ICLEF Mourns the Loss of Visionary to Indiana ADR and Longtime ICLEF Leader, Thomas R. Lemon

The ICLEF Civil Mediation Team, 2023: (retired) Hon. Terry Shewmaker, Doug Lemon, Tom Lemon, Joy Colwell and Michael Farrier

A Past-President of ICLEF and ICLEF Excellence in Continuing Legal Education Award recipient, Thomas Ridley Lemon passed away on March 26 in Bloomington with his family by his side.

Tom gave so much to ICLEF beyond his leadership, with much of the last 30 years of his law practice devoted to his service as a civil mediator. Lemon was among the very first attorneys in the state who championed this then-innovative approach to conflict resolution and will be remembered and revered as the Primary Trainer of ICLEF’s 40-hour Civil Mediation Training for nearly three decades.

Having trained well over 800 attorneys in his tenure, Tom then passed the baton to his son Doug Lemon, who has been ICLEF’s primary civil meditation trainer since 2017. Of course, Tom continued to participate and assist in our trainings since that time, including most recently last year’s training in June 2024. Further, his daughter Lara has been with ICLEF as our Registrar since 1996.

Tom Lemon leading a group discussion during the 2024 ICLEF Civil Mediation Training

The impact of his passing will be felt by many throughout the Indiana legal community and certainly those of us at ICLEF.

Click here for his full tribute.