Monica A. Fennell

Pro Bono Director Indianapolis

Contact Info

Summary

As pro bono director, Monica leads the pro bono program across Taft’s 11 offices. This includes identifying and developing opportunities for the program, establishing an integrated pro bono system across the firm, and ensuring that all Taft pro bono legal services are consistent with Taft’s values and commitment to improving the communities it serves.

With over 30 years of experience in the legal industry, Monica brings a trusted perspective to Taft’s pro bono program. Before joining Taft, she was part of a team that managed a firm’s pro bono program and led pro bono activity at five of the firm’s offices, including over 400 attorneys. Prior to that, Monica served as the executive director of the Indiana Pro Bono Commission and was a Fellow at the Supreme Court of the United States. Monica began her legal career as a litigator in big cities and a small town.

Monica has authored numerous articles, including the following selected publications:

Celebrating Pro Bono in a Pandemic, ABA Judicial Division Record (2020).
Using State Legal Needs Studies to Increase Access to Justice for Low-Income Families, 48 Fam. Ct. Rev. 619 (2010).
Emergent Identity: A Comparative Analysis of the New Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and the Supreme Court of the United States, 22 Temp. Int’l & Comp. L.J. 279 (2008).

Monica earned her B.A., cum laude, from Williams College and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. She also has a professional development certificate in peace and conflict studies as a Rotary Peace Fellow at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.

Awards

Indiana Bar Foundation Fellow Award for lifetime achievement in access to justice (2019)
Randall T. Shepard Pro Bono Award (2015)
Distinguished Barrister Award, Leadership in Law (2011)
Justice Thomas Clark Award for excellence in service as Supreme Court Fellow (2008)

Education

Georgetown University Law Center (1993)
Williams College (1987)

Admissions

State - Indiana
State - Wisconsin (inactive status)
State - Illinois (inactive status)
State - Registered Indiana Civil Mediator
Federal - U.S. Supreme Court
Federal - U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

News

01/05/2021
News

Taft Appoints Monica Fennell as Pro Bono Director

Professional Affiliations

Association of Pro Bono Counsel
Member
Pro Bono Committee, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
Member
Indiana Coalition for Court Access, Self Help and Court Access Working Group
Member
American Bar Association
Chair, Judicial Division Lawyers Conference
Supreme Court Fellows Alumni Association
Member
Past Vice President
Supreme Court Historical Society
Member
Indiana State Bar Association
Member, Pro Bono Committee
Past Chair, Pro Bono Committee

Community Involvement

Social Promise
Board Member
Volunteer
Prindle Institute for Ethics
Judge, High School Ethics Bowl Competition
Putnam County Pro Se Desk
Volunteer