Rafael Alberto Sanchez

2002, Indiana
U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 2008
U.S. Supreme Court, 2010
2002, U.S. District Court, N.D. Ind., U.S. District Court, S.D. Ind., 2002

of the Indianapolis and Indiana bar foundations. He is also active with the Plan 2020: The Bicentennial Plan for Indianapolis (co-chair, leadership team); Indy Chamber (secretary); and Cancer Support Community (chairman). He served as secretary for the 2018 Super Bowl Bid Committee. He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1974. Professional enjoyment: I enjoy the ability to make a meaningful difference in people's lives and in the community we all live in. Being a lawyer has enabled me to look at situations from a different perspective, always keeping in mind the ""whole picture"" and identifying creative ways to solve a problem. Armed with these skills, it is no wonder that lawyers are some of the most civically engaged professionals in society. In my opinion, this is the most rewarding aspect of being a lawyer. Your inspiration: From an early age, I always wanted to become a lawyer to protect and advise my family and friends in business and personal matters. Again, it was the notion of being able to make a difference. Why bar association involvement: I think it's important to give back to the profession and stay engaged with the legal community. The networking at bar association functions is always worthwhile and has led to many professional opportunities. At its highest level, it is also an opportunity for me to impact how lawyers are perceived in the broader community and identify areas where we can collectively become civically engaged and serve our communities. If not a lawyer: corporate CEO/executive; Fav hobbies: spending time with my family, traveling and watching movies; Fav book or author and current reading: One of my favorite books is ""The Death of Common Sense: How Law is Suffocating America"" because it is so commonsensical. Fav vacation spot: anywhere there is a beach (with a few exceptions); Fav food or restaurant: Puerto Rican cuisine ranks at the top of my list (for obvious reasons), but I don't mind eating at Ocean Prime every now and then. Top of my bucket list: The ability to create unlimited bucket lists, but, if that option is not available, then to take my family on a month-long, multi-country, European vacation. Fellow: of the Indianapolis and Indiana bar foundations. He is also on the leadership team for Plan 2020: The Bicentennial Plan for Indianapolis (co-chair); served as secretary for the 2018 Super Bowl Bid Committee; and is chairman of Leadership Indianapolis. He was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1974. Professional enjoyment: I enjoy the ability to make a meaningful difference in people's lives and in the community we all live in. Being a lawyer has enabled me to look at situations from a different perspective, always keeping in mind the whole picture and identifying creative ways to solve a problem. Armed with these skills, it is no wonder that lawyers are some of the most civically engaged professionals in society. In my opinion, this is the most rewarding aspect of being a lawyer. Your inspiration: From an early age, I always wanted to become a lawyer to protect and advise my family and friends in business and personal matters. Again, it was the notion of being able to make a difference. Why bar association involvement: I think it's important to give back to the profession and stay engaged with the legal community. The networking at bar association functions is always worthwhile and has led to many professional opportunities. At its highest level, it is also an opportunity for me to impact how lawyers are perceived in the broader community and identify areas where we can collectively become civically engaged and serve our communities. If not a lawyer: corporate CEO/executive Fav hobbies: spending time with my family, traveling and watching movies. Fav book or author and current reading: One of my favorite books is The Death of Common Sense: How Law is Suffocating America because it is so commonsensical. Fav vacation spot: anywhere there is a beach (with a few exceptions). Fav food or restaurant: Puerto Rican cuisine ranks at the top of my list (for obvious reasons), but I don't mind eating at Ocean Prime every now and then. Top of my bucket list: The ability to create unlimited bucket lists, but, if that option is not available, then to take my family on a month-long, multi-country, European vacation. Member: Indianapolis Bar Association (Steering Committee for Bar Leader Series IV, V and VI; Membership Committee, 2009; Board of Managers, Vice President, 2008); Indiana State Bar Association (Chair, Federal Judiciary Committee, 2009-2011; Vice-Chair, Federal Judiciary Committee, 2008-2009; Chair, Latino Affairs Committee, 2005-2006). Fellow: Indiana Bar Foundation.