1998, he was elected president of the 10,000 member National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Off the Record: Brian Paul, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP Sep 24, 2019

First Monday is coming, and you know what that means...all eyes will be on the United States Supreme Court as it opens its new term.
Brian Paul of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP joins us on this episode of Off the Record with James Bell to provide an update on where the court is and a preview of where it might go in this term. Plus, hear a moving tribute to former Dean Norman Lefstein of the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, who passed away on August 29, 2019.
To subscribe to updates on the U.S. Supreme Court from Brian and the team at Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, click here.

Off the Record: Judge Carr Darden Sep 10, 2019

For many, the era of Jim Crow laws and the Civil Rights Movement are topics learned in school. Others, like Judge Carr Darden, experienced the struggle for social justice firsthand. On this episode of Off the Record, host James Bell speaks with Judge Darden about his life, his experiences and his words of advice for the future.
Judge Darden was named to the Court of Appeals of Indiana by Governor Evan Bayh in October 1994 and was retained on the Court by election in 1998 and 2008. Prior to his appointment, he served as a presiding judge in the Marion County Superior Court and the Marion County Municipal Court systems. He also served as the Chief Deputy State Public Defender. Judge Darden retired from the Court of Appeals on July 21, 2012 and was appointed as a senior judge by the Indiana Supreme Court on July 24, 2012.

A Quick Update From Our Host Aug 05, 2019

Wondering where new episodes of Off the Record with James Bell have been? Never fear! We're taking a little summer break but will be back with brand new episodes this fall. We've already got four episodes recorded and are excited to feature guests from a more diverse range of backgrounds and practice areas.
Have an idea for a guest or want to share feedback? Contact our host by email at james@paganelligroup.com or tweet him at @jamesjbell.

Off the Record: Rick Kammen, Kammen & Moudy (Part 2) Jun 18, 2019

When we last left Rick, he was facing uncertainty about his representation of alleged USS Cole bombing mastermind Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri. Get the latest on this stranger-than-fiction story, including a bombshell decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in April 2019, as James Bell talks to Rick again almost a year later.

Off the Record: Rick Kammen, Kammen & Moudy (Part 1) Jun 04, 2019

In November 2017, Indy lawyer Rick Kammen made headlines when he refused to return to Guantanamo Bay after his request to withdraw from representation of alleged USS Cole bombing mastermind Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri was rescinded. Rick had served as lead defense attorney for Nashiri, who is facing the death penalty, since 2008.
Rick's experience in Guantanamo is a tale that includes torture, classified information, and CIA Director Gina Haspel.
Don't miss this inside look at a stranger-than-fiction story involving one of our own IndyBar members. Part 2, to be released on June 18, will delve even deeper into the latest developments on the story.

Off the Record: Doug Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway May 20, 2019

Greetings Race Fans! It's May in Indy, and we all have one thing on our minds: the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Don't miss this opportunity to meet the man behind the month of May at IMS. We're talking to Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles about his first Indy 500, what it's like to come to work at IMS every day, his experiences as a racing team owner and in politics, and how he balances being a lawyer AND a promoter.
Doug Boles was named president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2013, having previously served IMS as head of communications. Prior to joining IMS, Boles had been a co-owner of IndyCar team Panther Racing, a lawyer representing racing sponsors, and director of governmental and corporate affairs for former Mayor Steve Goldsmith.

Off the Record: Jim Reed, Dentons Bingham Greenebaum May 07, 2019

On this episode of Off the Record, we'll talk with Jim Reed, a divorce lawyer, a family lawyer, and a relationship transition lawyer at Dentons Bingham Greenebaum in Indianapolis. Jim has been involved with divorce cases with some of the largest marital estates in Indiana. In this podcast, Jim talks about farming, hairdos, food, how the practice of law has changed over the years, what he learned from his mentor Jim Buck, and importantly, how to handle clients and how to transition relationships.
Jim has concentrated his practice in the legal aspect of relationship transitions of all types since graduating from law school. He represents many professionals (medical, legal, accounting, financial), business owners and executives, community leaders, high-profile individuals in entertainment, sports and politics, and the spouses/partners of these individuals. Because of his experience and the personal nature of the practice, Jim has helped individuals and families find solutions to complex relationship and legal transitions. His practice includes counseling cohabitating partners in implementing plans for estate transitions, health care decision making, joint ownership and survivorship, as well as representing partners in the conclusion of relationships, custody and support of their children, and the division of property and assets. Jim approaches the representation of his clients with years of diverse experience and from a broad perspective.

Off the Record: Monica Foster, Indiana Federal Community Defenders Apr 18, 2019

On this episode of Off the Record, we'll talk to Monica Foster of Indiana Federal Community Defenders. A nationally requested expert and lecturer, Monica assumed the leadership of the Indiana Federal Defenders in 2012. She joined the Federal Defender Network following a distinguished career in private practice, providing representation to indigent persons charged with the death penalty, both at trial and on appeal.
Monica has argued in state and federal courts throughout the country, including the United States Supreme Court. In private practice, Monica represented the government of Mexico when their nationals were charged with capital or potentially capital crimes in the United States. Monica’s commitment to public service stretches back to her work during law school with the Indiana Public Defender’s Council. Since that time, she has remained dedicated to service of the indigent, a drive that has led her to her new home with the Indiana Federal Community Defender’s office.
When she is not at the office, she is a relentless rescuer of small dogs. And in an effort to bring peace to the Middle East one young Arab boy at a time, she and her husband have hosted foreign exchange students from the Middle East for the past eight years.

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