Judy Okenfuss

Judy is an attorney, engineer, innovator and mentor. In 2022, she retired from the law firm of Ice Miller LLP after a lengthy career in the law. For her last seven years at Ice Miller, she served as a Managing Partner of the Firm. In that role, Judy focused upon innovation, risk management, and implementation of the strategic plan. As part of this work, Judy partnered with a venture capital firm to develop and implement a new collaborative approach for the development of legal services and products. She also chaired the Firm’s Innovation Committee, the Security Advisory Committee, and founded and chaired the Internet of Things Practice Group. During that time, she co-hosted The New Crossroads podcast with Gerry Dick. Over the years, Judy had many other leadership roles within the Firm, including Counsel to the Firm, Indianapolis Office Managing Partner, Risk and Crisis Management Practice Group Chair, and Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action Practice Group Chair.

As an attorney, Judy defended companies in class action lawsuits, multidistrict litigation, and product liability cases across the country. She advised all types of business entities on risk management, working with them to identify risk to the business, take steps to minimize or, if possible, eliminate risk, and develop approaches to protect against any remaining risk. Judy also helped companies manage crisis situations, working with them to address emerging situations which threatened the business, its people, or its reputation. She spent time pursuing her passion of mentoring by helping many attorneys over the years navigate life in a law firm and the legal profession generally. In recognition of her work, Judy received various awards throughout her career including being recognized by Indiana Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America multiple times and receiving the Distinguished Young Alumni award from Washington University School of Law, the Inspiring Women Award by the WNBA Fever, and Inspire Award Finalist from College Mentor for Kids.

Currently, Judy serves on the boards of the Indiana Bar Foundation (chair of the Scholarship and Grants committee) and Hoosier Women Forward. Other boards on which she previously served include Metropolitan Indianapolis Public Media (WFYI) (chair of the Audit Committee), United Way, and Peace Learning Center (Board Chair). Judy holds a BS in Chemical Engineering, BA in Spanish, and a JD all from Washington University in St. Louis. Recently she completed a lengthy term on the Washington University School of Law Board of Advisers.

Retirement provided an opportunity for Judy to broaden her horizons. Judy served as a Strategic Advisor on the Miles for Mayor Campaign. She is an active volunteer at the Crooked Creek Food Pantry. Judy also enjoys traveling around the world with her husband and spending time with her children (which helps explain some of the travel).