Hon. Heather A. Welch (Ret.) joined JAMS in February of 2024 after a distinguished 23-year career on the Marion Superior Court (Indianapolis), including service as an Indiana commercial court judge for almost eight years.

While Judge Welch presided over commercial and business disputes, she also managed a civil docket comprising over 2,000 cases, including complex product liability, medical and legal malpractice, construction and personal injury matters. She is known for her hands-on approach and efficiency in managing cases while considering the proportionality issues of each case to develop a timely but cost-conscious solution when appropriate.

While on the bench, Judge Welch held many leadership roles, including presiding judge of the Marion Superior Court, chair of the ABA Judicial Division 2024-2025, president of the Indiana Judges Association 2023-2025, elected member of the American Law Institute, chair elect of the National Association of Women Judges and legal writing adjunct professor at Indiana University McKinney School of Law.

Judge Welch has a reputation for fairness, thoroughness and being a problem solver, was well as having the ability to quickly navigate complex business and negligence cases.

• J.D., Valparaiso University School of Law, 1994
• B.S., Indiana University Kelley School of Business, 1989
• Professor John Krauss’ Public Policy Mediation Training at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, 2010
• National Judicial College Great Lakes Complex Commercial/Business Courts Seminar, 2013
• Additional specialized education from the American College of Business Court Judges

American Bar Association:

• Judicial Division
  • Chair-Judicial Division, 2024-2025
  • Chair, National Conference of State Trial Judges
    • Chair, 2019–2020
    • Executive Committee Member, 2013–2018
  • Co-Chair, Judicial Clerkship Program, 2014, 2016–current
  • Member, Commission of the American Jury Project, 2013–2024
  • Liaison to Business Law Section, 2020–2024
• Business Law Section
  • Business Court Representative, 2018–2019
  • Co-Chair, Business Courts Subcommittee, 2021—current
  • Co-Chair, Indemnification and Insurance Subcommittee, 2019–cureent

National Association of Women Judges

• Chair Elect 
• Chair, Annual Conference, 2023
• Vice-President of Publications, 2023–2025

Member, American Law Institute

President, Indiana Judges Association, 2023-2025

Co-Chair, Indiana Commercial Court Committee, 2016-current

Member/Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, 2020-current

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