Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 July 2002 — Page 6

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Court who put me onthe bench.” Disappointment is a word that tew would use todescribeJimison She has dedicated mudi of her tm to various public service positions, including master commissioner, adjunct professor (1U- Kokomo, Ball State University and Franklin College), and public hodth administrator with Indiana State Department of Health. An active life in poUtks led Jimison to ran as Indianapolis' Democratic mayoral candidate in 1995. Currently ranning for reflection as judge, Jimison is also a published songwriter and has presented a play and musicaL both of which have been previously shownduring Indiana Black Expo Additionally, Jimison has plans to openacenter for non-violent offenders as an alternative to jail. Td like tohelpconw intoexistence a department of treatment in Indiana where judges can send people who are addicted and convicted of non-violent crimes, rather than to the Department of Correction." she said. Jimison doesn't know how long this goal will take, but says she wants to meet with members of the General Assembly to get the know-how and gain support. Indiana now has three additional African-American women judges. Even still, Jimison feels that there is much more work to be done. "We need a judicial center. We need a courthouse where we can have , additional courts, additional judges. corriTTissioneTS,staffand of course more attorneys. The whole jail overcrowding problem isdue to the fact that we do not have enough courts to move the cases through."

LEGAL EAGLES Continuad from A1

In addition to a new judicial center. Jimison feds that "the public defenders and the deputy prosecutor need to be paid a better salary. They arc woefully underpaid" Maintaining commitment todisadvantaged and addicted individuals is something that Jimison holds in high regards. She feds that it’s a problem that all people should addkess. “It's not aproblem that'sexclusive to any racial people. Addiction happens regardless of your status, your color, or your creed. It is a non-dis-criminating disease and since that is true, it's going to take all of as." —SW MymSdby When Judge Myra Selby resigned from her post as the Indiana State SupremeCourt'sfirst woman and first B lack associate justice in 1999 tongues started swaggering. Many wondered was the pressure too great or did she simply hate what she was doing. 'There were moments when I had thought 1 was going todisappoint other Blacks in the community, but my decision to leave was the right thing to do not only for my family, but for myself," said Selby. While on the court, Selby helped to make several landmark decisions regarding state property taxes, insurance and tort law reform, authoring a number of majority opinions that have garnered national attention. “My appointment opened the door and proved it was possible fora Black woman to serve in that capacity and I quickly got over feeling as if I was disappointing anyone because in the end 1 believe people want you to be

happy contributing in those areas that are fulfilling to you." she said. With no regrets about her decision, Selby finds a new sense of fulfillment in her role as partner at Ice Miller, where she specializes in strategic business advice and planning. “It was not that 1 dki not enjoy my time on the court, but the nature of the position is very isolating and it has lobe that way... I wanted to expand," she said. The University of Michigan Law School graduate also wanted to explore a more lucrative career in the private sector. Still an advocate forequality in the justice system, she maintains a relationship with the court as the chair of the Indiana Supreme Court Commission on Race and Gender Fairness, a group charged with the awesome task ofensuring fairness and diversity in the state's legal system. These career activities are a long way off from Selby's earlier dreams of becoming a world-class ballerina in her hometown of Saginaw. Mich. "My father adv ised me to pursue something that would allow me to earn a little more than a stick of chewing gum," said Selby who was not quick to let her dancing dream fade. However, after learning the harsh reality regarding the few numbers of Blacks in the elite world of classical ballet, she decided to chart a course in the family business, acareerthat ‘ “would allow me some of the broadest career possibilities —law." It's not surprising Selby made Indiana history with her appointment to the state's high court, her family roots are steeped in historical achievement.

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“My father joined and eventually became a partner in one of the oldest documented black law firms in the country, (Baker & Selby in Michigan)" said Selby. “But my parents were great in that they did not pressure me into the profession." Now a wife and a mother to two of her own children, Selby is busy balancing her high powered career with the nuances of family life. “I love being a mother and all the joy it brings," she said. —AVH Lacy Johnson Ice Miller partner Lacy Johnson is the kind of man who is not afraid to stand up for the principles he believes in. And he's been tested quite a few times, even as early as his college days on the Purdue University campus. “1 organized some of the cxherBlack students at the school to protest and object to the way student fees were collected," said Johnson. “It eventually caused the administrators to provide more funding for some of the Black groups on campus." Johnson's next fight would be a bit more difficult, but he was up for the challenge. He was among 20 Black state police officers who successfully sued the Indiana State Police Department for discrimination and poor working conditions during the 1980s, a move that would help to usher in a wave of other Black men and women into the department's workforce and help change the way Blacks were treated within the agency. A hard worker, Johnson managed to complete his law degree at Indiana University Law School, while working foil time as a married state trooper during the ordeal. During his tenure at the State Police department, the number of Blacks in the force increased ftom three to about 100. He eventually worked his way up from stale trooper to Deputy Superintendent for Support Services, a position that introduced him in the lobbying process and he later left the post to w ork for the Hoosier Lottery—a place where he says he faced one of his toughest battles. As Director of Security for the Hoosier Lottery. Johnson found himself amid a scandal in 1991 that would send the faint of heart into a tailspin. • Former Hoosier Lottery official Maty Cartwright accused her boss, former lottery director Jack Crawford, of sexual harassment “I was caught in the middle of it because I befriended her and gave her some advice that she taped without my knowledge and later produced duringa hearing," said Johnson of the scandal that rocked the Evan Bayh administration, cost Cartwright her job and ruined Crawford’s political career. Johnson was caught on tape consoling Cartwright and also made comments that put his loyalty to the Bayh administration in question. “What I told her was the truth, and because my intention was to help her out of a bad situation 1 feh I was right in doing what I did," said Johnson who now refuses for his voice to be recorded on tape. Through his faith, family and a few close friends, Johnson weathered the storm. One ofthe friends whooffered moral support during those rough days was Congresswoman J ulia Carson. Carson has known Johnson for more than 15 years, meeting him during her days as a state legislator. “Lacy was crushed and dismayed, but I reminded him of Christ and how folks went after him." said Carson. "And through his trials and tribulations he came out victorious. He stands up and fights for what's right and is a man of integrity, he’s not combative, but firm.” His non-combative and persuasive style has helped Johnson to become one of the stale’s most influential lobbyist While at work, Johnson advocates on behalf of the interests of owners aid operators in the gaming and communications industries. “His savvy, charm and intelligence are a tremendous asset to our firm." said Art Kallercs, managing partner of Ice Miller. “The relationships he has buik over the yean are invaluable.'' While satisfied wkh fas professional accomplishments, Johnson is more proud ofhtsnearty 27-year manage to fns wife Patty and hu three dnkfcen Tm blessed," he said Tm proud that I’ve been able to survive and contribute to my community ." —AVH