Liberty L. Roberts Selected as United States Magistrate Judge

PRESS RELEASE 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (July 15, 2026): The Honorable James R. Sweeney II, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, is pleased to announce the selection of Ms. Liberty L. Roberts for the position of United States Magistrate Judge in the Indianapolis Division. Ms. Roberts will fill the vacancy created by the January 1, 2027, retirement of the Honorable Mark J. Dinsmore.   

A Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Committee, chaired by Kristina Coleman of Faegre Drinker and consisting of ten other attorneys and two community members, reviewed numerous applications and recommended five finalists for the position. The District Judges of the court interviewed the finalists and unanimously selected Ms. Roberts.

Born in Danville, Illinois, Ms. Roberts grew up in western Indiana in Parke and Fountain Counties. Ms. Roberts is a 1997 graduate of Franklin College, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in history. Ms. Roberts earned her law degree from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 2001, where she served as Note Development Editor of the Indiana Law Review. She was also honored with induction into the Order of Barristers as part of the National Moot Court Competition.

Upon graduation Ms. Roberts joined with a solo practitioner to create the firm Collier-Magar & Roberts, P.C.. In May 2012, she founded Roberts Legal Group, LLC, where she specialized in civil litigation and frequently represented schools, counties, cities, and towns in cases involving civil rights and employment law claims. In January 2014, Ms. Roberts' firm merged with Church Church Hittle & Antrim, which she joined as a partner. She chairs CCHA's Litigation Group, litigating disputes related to civil rights, education, employment, contract disputes, business disputes, and general tort liability. Ms. Roberts also has extensive civil mediation training and experience and regularly provides pro bono litigation services to incarcerated individuals.

Ms. Roberts is admitted to the bars of the United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, and the Indiana Supreme Court. She is a member of the Indiana and Indianapolis Bar Associations and has served as a member of the Indianapolis Bar Association's Women in Law Committee for over 20 years and Municipal Section for 14 years. She is also active in the Indiana Bar Foundation, having served as a member of the Board of Directors, on the organization's Executive Committee, and as a member of the Civic Education Advisory Committee.

Regarding the selection, Chief Judge Sweeney remarked, "My fellow District Judges and I are very impressed with Ms. Roberts' experience as a litigator, mediator, and leader in the legal community. These experiences, along with her energy, enthusiasm, intelligence, and calm demeanor, will serve her well on the federal bench and benefit all of the parties who will appear before her in our court. While filling Judge Dinsmore's shoes will be no easy task, Ms. Roberts will be a welcome and talented addition to the court family."

Ms. Roberts stated, "I am deeply honored by the confidence placed in me through this appointment. The federal judiciary plays a vital role in upholding the rule of law, ensuring equal access to justice, and maintaining public confidence in our system of government. I have long respected the important work of our federal courts and this court’s commitment to the just, efficient, and impartial administration of justice. I am humbled to join the court and contribute to its mission. It is a privilege to undertake this responsibility."

United States Magistrate Judges are appointed by the Judges of the United States 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. Ms. Roberts’ appointment is dependent upon the completion of required IRS and FBI background investigations.

 

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