Staff Reports
A long-time local attorney and public defender has been named the new magistrate for Bartholomew Superior Court 2.
Superior Court 2 Judge-Elect Jon Rohde has named David Nowak as the new magistrate, the judge-elect announced Monday.
Rohde will replace retiring Judge Kathleen “Kitty” Coriden, in January, and Nowak will be replacing Magistrate Joe Meek, who lost to Rohde when seeking the Republican nomination for the judge seat in the primary earlier this year.
Nowak, who has practiced law for four decades and served as a public defender for 26 years, said the appointment is a “wonderful opportunity for me.”
“I have always tried to have a career based on public service and contributing to the public good,” he said.
In his private practice, Nowak said he had worked to assist people in criminal matters, family law, divorce, guardianships and other personal issues where individuals need legal help.
“My whole career has been based on helping others,” he said. “I view this in the same light.”
Rohde interviewed nearly 80 individuals regularly involved with the local judicial system before selecting Nowak, according to a statement from the judge-elect.
“While speaking with the many people who are involved in our local judicial system, Dave’s name was mentioned by nearly everyone as the perfect person to appoint as magistrate. Dave’s vast experience, knowledge and reputation will bring tremendous value to the citizens of Bartholomew County, and we will be very blessed to have him as part of our team.”
While the two newcomers to Bartholomew Superior Court 2 will not take office until January, Nowak said he is fully aware of the challenges ahead that have been caused by the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and the delays and postponements in the court system caused by the virus.
Noting the sheer volume of cases handled by Bartholomew Superior Court 2 is something that needs to be considered, the pandemic has compounded those issues, he said.
“The delays that have been caused by COVID-19 will continue to affect our court system,” Nowak said. “The first challenge will be catching up and determining how far we have fallen behind.”
Superior Court 2 handles cases for small claims, marriage dissolutions, personal disputes between individuals such as landlord/tenant disputes, all things that need to be addressed, Nowak said.
“We need to hear cases as soon as possible in view of the circumstances to get a resolution,” Nowak said. “Some may not like the resolution, but getting the resolution as quickly as possible is important.”
Nowak served as deputy attorney general for the Indiana Attorney General’s Office for more than 10 years. While working as deputy attorney general, he presented cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
After his service as deputy attorney general, he opened a private law firm in Bartholomew County, and has served on the Bartholomew County Evidence-Based Decision Making policy team.
Rohde said Nowak is well known for mentoring new attorneys in the early stages of their careers, and has regularly been appointed as judge pro tempore, acting on behalf of judges and making judicial decisions.
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Age: 66
Education: Nowak graduated from LaPorte High School in 1972 and received a bachelor of arts in political science from Ball State University in 1976. He earned his law degree in 1981 from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Mich.
Career: 1981-1992 served as Deputy Attorney General, Indiana Attorney General’s Office, Indianapolis: 1992-2020 in private practice in Columbus, has served as a public defender for 26 years.
Memberships: Indiana State Bar Association and Bartholomew County Bar Association, member of the Bartholomew County Evidence-Based Decision Making policy team.
Family: Nowak is married to Donna S. Hendricks-Nowak and the couple has five adult children, Adam, Jenna, Kara, Katie and Sarah and 10 grandchildren.
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