Indiana Bar Foundation's Indiana Legal Help Launches as Independent Nonprofit

Beginning earlier this month, on February 1, Indiana Legal Help officially became an independent nonprofit organization. Created in 2018 as a program of the Indiana Bar Foundation, Indiana Legal Help has grown into a statewide hub for self-help resources and legal information, connecting Hoosiers with free and low-cost legal aid for non-criminal issues, including family law, housing, and debt-related matters.

As part of this transition, Indiana Legal Help announces the appointment of Mark Torma as its Executive Director.

Torma has been serving Indiana residents in expanding access to legal resources since 2011, when he became Executive Director of the Volunteer Lawyer Network in South Bend. In 2020, he became the North Central Indiana Office Director and Senior Managing Attorney with Pro Bono Indiana upon its founding. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame (Class of 1997) and the University of Minnesota Law School (Class of 2009) and currently serves as Board Treasurer for the National Association of Pro Bono Professionals.

“The work of Indiana Legal Help has grown and flourished while we've been part of the Indiana Bar Foundation, and now we are ready to take the next step towards ensuring that every Hoosier has equal access to legal resources that meet their needs,” said Torma. “We are quite grateful for all the support that the Indiana legal community has given us so far, and we look forward to contributing even more to our collective mission.”

Indiana Legal Help also announces its Board of Directors:

• Chair: Timothy Abeska, Of Counsel (Retired), Barnes & Thornburg LLP
• Chair-Elect: Judy Okenfuss, Ice Miller LLP (Retired)
• Treasurer: Caryn Glawe, Partner, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
• Secretary: Marilyn Smith, Consultant
• Hon. Thomas Felts, Senior Judge, Indiana Office of Court Services
• Hon. Melissa S. May, Indiana Court of Appeals
• Hon. Stephen E. Scheele, Indiana Court of Appeals
• David Van Gilder, Partner, Fletcher Van Gilder LLP
• James Watson, Partner, Ice Miller LLP

Each board member brings significant leadership and experience from across Indiana’s legal and judicial communities, positioning the organization for continued growth and impact.

As part of its transition, Indiana Legal Help has established its new headquarters at 708 E. Michigan St., Ste. 200, Indianapolis, IN 46202. The move and transition reflect the organization’s evolution into a standalone nonprofit and its continued commitment to serving Hoosiers statewide.

The transition to an independent nonprofit reflects the maturation and expansion of Indiana Legal Help’s mission. Since its founding, the organization has served as a centralized, 24/7 online resource offering plain-language legal forms, instructional videos, and step-by-step guides while helping users connect to legal aid providers across the state.

As a standalone entity, Indiana Legal Help will continue to strengthen partnerships, expand resources, and increase accessibility so that more Hoosiers can navigate civil legal challenges with clarity and confidence.

About Indiana Legal Help Desk

Indiana Legal Help is committed to being a statewide hub for self-help resources and legal information. The organization provides 24/7 access to hundreds of plain-language forms, videos, and guides, and connects Hoosiers with free and low-cost legal aid for non-criminal issues, including family law, housing, and debt-related matters. Learn more at https://indianalegalhelp.org.