Practice Areas

Carol Sparks Drake has extensive appellate and utility law experience. She has authored appellate briefs on behalf of national, publicly traded companies and Indiana utilities in complex business and territorial disputes, as well as upon personal matters such as adoption, custody, and other family law issues. She has briefed appeals upon matters of first impression impacting Indiana litigants. Because of her long-time practice in Boone County, Carol also has substantial experience providing healthcare and other business and professional legal services, particularly contract negotiation and drafting for real estate, construction, and general business needs. In addition, having a county seat practice enabled her to work with local municipal and corporate clients, along with individuals desiring estate planning, probate, adoption, dissolution, child support, and other personal legal services.

Carol has functioned as general counsel to utilities, municipalities, and other clients, including the county hospital, while continuing to meet individual client needs.

Education

Indiana University, B.A., 1975; Indiana University, J.D., cum laude, 1978

Bar Admissions

Indiana, 1978; U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, 1978; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana

Publications and Presentations

Lecturer, Appellate Practice Seminar, ICLEF, 2007
Faculty, Appellate Skills Institute, ICLEF, 2006
Co-Chair, The Art of Appellate Practice (Masters Level Series), ICLEF, 2005
Panelist, Current Indiana Appellate Topics: Civility, Sanctions, and Whether to Publish Opinions (ISBA Appellate Practice Section Fall Meeting Roundtable), 2005
Co-Chair, Appellate Practice Seminar, ICLEF, 2004
Faculty, Developing Appellate Skills, ICLEF, 2003
Lecturer, Appellate Practice and Procedure, ICLEF, 1993
Lecturer, "Life After Opt-Out for Indiana Rural Electric Membership Cooperatives," 1998
Lecturer, "Organizational Issues for Your Cooperative's Board of Directors," 1995
Lecturer, "Readying Your Cooperative for Competitive Challenges," 1994

Experience

Director, Lewis & Kappes (2008 to present); Partner, Parr, Richey, Obremsky & Morton (1983-2007); Administrative Law Judge, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (1981-1983); Staff Counsel, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (1981); Law Clerk to Judge Eugene N. Chipman and Judge Robert Neal, Indiana Court of Appeals (1978-1981)

Affiliations

Past Chair, Appellate Practice Section, Indiana State Bar Association (2003-2004); Past President, Boone County Bar Association (1997); Past President and Member of Board of Directors, Boone County Chamber of Commerce; Founding Director, Past Officer on Executive Committee and Member, Community Foundation of Boone County; Charter Member, Electric Cooperative Bar Association, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (2000 to present); Member, Witham Health Services Foundation; Boone County 4-H Council; Secretary, Boone County 4-H Community Council; Member, Indiana State Bar Association (Appellate Practice, Utility, Healthcare and Agricultural Law Sections); Member, Indianapolis Bar Association (Appellate Practice Section); Member, Indiana Municipal Lawyers Association (1991 to present)

Honors and Awards

Fellow, Indiana Bar Foundation (1993 to present)
Boss of the Year, presented by Boone County Legal Personnel (1996)