Kellie M. Barr Sworn in as U.S. Magistrate Judge

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (November 4, 2022): The Honorable Tanya Walton Pratt, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, is pleased to announce that Kellie M. Barr was sworn in on Monday, October 31, as United States Magistrate Judge. Judge Barr assumed her new duties on Tuesday, November 1, and fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Magistrate Judge Debra McVicker Lynch.

During a private ceremony, Chief Judge Pratt remarked, "Throughout her legal career, Judge Barr has treated every client, colleague, and opposing counsel with dignity and respect; and we know that she will bring those same qualities to the bench. Her strong work ethic, diligence and passion for upholding the law and ensuring access to justice will serve her well as she embarks on her judicial career."

Judge Barr said, "I am honored that the District Judges selected me to be the next U.S. Magistrate Judge in our District.  From my almost seven years of prior service at the Court, I know firsthand how busy our District is and how diligently our Judges and staff work to timely administer justice in each case.  I am excited to rejoin them and will do my very best to meet the high standards this role requires."

A formal investiture ceremony for Judge Barr will occur at a later date.

Judge Barr is a 2003 graduate of Indiana University – Bloomington, where she received Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Speech & Hearing Sciences and a Minor in Spanish. Judge Barr earned her law degree from the Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. While in law school, she was an Articles Editor for the Indiana Law Journal, Champion of the Sherman Minton Moot Court Competition, and a recipient of the National Order of Barristers honor. She also served as Chief Justice of the Sherman Minton Moot Court Board and as an elected class representative for the Student Bar Association.

Prior to becoming a Magistrate Judge, Judge Barr served as a law clerk to then-Chief Judge John G. Baker at the Indiana Court of Appeals (2006-2008), a Litigation & Appellate Associate at Bose McKinney & Evans LLP (2008-2010), and as a law clerk to District Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson at the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana (2010-2017). In 2017, she joined the legal department of Indiana University Health where she was promoted to positions of increasing responsibility and ultimately served as Lead Attorney for IU Health Physicians until her appointment as U.S. Magistrate Judge.

Judge Barr has completed the Civil Mediation Training Program offered by the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum. She has been an active volunteer in the legal profession and wider community, having previously participated in the Southern District of Indiana’s Recruited Counsel Program, served as a Big Sister for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana, and been an active member on various leadership committees of the Indianapolis Bar Association. Judge Barr was recognized as a Distinguished Fellow of the Indianapolis Bar Foundation in 2021 and is currently a Master Member of the Indianapolis American Inn of Court.

 United States Magistrate Judges are appointed by the Judges of the U.S. District Court for a term of eight years and are eligible for reappointment to successive terms. Magistrate Judges preside over many pretrial proceedings in both civil and criminal cases in federal court. A critical component of the position is conducting mediation and settlement proceedings in civil cases, helping parties settle their disputes by agreement.

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