2026 ISBA Leadership Development Academy

ISBA Leadership Development Academy

Class of 2026 Application
Thank you for your interest in the 2026 class of the ISBA Leadership Development Academy (LDA). Please complete all sections of the following form by Monday, November 3, 2025.

You can save your work and revisit the application at a later date.

Some important information about the application:
- Be prepared to provide a resume, letter(s) of recommendation, and your leadership and community goals.
- LDA is a five-month commitment, with the expectation that you will be present for the entirety of each session. Please verify with your employer that you can attend all five sessions.
- Use PDF files when uploading documents.
If you have questions, please contact ISBA CLE Director Kristin Owens at kowens@inbar.org.
Mission Statement for the Indiana State Bar Association
Leadership Development Academy

The mission of the Indiana State Bar Association Leadership Development Academy is to empower and develop lawyers to be informed, committed, and involved so that they may fill significant leadership roles in local and state bar associations and in Indiana communities and organizations, and so that they may serve as role models in matters of ethics and professionalism.

In support of our mission, the Leadership Development Academy will strive to:
- Build a core of practicing lawyers to become leaders and nurture effective leadership with respect to ethics and professionalism, resulting in raising the overall ethical and professional standards and standing of lawyers in the community.
- Identify and train lawyers who can be called upon by the ISBA, state and local government entities, local bar associations, and community organizations for leadership and service.
- Raise the level of awareness among lawyers regarding the broad range of issues facing the legal profession and build effective and mutually beneficial relationships among legal leaders across the state.

Section I: Commitment
Class of 2026 Sessions and Dates
- Session One: January 22–24, Fort Benjamin Harrison (Indianapolis)
- Session Two: February 18–19, Statehouse (Indianapolis)
- Session Three: March 26–27, Muscatatuck Urban Training Center (North Vernon)
- Session Four: April 23–24, Speedway
- Session Five: May 14-16, Jasper/Santa Claus
Attendance at each session is required. Sessions will begin by approximately 2 p.m. on the first day and conclude by no later than 5 p.m. on the second day. (Except for Session One and Session Five, which will last three days.)
I understand and commit to the following expectations:

I understand I must be a member of the Indiana State Bar Association to participate in the ISBA Leadership Development Academy.I understand that attendance at each session is mandatory (the dates and locations for each session are described above).I am aware that travel to different parts of the state is required.I am willing to engage with diverse perspectives.I understand that tuition is $1,700 and covers hotel rooms, some meals, and at least 12 hours of CLE. (Scholarships are available.)

Section II: Personal Information
Name

First NameLast Name
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email Address
example@example.com
Ethnicity
Gender

Section III: Professional Information
Date Admitted to Practice:

MonthDayYear
Date
State(s) Admitted:
Practice Area(s):
Please upload a copy of your resume. (PDF files preferred.)

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Current Employer:
Position/Title:
Start Date:

MonthDayYear
Date
Supervisor's Name (if applicable)

First NameLast Name
Supervisor's Email (if applicable)
example@example.com
By signing below, I verify that my employer will fully support my participation in the Leadership Development Academy if I am selected. My employer is aware that my attendance at every session is mandatory.

Clear

Section IV: References
Please attach a letter of recommendation from at least one reference. One letter is required, two letters are recommended. Letter(s) of recommendation should address your dependability, reliability, and your commitment to working together with your colleagues and peers—as well as anything your reference(s) feels important to share.

First Reference
Name (of Reference)

First NameLast Name
Title
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email
example@example.com
Letter of Recommendation (PDF files preferred)

Cancelof

(Optional) Second Reference
Name (of Reference)

First NameLast Name
Title
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email
example@example.com
Letter of Recommendation (PDF files preferred)

Cancelof

Section V: Leadership and Community Goals

To help the LDA Selection Committee know you and your goals better, please respond to the following questions. (You can save your work and come back to these questions at any time.)
ISBA and the LDA Selection Committee are committed to having a broad range of experiences and perspectives in each class. Please provide information about yourself for the committee to consider.
Describe your community, volunteer, and/or bar association activities. Provide the names(s) of the organization(s) you're a part of, your dates of involvement, and any relevant leadership activities or positions held.
Describe your personal leadership goals. Why do you want to further develop your leadership skills, and how do you anticipate applying those skills after LDA?
Describe the goals you have for your community. Consider how your community could be improved, the specific challenges your community is facing, and the ideas and solutions you have related to those challenges.

Section VI: Scholarships and Miscellaneous
There are a limited number of scholarships available covering half or full tuition. If you are interested in being considered for a scholarship, please provide the circumstances and justification surrounding your request. All candidates are considered equally whether or not you apply for a scholarship.
How did you hear about LDA? This helps us know which of our recruiting efforts have the most success.

Word of mouth/Someone referred meISBA EmailAddendumSocial mediaWebsiteOther
Please include the name(s) of anyone who recruited you.

Almost There!
You are about to submit your application for the 2026 class of the Leadership Development Academy.

If you would like to review your responses or save your work and come back later, please do so. You must submit your final responses by Monday, November 3.

When you are ready to submit your application, click Submit at the bottom of the page.

If you have any questions, please contact Kristin Owens at kowens@inbar.org.
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ISBA Leadership Development Academy

Section I: Commitment

Class of 2026 Sessions and Dates

Section II: Personal Information

Section III: Professional Information

Section IV: References

Section V: Leadership and Community Goals

Section VI: Scholarships and Miscellaneous

Almost There!