The ICLEO Mentoring Legacy of Chief Justice Randall Shepard: An Essay

Abstract

Former Indiana Chief Justice Randall Shepard has had an incomparable impact on the advancement of the legal profession in the United States. This essay reflects on his role of mentoring minority and underrepresented law students from an up close and personal view. It starts by reviewing Chief Justice Shepard’s extensive accomplishments, including the creation of the Indiana Conference on Legal Education Opportunity (“ICLEO”).

This essay also reviews Chief Justice Shepard’s views regarding legal professionalism and the need for the judiciary’s involvement in mentoring. This essay conclude by showing how Chief Justice Shepard’s creation, ICLEO, is a system where mentoring happens naturally, while also addressing the needs identified. I show that this system of mentoring, which starts with the ICLEO program, is passed on to others and is a benefit for all.

Keywords: Indiana Chief Justice Randall Shepard, Indiana Supreme Court, Indiana law, mentoring, legal education, Indiana Conference on Legal Education Opportunity