U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan L. Collins Announces Retirement After 37 Years of Public Service

Fort Wayne, Indiana – United States Magistrate Judge Susan L. Collins has announced her plans to retire in July 2025, culminating a distinguished thirty-seven-year career in public service. Judge Collins has served nearly a decade as a Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana. Her career includes twelve years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Hammond and sixteen years as a prosecuting attorney for the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office, where she handled numerous complex and high-profile federal and state criminal cases.

Judge Collins graduated from Drake University School of Law and DePauw University. She has also contributed to legal education as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Valparaiso University School of Law, teaching trial practice. Her exemplary service has been recognized with several awards, including the Meritorious Public Service Award and the Director’s Award for Superior Performance as an Assistant United States Attorney.

Chief Judge Brady praised Judge Collins, stating, “The judges of the Northern District of Indiana are grateful for Magistrate Judge Collins’ service to the Court. Her well-deserved retirement marks the end of an admirable career of public service.”

U.S. Magistrate Judges are appointed by the District Judges of the United States District Court to serve eight-year terms and are eligible for reappointment to successive terms. They may retire after reaching 65 years of age and serving more than eight years.