bdodd@lewis-kappes.com

317.639.1210

Practice Areas

Energy and utility law; municipal law; municipal finance; civil litigation; appeals.

After graduating from law school, Bette clerked for both an Indiana Supreme Court Justice and a federal judge in Indianapolis. She has been active in municipal law including land use, territorial disputes, bond issuances and municipal finance matters, and in utility law, including energy, water, stormwater and sewer matters for both consumers and utilities.

Education

Indiana University, B.A., 1975; Indiana University, J.D., magna cum laude, 1983.

Bar Admissions

Admitted to Indiana State Bar, 1983; U.S. Supreme Court, 1991; U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 1984; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, 1986; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 1990; U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, 1983; U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana, 1983.

Publications & Presentations

Speaker, National Business Institute Seminar, Local Government and the Law, 2007;
Speaker, Indiana Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) Annual Municipal Law Seminar, Utility Jurisdiction and Home Rule Issues, 2006;
Speaker, National Business Institute Seminar, Zoning Concerns and Land Use and Planning Issues, 2005;
Speaker, Indiana State Bar Utility Law Section Seminar, Electric Update, 2002 and Consumer Update, 1999;
Speaker, IMLA Annual Municipal Law Seminar, Cell Tower Siting and Leasing, 1999;
Speaker, Annual Indiana Rural Water Association Conference on Water Utility Issues;
Author: "The Surrogate Mother Contract in Indiana," 15 Indiana Law Review 807, 1982.

Experience

Director, Lewis & Kappes, 1995-present; Attorney, Ice Miller, 1986-1995; Law Clerk, Hon. William E. Steckler, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, 1983-1986; Law Clerk, Hon. Justice Donald H. Hunter, Indiana Supreme Court, 1983.

Affiliations

Fellow, Indianapolis Bar Association;
Member, Indiana State Bar Association, Chair-Elect Government Practice Section, Former Chair Utility Law Section, Former Chair Electricity Division and Former Chair Utility Services/Consumer Division of Utility Law Section;
Member, American Bar Association;
National Association of Bond Lawyers;
Indiana Municipal Lawyers Association;
Board Member, Salt Creek Services, Inc.;
Past Volunteer Judge for Moot Court Competition and Client Counseling Competition at IU School of Law-Indianapolis

Honors and Awards

Indiana Super Lawyer (Utilities) 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009))