Browse Alumni News
Some Recent News
2007 DSA Ceremony & Reception
For their extraordinary dedication to service of society and community, Indiana Law congratulated
three outstanding alumni as recipients of the 2007 Distinguished Service Award.
Lowell E. Baier, JD'64, serves as current president of Baier Properties, Inc., and executive vice president and president-elect of the Boone and Crockett Club—the nation's oldest wildlife conservation organization. An accomplished attorney, builder, and conservationist, Baier is also a scholar. His work has been instrumental in jurisprudence related to international trade.
Jane E. Raley, JD'82, is senior staff attorney at Northwestern University's Center for Wrongful Convictions and a former assistant Illinois appellate defender. She represented hundreds of indigent felony defendants as an assistant Illinois appellate defender from 1982 until 1997, winning reversals in appellate courts throughout the state and in the Illinois Supreme Court.
Kenneth R. Yahne, JD'68, retired as senior counsel with Lincoln Financial Group after 35 years. Yahne is responsible for the development of the Lincoln Life Pro-Bono Legal Services Program that facilitates the delivery of legal services to those who cannot afford an attorney. He is also co-founder of the Indiana Equal Justice Fund, which has raised hundreds of thousands to support state legal assistance programs.
Learn more about the recipients. Or view the video or download the MP3.
Tinder Nominated to 7th Circuit
The Honorable John D. Tinder, JD'75, was recently nominated by President George
W. Bush to serve on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago. If confirmed,
he will be the first jurist with Indiana roots appointed to the 7th Circuit
in two decades.
Tinder's nomination will go to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and then to the full Senate for a vote. Upon confirmation, he would have a lifetime appointment under Article III of the U.S. Constitution. Tinder was selected to fill the vacancy left by Judge Daniel A. Manion, who will take senior status.
For 20 years, Tinder has served the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana in Indianapolis—one of the nation's busiest District Courts. "Judge Tinder is a very intelligent and fair jurist who respects the law and the roles of the various particpants in the cases he hears," said Kathleen DeLaney, JD'95, managing partner of DeLaney & DeLaney in Indianapolis. "He will be a wonderful addition to the 7th Circuit."
Memorial: Stephen Mark Ritz, JD'89
Stephen Mark Ritz, JD'89, passed away February 13, 2007 of respiratory failure, a complication from treatment of a childhood cancer. Steve was born August 23, 1962 in Midland, Michigan.
He was an attorney and chief financial officer and legal counsel for Ritz Communications, a public relations agency he established with his sister. Previously, Steve was president of Newport Pension Management, managing its operations and growth until selling the company. He began his career as an attorney at the Chicago law firm of Chapman and Cutler.
Steve earned a bachelor's degree in Biology from Northwestern University and did post-graduate work in the field of Molecular Biology; his work was published in scientific journals, including The Journal of Neuroscience.
Steve enjoyed many personal and professional achievements. He was an Eagle Scout and for more than 30 years enjoyed training and showing Golden Retrievers. He was past president of both the Northwestern Club of Indianapolis and the Indiana Association of Financial Planners. His kindness and generosity, demonstrated by his numerous volunteer activities, touched the lives of many.
Rainier Gonzalez, JD'98, Named "Rising Star Entrepreneur"
Pacer Health Corporation, a Miami-based owner-operator of acute care hospitals, medical treatment centers
and psychiatric care facilities, recently announced that Rainier Gonzalez, JD'98, was selected as The
Hispanic Business Magazine's "Rising Star Entrepreneur." Mr. Gonzalez, who has been Pacer's Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer and helped found the company in 2003, received the award for his outstanding
efforts in growing Pacer Health to a $30 million company with over 400 employees in approximately 3 years.
Indy Bar Association, Foundation and Indiana Pro Bono Commission Honor Alumni
Sherry Clarke, JD'81, was one of two Hoosiers to receive the Randall T. Shepard Award for commitment and contribution to the Indiana pro bono movement. Clarke served as the plan administrator for the District 2 Pro Bono Legal Services Committee from its inception in 2001 until her recent retirement in April and was instrumental in organizing the first Talk to a Lawyer program. She also worked closely with the Pro Bono Committee of the St. Joseph County Bar Association to develop and implement its Modest Means program.
At the Indianapolis Bar Association/Indianapolis Bar Foundation Recognition Awards Luncheon on Nov. 16. Thomas L. Davis, JD'75, served as a member of the 2006 IBA Bench Bar Conference Steering Committee that received the President's Award for Service to the IBA. The committee demonstrated outstanding and unique service to the IBA and/or legal profession in general during 2006. Erin A. Clancy, JD'98, of Kightlinger & Gray LLP, was named the Young Lawyer of the Year for her leadership and involvement with the Young Lawyers Division.
The IBF also presented Indiana Law alumni Lance Wonderlin, JD'89, and Matthew Gutwein, JD'88, with the Pro Bono Publico Award. The IBF recognizes the extraordinary contributions that are made to ensure that legal services are available to persons who otherwise could not afford them. The award also enhances public awareness of the substantial voluntary services rendered annually by Indiana lawyers.