Lewis & Kappes Hosts Law Day

On Tuesday, April 11, 2006, Lewis & Kappes hosted its Second Annual, Law Day for twenty at-risk Shortridge Middle School students who are participants in the Stacey Toran Foundation’s mentoring program.  During the “Law Day” field trip the students participated in a Stop and Think program conducted by the Sheriff’s Office.  The program included a lock-up tour and a presentation by Sheriff Frank Anderson (a former STF award recipient) and by Detectives from the Covert Drug Enforcement Team.  The students also met with the Honorable Judge David Dreyer, Marion County Superior Court, Civil Division 10, and then the Honorable Justice Frank Sullivan of the Indiana Supreme Court.    They next visited the Law School for a mock class conducted by Professor Brookins on the topic of Battery.  The students also visited the Lewis & Kappes offices and met with Lewis & Kappes attorneys.

The Stacey Toran Foundation is an all volunteer, non-profit organization with a mission to “provide a caring and nurturing environment for at-risk students, to help them graduate with a meaningful diploma and aspire to higher learning resulting in self-reliance and self-actualization.”  To accomplish this goal, the Stacey Toran Foundation has teamed with Butler University to implement a mentoring program which now provides one-on-one mentoring.  Additionally, the Stacey Toran Foundation has awarded over $30,000.00 in academic scholarships.

Stacey Toran was a graduate of Broad Ripple High School and was an outstanding athlete.  Stacey played football for Notre Dame University and, after his graduation, he played in the NFL for the then Los Angeles Raiders.  In 1989, Stacey Toran was tragically killed in an automobile accident.  The Stacey Toran Foundation was started by Stacey’s brother, Derrick Toran, who lives in Indianapolis.

Lewis & Kappes attorney Suzanne Robinson Gaidoo is on the Stacey Toran Foundation’s Board of Directors and is the Chair of its Governance Committee.  Lewis & Kappes is proud to support the mission of the Stacey Toran Foundation.