Menu
Greencastle attorney Joel Wieneke honored at ISBA Awards Luncheon
INDIANAPOLIS -- Joel C. Wieneke, post-disposition coordinator for the Indiana Public Defender Council's Juvenile Defense Project and an attorney at Wieneke Law Office, was honored Thursday with the Viola J. Taliaferro Award during the annual Indiana State Bar Association Awards Luncheon at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown.
Presented by the ISBA Civil Rights of Children Committee, the Viola J. Taliaferro Award recognizes an individual who best exemplifies Judge Taliaferro's courageous, visionary leadership in addressing the unmet legal needs of children.
An advocate for children, Wieneke has worked as a juvenile public defender in Putnam County, offered support to children sent to the Indiana Department of Correction and ensured the preparedness of attorneys representing children in delinquency proceedings.
Wieneke is a former president of the Putnam County Bar Association, and served Putnam County as a juvenile public defender and Guardian Ad Litem.
A 2006 graduate of the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, where he received the Norman Lefstein Award for Excellence for pro bono service, Wieneke is a former law clerk to Patricia A. Riley and former intern for John G. Baker.
He served on the Indiana Public Defender Council's Board of Directors from 2012-16.
Wieneke was one of 18 honorees at the Indiana State Bar Association's annual awards luncheon, where the organization recognizes individuals for contributions to the legal profession and the citizens of Indiana.
The Indiana State Bar Association also honored several people from around the state:
-- Kimberly S. Adams, Indianapolis, Rabb Emison Award (individual).
-- Emily L. Angel, Indianapolis, Outstanding Young Lawyer Award.
-- Jane Dall Wilson, Indianapolis, Civility Award (attorney).
-- Debra L. Dubovich, Merrillville, Gale M. Phelps Award.
-- Enrique Flores Jr., Carmel, Trailblazer/Abriendo Caminos Award.
-- Karin L. Fowler, Rochester, Affiliate Member Award.
-- Robert "Bob" Hennesey, South Bend, Henry Hurst Judicial Assistance Award.
-- Belinda R. Johnson-Hurtado, Bloomington, Women in the Law Recognition Award.
-- Robert L. Jones Jr., South Bend, Presidential Citation.
-- Larry A. Landis, Indianapolis, David Hamacher Public Service Award.
-- Joseph D. O'Connor, Bloomington, Presidential Citation.
-- Jeff Papa, Indianapolis, Community Service Award.
-- - Margret G. Robb, West Lafayette, Civility Award (judge).
-- Kris C. Sakelaris, Hammond, Presidential Citation.
-- Diane K. Schneider, Crown Point, Presidential Citation.
-- Dirck H. Stahl, Evansville, Presidential Citation.
-- Heather A. Welch, Indianapolis, Outstanding Judge Award.