Allen County Bar Association hosting some of the best legal minds for a “crucial conversation”

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Some of the best legal minds in our area are sitting down to have what the Allen County Bar Association calls a “crucial conversation.”

On Thursday, May 1, 2025, at noon, the ACBA will host state and local judges, lawyers, and professors in a panel discussion called “The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One.”

The ACBA says the important and timely conversation can be viewed online HERE

The following was released ahead of Thursday’s event:

Panelists will include the Honorable Derek R. Molter, Indiana Supreme Court Justice; Paul Helmke, former Fort Wayne Mayor and current Indiana University Professor; Cathleen Shrader, attorney at BarrettMcNagny; and moderator Rachel Blakeman, Community Research Institute Director at Purdue Fort Wayne.

The Preamble to the Constitution boldly asserts that the Framers established the Constitution as representatives of “We the People, in Order to Form a More Perfect Union.” On this Law Day, we explore and renew our duties to one another under the Constitution and our democratic norms. The Constitution establishes a framework for government that unites us as one citizenry, through means such as our representative government, jury service, and a regular Census. And through this commitment to our Union, we each provide for the common good through government responses to national crises and natural disasters, and through community and advocacy programs for students and adults.

Justice Derek Molter was appointed to the Indiana Supreme Court by Governor Eric Holcomb on June 10, 2022, and was sworn in on September 1. He was previously appointed to the Court of Appeals by Governor Eric Holcomb and began his service on October 1, 2021. He is originally from Newton County. Before joining the Court of Appeals, Justice Molter was a partner in the Litigation Practice Group at Ice Miller in Indianapolis. He led the appellate practice and handled appeals in state and federal courts throughout the United States. He also represented pro bono clients defending criminal charges and pursuing discrimination, civil rights, employment, and housing claims. Prior to joining Ice Miller, he was an attorney in Washington, D.C., at Arnold & Porter LLP. He was also a law clerk for the Honorable Theresa Springmann with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, and during law school, he worked as a legal intern for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary.

Paul Helmke former president and CEO of the Brady Center/Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and three-term mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a professor of practice at O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the founding director of the Civic Leaders Living-Learning Center. Helmke’s professional interests include law and public policy, civic education and participation, mayoral and nonprofit leadership, urban issues, politics, and gun violence prevention. His experience on gun control issues lands him frequent mentions and interviews in national news stories and programs.

Cathleen Shrader Focuses on appellate practice and complex business litigation, Cathleen Shrader has extensive experience in civil litigation. She is experienced in representing clients at all levels of the appellate process; businesses in contract, warranty, intellectual property, and other disputes; and trustees, beneficiaries, and personal representatives in complex estate and trust disputes.

Learn more about the ACBA HERE