Indiana Intellectual Property Law News

In a recent announcement from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Hammond Division, the legal community welcomes a new addition to its ranks. Abizer Zanzi has been selected as the United States Magistrate Judge, succeeding the esteemed Honorable Joshua P. Kolar, who has recently been elevated to Circuit Judge of the United states Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

With degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Duke University School of Law, Mr. Zanzi arrives with a wealth of expertise. As an Assistant United States Attorney in Hammond, Indiana, he has played a pivotal role in prosecuting diverse cases, spanning national security, public corruption, terrorism, human trafficking, and white-collar crimes. Beyond his legal work, his commitment to justice shines through his pro bono representation of indigent clients and his volunteer coaching of youth baseball during his leisure time.

Upon the announcement, Chief Judge Holly A. Brady remarked, “While many qualified candidates applied for the position, Mr. Zanzi’s extensive experience in both civil and criminal litigation and his prior experience clerking with the Court made him a clear choice for the vacancy. In addition to his diverse experience, the pro bono work he has performed demonstrates his clear commitment to equal justice under the law. We are all anxious for Mr. Zanzi to join the Court. He will be a tremendous asset to the Court and litigants.”

In a solemn moment that echoed across the Northern District of Indiana, the flags flew at half-staff, paying tribute to a titan of justice, Senior Judge William C. Lee. With a career spanning over four decades at the U.S. District Court, Judge Lee left an indelible mark on the legal community and beyond, his passing marking the end of an era.

Born and raised in Fort Wayne, Judge Lee’s journey into law commenced with humble beginnings. Graduating from North Side High School in 1955, he embarked on a path that led him to Yale University, where he laid the groundwork for what would become a remarkable career. However, it was his time at the University of Chicago Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 1962, that truly shaped his trajectory towards judicial excellence.

The pinnacle of Judge Lee’s career came with his appointment as a district judge by U.S. President Ronald Reagan in 1981. Serving as Chief Judge from 1997 to 2003, he embodied integrity and wisdom, earning respect and admiration from his peers and the community alike.