Scott Chinn Named President of Indianapolis Bar Association

Scott Chinn of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP was sworn in by U.S. Circuit Judge David F. Hamilton as the 134th president of the Indianapolis Bar Association (IndyBar) at a reception on Jan. 12, 2012. With his installation, Chinn continues a tradition of bar association leadership by Faegre Baker Daniels attorneys.

Founded in 1878 by former U.S. President Benjamin Harrison and other lawyers, IndyBar is a voluntary bar association with more than 5,000 members. Its mission is to serve its members, promote justice and enhance the legal profession. IndyBar is recognized nationally as a progressive organization, a heritage Chinn plans to foster as president.

In 2012, Chinn is focused on continuing and enhancing longstanding IndyBar programs and offerings such as the IndyBar Review course, pro bono outreach and judicial election surveys. As the only local bar association in the U.S. that offers a bar review course for law students, IndyBar is currently implementing a strategic plan to improve the already successful IndyBar Review. An IndyBar special committee is developing methods to increase the organization's pro bono outreach and assistance, particularly in light of difficult economic times. Finally, in advance of 2012 judicial elections in Indiana, the bar association's Judicial Excellence Political Action Committee is surveying members for evaluation of incumbent judges and judicial candidates for the 2012 ballot.

More recent IndyBar initiatives Chinn is heralding include a new online lawyer referral service—one of the first few such services to be offered by bar associations nationwide—and enhanced communication to members. Chinn believes the association's top goal is to continue providing value to its membership through legal education, programs for business development, vibrant substantive sections and networking.

"I am quite conscious that the board members and I have won only an opportunity to serve," Chinn said during his installation speech. "We recognize the occasion of this installation to our positions not to celebrate our achievements, but to mark the beginning of our service obligations for this year."

Chinn, whose practice at Faegre Baker Daniels focuses on public sector litigation, transactions and advisory services, has been active in IndyBar leadership for several years, serving on the board of directors from 2005-07 and as legal counsel to the president in 2008. The ascent to the presidency involves a four-year track that ensures continuity of leadership and programming. Chinn served as first vice president in 2010 and president-elect in 2011, and he will maintain duties for the bar as immediate past president in 2013.

Faegre Baker Daniels' professionals have a history of leadership within IndyBar. For example, David Herzog served as general counsel for the association in 2011, Andrew Soshnick is a past at-large director and past chair of the Family Law Section, Kathy Osborn and Jane Dall Wilson have each served as chair of the Appellate Practice Section, and Andrew Campbell has served as chair and co-chair of the Pro Bono Standing Committee. Brita Horvath is a past co-chair of the Pro Bono Standing Committee and in 2012 is chairing IndyBar's Diversity Job Fair.

"Scott is the most recent example of Faegre Baker Daniels' commitment to the Indianapolis Bar Association," said Tom Froehle, the firm's chief operating partner. "Our professionals have continually provided significant time and financial support to the bar association through leadership positions and active membership, and that's a proud tradition for our firm."