Indianapolis Bar Association's
Judicial Excellence Political Action Committee
 

   THOMAS J. CARROLL

I recommend Thomas J. Carroll for judicial office.
  Response Response Total
Yes 74.95% 395
No 25.05% 132
  Total Respondents* 527

*Survey respondents were asked to comment only upon those candidates with whom they have had direct professional contact within the last four years.  All questions were optional.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:

Education: Graduate of I.U. Law School, Indianapolis. 1967 J.D.

Judicial Experience: Appointed to the Marion County Municipal Court, Room 1, on January 1, 1988 by Governor Robert Orr and reappointed by Governor Evan Bayh in 1992. The court consolidation of 1997 created the new Unified Superior Court, and with consolidation, I was assigned to the Marion County Superior Court, Civil Division. With my re-election in the year 2000, I have now served as a civil court judge for the last 18 years. While in Law School, I served as a bailiff for Judge Myers in the Civil Municipal Court, Room 1, from October 1964 to January 1, 1966. After law school, I served as a Law Clerk to Judge Bierly on the Indiana Court of Appeals in 1966-1968, and as a law clerk to Judge James Noland in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana 1968-1969.

Significant Legal Accomplishments: Prior to my appointment to the bench, I maintained a civil trial practice, litigating many cases in both the state and federal courts. I have handled appellate work in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Indiana Court of Appeals and the Indiana Supreme Court. Two of my most notable cases considered on appeal were: Kirschner v. Broadhead, 671 F.2d 1034 (1982); Williams v. Crist, 484 N.E.2d 576 (Nov 01, 1985) - Represented Plaintiff. Appellate Court reversed jury verdict; Indiana Supreme Court reinstated jury verdict.

Other Legal Involvement: I served as a U.S. Trustee in the Bankruptcy Court from 1978 to 1988, worked on Grievance Committee “C” of the IBA for 15 years, and have participated as a presenter in Bar Seminars and Bench Bar Conferences. I served on the IBA Commission for Small Claims Courts, and have been a member of the Executive Committee of the IBA Litigation section for many years. Along with Judge Sosin, I started a Jury Shadow Program, which enables interested young lawyers to sit with judges on jury trials from pre-trial conference to jury verdict. Superior 6 has always tried to embrace new technology, being one of the first courts to put its jury calendars on the court web page, allowing lawyers to track the court’s jury schedule, and to choose trials they would like to shadow. I worked for two years on the new civil case management system for the Superior Courts in Marion County, and I have served as a member of the Court Technology Committee since its inception.

Personal Statement: For the last 41 years, I have been involved in the Civil Justice System at all levels and in every capacity, and there is very little I have not experienced as a lawyer or a judge. One half of my legal experience has its foundation in the practice of law and in the day-to-day task of making a living while serving the needs of my clients. The other half of my experience comes from my 18 years on the bench. I believe that I am uniquely qualified to understand the needs of the practicing attorney within the context of our legal system, and that my understanding of the needs of the litigators who appear before me is perhaps my most important qualification to be a judge.

How would you rate Thomas J. Carroll on the following:

Note:  Totals in parentheses denote number of respondents

 

(Strongly Disagree)

2

         

3                

4

         

5 (Strongly Agree)

No
Opinion

This person is hard-working.

 8%
(40)

11%
(58)

 17%
(88)

 26% (140)

31% (166)

 8% (40)

This person is efficient.

 6%
(32)

10%
(53)

16%
(85)

28% (147)

32% (173)

8%
(43)

This person is ethical.  7%
(36)

7%
(37)

15%
(78)

20% (108)

46% (245)

5%
(26)

This person is impartial.  11%
(61)
14%
(72)
15%
(80)
22% (116) 36% (193)

2%
(10)

This person correctly applies the law.  8%
(42)

12%
(61)

19%
(101)

25% (135)

34% (182)

2%
(9)

This person demonstrates the proper temperament and demeanor expected of a judge.  12%
(62)

12%
(66)

15%
(78)

22% (119)

38% (204)

1%
(6)