SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE TOM MASSEY SELECTED AS A 2023 CCO “COMMUNITY SERVICE “AWARD WINNER

SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE TOM MASSEY SELECTED AS A 2023 COO “COMMUNITY SERVICE” AWARD WINNER

OCTOBER 14, 2023

The City-County Observer recently announced our first deserving “Community Service Award” winners for 2023. She is the highly respected Daniela Vidal Chancellor of IVY Tech Community College.

Steve Hammer and County Commissioner Ben Shoulders Co-Chairmen of the 2023 “Community Services Award Luncheon” are also excited to announce that D. William Moreau a highly regarded and nationally known attorney and newspaper President/Publisher of the Indiana Citizen newspaper shall be the event Keynote Speaker.

SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE TOM MASSEY BACKGROUND

Thomas (“Tom”) Massey was the oldest of 4 boys born to his now-deceased parents, James and Kathryn Massey.  Tom graduated from South Bend Clay High School and Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management from the Krannert Business School.  He received his JD from Valparaiso University was on the Law Review for two (2) years and was a Legal Research and Writing Teaching Assistant for one and one-half (1½) years.  He passed the Indiana Bar Examination before graduating from law school.

Tom started practicing law at age 24 with Bowers Harrison Kent & Miller LLP in Evansville.  He practiced primarily in Family Law and Civil Litigation.  For many years, Tom was co-chair of the firm’s litigation section, at which time Bowers Harrison was among the largest law firms in Evansville.

In 2009, Tom opened his own law office to concentrate on large asset divorce cases in Southwest Indiana.  These cases typically involved competing business valuations, competing real estate appraisals and businesses with several owners.  Joe Harrison, Jr. and Lee Veazey joined Tom’s law office and they never had a crossword.

On February 18, 2021, Tom was appointed by Governor Eric Holcomb to replace retiring Superior Court Judge Richard G. D’Amour.  Evansville’s own Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch personally called Tom that day to advise of his selection.  Tom’s Superior Court No. 7 is primarily a Family Law and Civil Litigation Court.  

Tom was sworn into office on April 5, 2021, by Vanderburgh Superior Court Chief Judge Les Shirley.  He was unopposed for Election last fall.  Tom is now ending the first year of a six (6) year term on the Vanderburgh Superior Court.

In May 2021, only one (1) month after being sworn in, Tom was appointed by the Indiana Supreme Court to also serve as an Indiana Commercial Court Judge.  He is one (1) of the ten (10) Commercial Court Judges in Indiana that, in addition to their regular Court docket, handle large/complex litigation between business entities.  In August 2022, Tom along with Commercial Court Committee Members Jim Casey and Jim Johnson presented the first-ever seminar on the Indiana Commercial Courts to the Evansville Bar Association.

PERSONAL INFORMATION OF SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE TOM MASSEY

Tom and Joanne have been married since 1989.  Joanne graduated from Memorial High School and I.S.U.E..  She is a well-known artist and also teaches painting classes.  They have 3 adult children who are all proud Memorial High School and Purdue University Alumni.  In July of 2022, Tom and Joanne welcomed their first grandchild.  Tom and Joanne are long-time members of Christ the King – Annunciation Parish in Evansville.

 PEER HONORS FOR SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE TOM MASSEY

• Martindale-Hubbell AV rating (highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards)
• Recipient, multiple “Super Lawyer” Family Law designations
• Faculty, numerous ICLEF family law seminars over 25 years.  Most recently Faculty on the July 2022 and July 2023 ICLEF Family Law “Masters Series” at French Lick Resort.

JUDGE MASSEY PROFESSIONAL AND BOARD AFFILIATIONS

• Admitted to practice in the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court
• Member, Indiana Office of Court Services Domestic Relations Benchbook Committee (2022 – Present)
• Board Member, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Foundation (“ICLEF”), (1999-2005; 2019 – Present; 2023 Treasurer-Elect)
• Republican Member, Vanderburgh County Election Board (25 years, President 16 years)
• Merit Commissioner, Evansville Police Department (2000-2004)
• Member, Vanderburgh County Legal Services Board of Directors (2015-2018)
• Circuit/Superior Court Judicial Representative, Vanderburgh County Public Defender Board (2016-2021)
• Served several times as Chair of the Family Law Section of the Evansville Bar Association 
• Graduate, National Institute of Trial Advocacy, Notre Dame University (1993)
• Adjunct Faculty, Lockyear College and University of Evansville (Business Law)(1988 – 1990)
• Life Member, Purdue Alumni Association 
• Member, Sons of The American Legion 
• Member, Daniel Boone Gun Club
• Member, Hoosier Musky Hunters (40” personal best)