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Two generations of the Bishop family offered insights to IU McKinney law students during a Leadership Luncheon event on March 3.

MaryEllen Kiley Bishop, ’82, her husband, Michael P. Bishop, ’80, and their son, John B. Bishop, ’13, shared their experiences as lawyers and family ties at the Indianapolis law firm Cohen Garelick & Glazier, where they practice.

A highly respected estate lawyer, MaryEllen is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, as well as a board-certified Indiana Trust and Estate Lawyer.

A self-professed “tax nerd,” she told students at the luncheon that one of the best things she ever did during her career was to present seminars for Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (ICLEF). “If you really want to know a topic well, speak on it,” she advised.

All three of the Bishops urged students to get involved in their state and local bar organizations, and to volunteer their time for causes they care about. Michael, who concentrates his practice in the areas of mediation, arbitration, probate and trust litigation and civil litigation, is active with ICLEF, the Indiana Trial Advocacy College, and is past chair of the Litigation Section of the Indianapolis Bar Association. He is also past president to the board of directors for the Indiana Bar Foundation, and past president of the Sagamore American Inn of Court. 

“Get involved in some capacity,” Michael told students. “It does mean sacrificing personal time and family time, and your day doesn’t end at 5 p.m., but it will be a great experience.”

John, who concentrates his practice in the areas of estate and trust planning as well as intellectual property rights and enforcement, said that as a newer attorney, “I’ve learned why they call it the practice of law,” he said, and reinforced his parents’ messages about getting involved in the local legal community as a way to “always keep learning.”

He has served as chair of the Indianapolis Bar Association Intellectual Property Section, as an associate of the Sagamore American Inn of Court, and a member of the Indianapolis Bar Association Bar Leader Series.

Both MaryEllen and Michael Bishop are deeply involved in serving IU and their law school alma mater. Since 2010, MaryEllen has served as an elected Trustee of IU and currently serves as chair of the Academic Affairs and University Policies Committee. Michael is a member of the Board of Visitors for IU McKinney School of Law.

Raising a family together and practicing law together has been “wonderful,” MaryEllen said.

“It’s been a team approach,” she said.