Bays Family Law attorneys, Donna J. Bays and Jennifer Bays Beinart, attended the 2019 Indiana State Bar Association’s Solo & Small Firm Conference June 6th through 8th. This was the 18th ISBA SSFC which continues to draw top notch speakers and attorneys from Indiana and around the country. Donna and Jennifer have both presented at prior conferences and are members of the Planning Committee.
Donna J. Bays Presents on Fault
This year Donna presented on what to do when a party is at fault or behaving badly during a case. Her presentation “Using No Fault in A No-Fault Divorce: Bad Girls, Bad Boys, whatcha gonna do?” also addressed the fault factors other than “irretrievable breakdown” and why those grounds might be a good or bad idea based on a client’s circumstances.
BFL attorney Donna J. Bays presenting on her Continuing Legal Education Seminar on Fault in divorce. 
BFL attorney Donna J. Bays presenting on her Continuing Legal Education Seminar on Fault in divorce. 
BFL attorney Donna J. Bays presenting on her Continuing Legal Education Seminar on Fault in divorce. 
BFL attorney Donna J. Bays presenting on her Continuing Legal Education Seminar on Fault in divorce. 
BFL attorney Donna J. Bays presenting on her Continuing Legal Education Seminar on Fault in divorce. 
BFL attorney Donna J. Bays presenting on her Continuing Legal Education Seminar on Fault in divorce.
Indiana Supreme Court Presents the Opening Plenary
This year all five Indiana Supreme Court Justices attended the conference. The Court presented an informative and energizing Opening Plenary Session, providing tips and insight to attendees. Both Justice Steven David and Justice Christopher Goff later presented breakout sessions. Jennifer attended Justice David’s presentation. She not only witnessed Justice David appearing as Superman (outfit and all), but received several tips on maintaining a healthy practice. Several other judicial officers were in attendance including Indiana Court of Appeals Chief Judge Nancy Vaidik, Marion County Criminal Court Judge Jose Salinas, and Civil Magistrate Judge Caryl Dill. Both Chief Judge Vaidik and Judge Salinas also presented to conference attendees.
Justice Mark Massa (far left); Justice Steven David; Chief Justice Loretta Rush; Justice Christopher Goff (far right). 
Justice Steven David 
Part of Justice David’s Presentation – Great points to remember. 
Part of Justice David’s presentation – “How to Write Good”. 
Fifth District Indiana Court of Appeals Chief Judge Nancy H. Vaidik 
Marion County Magistrate Judge Caryl Dill (left)
Law Student Program Still Going Strong
This year marked the eighth year of the Law Student program at the ISBA Solo & Small Firm Conference. Donna started the Law Student Program when she was chair of the ISBA Solo and Small Firm Conference in 2011. Since 2011, 230 law students have attended the conference through the partnerships with Indiana’s Law Schools, including IU McKinney, IU Maurer, and Valparaiso.
2019 ISBA SSFC Law Student attendees with Conference Chair Ann Marie Waldron and Long Term Development Co-chair Steven Douglas.
Conference celebrates Solo & Small Firm Superheros
This year’s conference theme was Small Firm Superheroes! The conference focused on the multiple ways that Small Firms can be superheros for our clients and the legal community. It also provided a great opportunity to reconnect with and meet new member’s of Indiana’s legal community.
BFL Attorney Donna J. Bays (right) and Beth Henkel 
Rhea Jones-Price 
Alex Van Gorp (left) and Lauren Sorrell (right) 
Jackie Butler (Left) and Dawn Carothers-Butler (right) 
Beth Henkel (left) and Dan Henkel (right) 
Terry Harrell (left) and ISBA President Todd Spurgeon (right) 
Derrick Wilson wins gift bag from Buckingham Wealth. Thomas Bodin, CFA, CPA (left)h Buckingham Wealth. 
Adrianne Rines Hammond (left) and Evan Hammond (right) 
Shane Eddington (left) and 
ISBA Solo & Small Firm Conference Superheros. Attendees were encouraged to wear “superhero” shirts on the last day of the conference. 
The ISBA Solo & Small Firm Conference Planning Committee.
Mordecai attends as member of JLAP Therapy Dog Program
Our own Director of Morale, Mordecai attended as Super Dog and was on hand as a member of the JLAP therapy dogs. Mordecai enjoyed all the attention and pets he received while providing relaxation moments for attendees.
