INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Supreme Court’s Chief Administrative Officer, Justin Forkner, is leaving his position in January 2026. Forkner will join a Northwest Indiana law firm in their appellate practice section.
Chief Justice Loretta Rush commends Forkner for his service to the judicial branch: “Justin has leadership, vision, and passion for the law. His commitment to the justice system is unwavering. He is admired for his efforts to maintain a high level of service, transparency, and accountability in our state, and he shares that knowledge with courts across the country.”
Rush has worked closely with Forkner since he was named CAO in October 2018. She points to his stewardship of the law and statewide policy. His role—in helping the Chief Justice and all the members of the Court—included defining and implementing a strategic direction for the judicial branch. Under the direction of the Chief Justice, Forkner is responsible for leading the Office of Judicial Administration and its 240 lawyers and other licensed professionals, administrative staff, and technology experts. He works as a direct link to Indiana’s nearly 600 judicial officers and more than 18,000 attorneys. Premier initiatives during his tenure include:
- Maintaining court operations during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Implementing organizational changes to streamline OJA
- Legislative priorities, including budgetary matters
- Service as co-chair of the Commission on Indiana’s Legal Future
- Service as co-chair of the National Center for State Courts’ AI Rapid Response Team
“I am proud to have spent the past fifteen years dedicated to public service for the state of Indiana, and I am grateful to the many amazing leaders and colleagues I have had the privilege to work with,” Forkner said.
The Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission named him a finalist for the Indiana Supreme Court in 2022 and the Court of Appeals in 2023. A graduate of Indiana University and first in his class at the IU McKinney School of Law, he also served as a decorated Captain in the US Army, with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Aaron Hood, who serves as Chief Financial and Operating Officer for OJA, has been named interim CAO. Details on the search for a candidate to replace Forkner will be made available soon. The Office of Judicial Administration is responsible for the efficient administration of all agencies that operate under the direction of the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court.
