‘Trial work is the closest thing to being on the football field’
Gary attorney Michael Tolbert inducted as president of Indiana State Bar Association
Michael Tolbert loves everything about the legal profession, but his passion is arguing in front of a jury.
“I’m a chess player and a retired athlete, that carries over into my practice. Trial work is the closest thing to being on the football field, it’s the excitement of getting ready and preparing for something,” he said.
Now, he can spread his enthusiasm across the state.
Tolbert, who practices law in downtown Gary with his wife, Shelice, was recently inducted as president of the Indiana State Bar Association, an organization of about 12,000 lawyers in every county in the state.
He also was honored this month as “Defense Lawyer of the Year” by the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana.
A graduate of the Valparaiso University School of Law, Tolbert and his wife founded Tolbert & Tolbert in Gary in 2015 and their office is at 1085 Broadway.
A past president of the Lake County Bar Association and the James C. Kimbrough Bar Association, Tolbert succeeds Leslie Craig Henderzahs, of Fishers, as state bar association president.
“Michael brings a contagious energy for the legal community and passion that, combined with his keen knowledge of business and the law, will be key characteristics in ensuring the Indiana State Bar Association remains the leading voice for our profession.” Henderzahs said.
Griffith attorney Matthew Fech, president of the Lake County Bar Association, has known Tolbert since they played high school basketball against each other in the 1990s. Tolbert played for Calumet and Fech represented Griffith.
“Mike is somebody who is a person of integrity and a man of principle…. Mike is just as honest and genuine of a person that you could ever ask for. If he tells you something he’s going to do, you can take it to the bank and know it’s
going to be done.”
Tolbert, whose firm is legal counsel for the Gary Community School Corp. and Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority, said in his role as bar association president, he wants to galvanize local bar associations and provide more support.
“It will require me reaching out to bar leaders” over the state’s 92 counties, said Tolbert who plans to hold panel discussions and seminars. “It’s about being a good steward in what has been entrusted in us.”
Tolbert, 45, said he also wants to tap into the knowledge base of past presidents to capitalize on their expertise. “I want to create a presidential forum, it will strengthen leadership,” he said.
Growing up in Northwest Indiana, Tolbert, who lives in Crown Point, said he followed a long line of Gary residents to VU’s law school. “There were so many great lawyers and judges who went to VU, he said.
The law school, however, ceased operation this year.
“I’m not happy about that. I think you’ll see the effect of that on our legal community. A lot of local lawyers and judges are home grown,” Tolbert said.
The award from the Defense Trial Counsel, an association of lawyers who defend clients in civil litigation, surprised Tolbert.
“It knocked me over. It’s one thing to practice law and do something you love. It’s another thing to be recognized by your peers,” said Tolbert who said his wife is his MVP.
“My wife, Shelice, is just a phenomenal lawyer and she does so many things to help me be the lawyer and man I am. I’m happy for her, our office and Gary… This is a win for the region.”
Other local lawyers also hold new positions with the state bar including Renee Ortega, Hammond, secretary; James Dillon, Merrillville, treasurer and Shontrai Irving, Hammond, counsel of the president.