Travis Jensen is the Co-founder and Partner at Johnson Jensen LLP and Co-chair of the Rule of Law Committee Initiative at the Indianapolis Bar Association, which promotes public and the legal community’s understanding of judicial independence and the core principles of the legal profession. An accomplished trial lawyer deeply invested in his community, Travis has represented over 800 clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases in Indiana and nationwide. His experience as a defense lawyer and passion for psychology and its multiple roles in the trial process led him to develop the jury research process that is the foundation of his and his partner’s company, Precognitive Jury Research, LLP.
Christine Hickey is the Managing Partner at Rubin & Levin, P.C. in Indianapolis and co-chairs the Indianapolis Bar Association’s Rule of Law Committee Initiative. At the law firm, she specializes in creditors’ rights, commercial collections, and litigation. She previously served as President of the Indianapolis Bar Association and Foundation, the National Conference of Bar Presidents, and the National Conference of Bar Foundations, and held leadership roles on the American Bar Association’s Board of Governors and Executive Committee.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [1:11] Christine Hickey on why the Rule of Law Committee was formed and her decision to co-chair
- [3:24] Concerns about diminishing respect for the rule of law and public accountability
- [5:29] Explaining the rule of law in simple terms for the general public
- [7:27] Addressing perceptions of inequality in the legal system regarding wealthy individuals
- [22:58] How the Rule of Law Committee is educating the public through Law Day, Constitution Day, and in schools
- [41:30] Defining what success looks like for the Rule of Law Committee
In this episode…
The erosion of public trust in legal institutions threatens the foundation of democracy. However, many people perceive the rule of law as unfair, inconsistent, or irrelevant to their daily lives. How can communities rebuild confidence in a system designed to provide accountability, fairness, and equal treatment for all?
According to Christine Hickey, an experienced attorney and legal leader, and Travis Jensen, a respected litigator, restoring confidence requires education, engagement, and visible leadership. Christine emphasizes simple, relatable explanations of the rule of law, while Travis points to the importance of involving young people and communities through initiatives like essay contests, school visits, and town halls. Together, they highlight how lawyers can lead by example, reinforcing fairness and consistency while empowering citizens to advocate for change the right way.
In this episode of Circle City Conversations, Alex Limontes interviews Travis Jensen and Christine Hickey, co-chairs for the Indianapolis Bar Association Rule of Law Committee Initiative, about strengthening public trust through the rule of law. Christine and Travis discuss why legal education matters, how community programs are changing public perception, and the importance of civic responsibility. They also discuss engaging youth in constitutional awareness and separating politics from fundamental rights.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Alex Limontes: LinkedIn | Bio | Facebook
- Hurst Limontes LLC
- Travis Jensen: LinkedIn | Email
- Christine Hickey: LinkedIn | Email
- Indianapolis Bar Association
- Rubin & Levin, P.C.
- Johnson Jensen LLP
- Rule of Law Committee
- World Justice Project Rankings Rule of Law Index
- Hawthorne Community Center
- Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Quotable Moments:
- “Well, nobody’s above the rule of law; nobody is. Everyone’s to be treated fairly and equally.”
- “If someone steals your property, you expect that they’ll be held accountable because we’ve got rules.”
- “Overall, by and large, we’ve got the American rule of law versus other countries, other ways.”
- “We have to have people being held accountable for when they don’t follow the law.”
- “You may not like it, but there are ways to deal with it the right way.”
Action Steps:
- Educate communities on the rule of law: Clear, relatable education helps people understand why fairness and accountability matter.
- Engage youth through schools and contests: Involving students fosters early respect for the legal system and civic responsibility.
- Host public forums and town halls: Open conversations rebuild trust by addressing concerns and clarifying misconceptions directly with the public.
- Reinforce civic duties like jury service: Highlighting responsibilities reminds citizens of how their participation ensures equal treatment and a functioning justice system.
- Model accountability as legal professionals: When attorneys lead by example, they demonstrate integrity and inspire confidence in the legal system.
Sponsor for this episode…
This episode is brought to you by Hurst Limontes LLC — a personal injury law firm based in Indiana.
Founded in 1981, Hurst Limontes LLC is one of the few firms whose practice focuses exclusively on victims of negligence and their families.
With more than 116 years of combined experience among our attorneys, you can trust us to handle your cases with valuable and extensive expertise. We have the knowledge to handle any case — from automobile accidents to construction site accidents, firearm discharge accidents, slips and falls, and more.
No matter how complex the case or how significant the injury is, we aim to make the process as stress-free as possible for clients.
Our attorneys have represented thousands of injured clients and obtained hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.
Have you or a family member been a personal injury victim in Indiana? Contact our dedicated team of personal injury lawyers at hurstlimontes.com or email alimontes@hurstlimontes.com.