Trevor Belden and James Strickland Named Indiana Lawyer ‘Leadership in Law’ Honorees

Indiana Lawyer named partner Trevor Belden and associate James Strickland to its 2026 “Leadership in Law” class, which recognize members of the legal community who demonstrate a commitment to their profession, clients, and communities.

Belden was selected in the “Distinguished Barrister” category, which recognizes Indiana attorneys who have practiced law for at least 20 years. Belden was recognized for his work advising clients on mergers and acquisitions and financial transactions, and for his distinguished community involvement, including co-founding IndyHub, a networking and development organization for young professionals.

In his profile, Belden shared “Before law school, I only had a vague understanding of the legal profession. But I was drawn to the intellectual challenge, the professionalism and client service aspect, and the idea of building a meaningful, long-term career.”

Strickland was named to the “Up and Coming” category, which recognizes attorneys who have been practicing 10 years or less. An associate in the firm’s labor and employment group, he was selected for his work representing employers in litigation and advising on compliance, investigations and workplace-related matters across industries.

In his profile, Strickland shared how he acquired an interest in the field during his clerkship with then-Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. “I worked on many cases involving federal employment statutes,” he said. “I enjoyed how such cases mix business realities with very personal stories. There’s never a dull moment in this practice area.”

Read the full “Leadership in Law” list here. The full articles are available for Indiana Lawyer subscribers.