The Indiana Supreme Court has named Adrienne L. Meiring as the Disciplinary Commission Executive Director. Ms. Meiring currently serves as counsel for the Court’s Judicial Nominating/Qualifications Commission.

The Disciplinary Commission is the nine-member entity responsible for investigating and prosecuting allegations of attorney misconduct and providing guidance to the state’s 22,000 lawyers. Each year it receives about 1,100 complaints related to an allegation of attorney misconduct. Ultimately, the Justices of the Indiana Supreme Court have final authority in determining whether misconduct has occurred.

Meiring’s career with the Indiana Supreme Court began in 2005, primarily as the attorney for the seven-member Judicial Nominating/Qualifications Commission. The Commission serves a dual purpose: it investigates and prosecutes allegations of judicial misconduct and recommends lawyers for appellate vacancies. Meiring’s service has included approximately 360 investigations of judicial misconduct and recommendations for 12 judicial vacancies.

The Office of Judicial Administration announced the opening for the Executive Director position after the January 2021 announcement of Mike Witte’s retirement. The Court appointed Senior Judge Robert Mrzlack as the Interim Executive Director. Current and former Commission members, representatives of the Respondents’ bar and hearing officers, and OJA leadership all participated in the selection process. Meiring was then unanimously selected by the five Justices.

Chief Justice Loretta Rush notes Meiring’s unique qualifications, “Adrienne understands the importance of providing educational opportunities to Indiana lawyers while also holding them accountable. She has proven through her work on judicial misconduct cases that appropriately handling difficult situations with professionalism strengthens the entire Indiana legal community and protects the public.”

Meiring is a summa cum laude graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and a J.D. She has served as a board member for the Association of Judicial Disciplinary Counsel and enjoys teaching and writing about judicial ethics. She plans to take an active role in educating lawyers on the professional rules. “Trust is the cornerstone of success for any ethics agency. There must be trust that the agency is resolving grievances effectively, efficiently, and with fairness,” according to Meiring.

The transition from Mrzlack to Meiring will begin immediately, and a Supreme Court order will name Meiring to the position. Adjustments to the JNC/JQC counsel position will be made as Meiring evaluates how alleged misconduct matters are handled for both judges and lawyers in coming months.