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

Author: "The Surrogate Mother Contract in Indiana," 15 Indiana Law Review 807, 1982.

Lecturer: Indiana Municipal Lawyers Association Seminar on Issues for Telecommunication Towers Siting and Leasing, June 1999; Utility Law Section of the Indiana State Bar Association Seminars on Consumer Update, Spring and Fall 1999; Utility Law Section of the Indiana State Bar Association Seminar on Electric Update, Spring 2002; Zoning Concerns and Land Use and Planing Issues, National Business Institute Seminar, Dec. 2005

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

Member, National Association of Bond Lawyers; Member, Indiana Municipal Lawyers Association; Member, Indianapolis Bar Association; Member, Indiana State Bar Association, Chair, Utility Law Section 2004-2005, Former Chair, Electric Division of Utility Law Section, 2001-2002, Former Chair Utility Services Consumer Division, 1998-1999; Member, American Bar Association.

Honors and Awards

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