Innovation Counsel

The Office of Judicial Administration is responsible for the efficient administration of all agencies that operate under the direction of the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court. That includes 200 personnel; fiscal management; communication; technology; legal services; intergovernmental relations; services for the trial courts; and support for court boards, commissions, and committees. The Office is headed by Interim Chief Administrative Officer Aaron Hood, who reports directly to the Chief Justice of Indiana and serves as the link between the Chief Justice and the agencies of the Court.

Salary: The salary for this position traditionally starts at $93,000 but may be commensurate with education and/or experience.

To Apply: Please apply by June 22, 2026

About the Job:

Are you an attorney who is energized by solving problems, redesigning how work gets done, and shaping the future of the legal profession? The Office of Innovation is seeking an Innovation Counsel to lead initiatives at the intersection of legal policy, professional standards, and court operations. This is a unique opportunity to combine legal analysis with disciplined process improvement methods to design and scale new models that improve legal practice, judicial policy, court operations, and public access to justice.

In this role, you will lead initiatives that advance innovation within the legal profession-work that calls for an attorneys judgment and subject-matter expertise at the point of design. You will also bring structure and rigor to the Offices process improvement support for the Office of Judicial Administration (OJA) and Supreme Court committees, applying methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma, Agile, or comparable frameworks to keep complex, cross-functional efforts on scope, on schedule, and aligned to measurable outcomes.

Why Join the Office of Innovation?

• Impactful Work: Help shape legal policy and support the judiciary across Indiana.
• Collaborative Culture: Work with a dedicated team of professionals who value innovation and service.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities to lead, mentor, and contribute to statewide legal initiatives.
• Work-Life Balance: Full-time role with meaningful work and a supportive environment.

A Day in the Life:

In this dynamic role, you will serve as both a legal advisor and a program leader, guiding innovation initiatives from concept through delivery while ensuring they are legally sound and operationally viable. Your work will span legal expertise, program delivery, supervision, and strategic leadership.

Your legal and subject-matter expertise duties will include:

• Applying legal knowledge and analysis directly in the design and execution of process improvement and innovation programs.
• Collaborating as a peer with attorneys across the agencies of the Office of Judicial Administration on shared initiatives.
• Supporting programs and committees focused on improving case management, expanding civil legal aid, and broadening public access to justice.
• Supporting regulatory pilot programs and monitoring comparable innovations in other jurisdictions to inform Indianas efforts.
• Providing legal and analytical support to the strategic data modernization project, ensuring initiatives are legally sound and consistent with judicial branch standards.

Your process improvement and program delivery duties will include

• Applying disciplined methodologies (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, Agile, or comparable frameworks) to complex, cross-functional initiatives.
• Defining scope, timelines, dependencies, and performance metrics, and managing initiatives against them for consistent delivery.
• Monitoring performance and using data to drive continuous improvement, including process improvement support to OJA and Supreme Court committees.

Your supervisory duties will include

• Supervising internal staff and contractors assigned to specific projects and pilot programs.
• Setting priorities, assigning work, and monitoring progress against project goals and deadlines.
• Mentoring team members and coordinating contractor scope and deliverables to ensure quality and alignment with objectives.

Your strategic and operational leadership duties will include

• Providing strategic and operational leadership for initiatives at the intersection of legal policy, professional standards, and court operations.
• Collaborating with OJA divisions, Supreme Court committees, judicial officers, and other stakeholders to align initiatives with the Offices mission.
• Communicating progress, risks, and recommendations clearly, and performing other duties as assigned.

What Youll Need for Success:

A Juris Doctor and an active Indiana law license are required. The applicant also must be a member in good standing with the Indiana Bar.

Integrity

• Exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials
• Maintain personal and business affairs in a manner that ensures public confidence in the integrity, competence, impartiality, and independence of the judiciary as well as avoid situations that could lead to conflict, or the appearance of conflict

Professionalism

• Interact with all persons in a respectful manner, maintain business-like appearance, and promote harmony in the workplace
• Interact with executive branch agencies, federal agencies, and judicial officers in a manner that promotes confidence and respect in the Office of Judicial Administration

Communication

• Communicating effectively and respectfully with team members, supervisors, and staff in other divisions of the Office of Judicial Administration
• Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience

Organization

• Manage assignments to ensure all tasks are completed within deadlines
• Effectively manage time and prioritization of tasks and projects

Attention to Detail

• Research, coordinate, and track work in a proficient manner to ensure accuracy

Problem Solving

• Identify problems and review related information to develop and implement solutions
• Use deductive reasoning skills to meet several complementary goals

Critical Thinking

• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems

Decision-Making

• Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making
• Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one
• Be willing to take direction from supervisors and make decisions for the greater good of the agency
• Engaging in collaborative decision-making with team members and supervisors that is consistent with the vision of the agency

Information Gathering

• Analyze data and information from multiple databases to complete clear and concise reports

Technology and Tool Usage

• Learn and adapt to new technologies within the Microsoft Suite as well as Supreme Court systems

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may provide direct supervision for one or more staff members.

Benefits package for full-time employees:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans;

• Wellness program (offers a premium discount for the medical plan and gift cards);

• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution;

• Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match;

• Two (2) fully funded pension plan options;

• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:

• 150 hours of paid new parent leave;

• Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave;

• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off;

• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years;

• Group life insurance;

• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits;

• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program;

• Free Parking for most positions;

• Free LinkedIn Learning access

• Hybrid Option for eligible employees/positions

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The Indiana Supreme Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal employment opportunities are provided to all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, political affiliation, socioeconomic status, status as a protected veteran or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, and the Indiana Judicial Code.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability and will need reasonable accommodation to assist you in applying for the position or performing the essential functions of the job, the Indiana Supreme Court will provide such reasonable accommodations.