Attorneys Michael E. and Shelice R. Tolbert, the husband and wife legal team of Tolbert and Tolbert, LLC will be presented with the Katie Hall Educational Foundation’s 2017 Co-Merit of Distinction Award on Saturday, April 8th.
The distinguished attorneys are both partners in the family based law firm and graduates of Valparaiso University School of Law. Their motto in their Gary based legal practice is “we have the heart and mind to solve your problems.” This statement can be readily seen on numerous billboards strategically placed in various locations throughout the City of Gary.
The Katie Hall Educational Foundation will recognize Michael and Shelice for their unique achievements in the field of law. Michael concentrates his practice in the areas of complex civil litigation, personal injury, municipal law, business and contract matters, and excessive force cases involving the police. He is a respected litigator, civil mediator and frequent presenter at instructional legal seminars aimed at providing new lawyers helpful practice tips as they enter the profession. Michael is also an adjunct Professor at his law school alma mater, where he teaches Trial Practice. In 2014, he was elected as the first African American President of the Lake County Bar Association. He has also served on the Board of Governors for the Indiana State Bar Association (ISBA), holding the position of Treasurer and member of the Nominating Committee.
Shelice is also a partner at Tolbert & Tolbert, LLC. She is the past President of the Lake County Bar (2016), and serves as an Adjunct Professor of Trial Practice at her alma mater as well.
Shelice was appointed to the Indiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program Committee by the Indiana Supreme Court, serving on the Committee from 2011-2014. Shelice was then appointed to the Indiana State Board of Law Examiners by the Supreme Court in 2014. She has served with distinction as President of the James C. Kimbrough Minority Bar Association from 2010-2011, and served as President of the Porter County Chapter of the American Inns of Court from 2014-2015. She served as the President of the Lake County Bar Association in 2016, as well as chairing the Wellness Committee in 2014 and 2015.
Shelice has been recognized in the business community by Building Indiana magazine as a 2012 Mover & Shaker of Northwest Indiana. She is a graduate of Leadership Northwest Indiana (LNI 31), and is now an associate alumnus of the program. Shelice was honored as the 2012 recipient of the Valparaiso University Black Law Students Association’s Alumni Award. In 2015, Shelice was selected as one of the 20 Under 40 award recipients by the Northwest Indiana Times Media BusINess Magazine. In 2016, Shelice was selected for membership in The National Black Lawyers Top 100 organization.
Shelice continues her community efforts with her involvement as Chair of the UNCF Northwest Indiana Leadership Council. She is an active member of the Gary Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and has served on the Board of Directors for the Lake Area United Way. Shelice also serves on the Board of Directors of the Gary Literacy Coalition, where she holds the position of treasurer, and she has been involved with the scholarship committee of the Legacy Foundation since 2008. She and husband Michael are also life members of the Gary Chapter of the NAACP.
In prior years, the Katie Hall Educational Foundation has awarded the Merit of Distinction Award to The Honorable Robert D. Rucker, Associate Justice of the Indiana Supreme Court (ret.) and Attorney Hilbert L. Bradley (Posthumously).
The 5th Annual Katie Hall Public Service Awards Luncheon will be held at the Genesis Convention Center, 1 Genesis Center Plaza, in Downtown Gary. The Luncheon will begin at 12:00 Noon. For more information, contact [email protected] or the Law Office of Attorney John Henry Hall at (219) 883-7711.
