Alumni Magazine & Dean's Report - I.U. School of Law - Indiana ...

Dean Gary R. Roberts (center) and Law Alumni Association Reunion Chair, Craig Borowski, ‘00, (right) pose with award recipients Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel, ‘00,
Judge Charles Bridges, ‘05, and Rev. Franklin E. Breckenridge, Sr., ‘68.
Early Career Achievement Award to
Judge Charles Bridges, ‘05
Award recipient Judge Charles Bridges presides over
the Putnam County Superior Court. Prior to his career in
the judicial branch of government, Bridges was an Indiana
State Trooper for 27 years, working on the road, as well as
in undercover and homicide investigations in Lake County.
He finished his law enforcement career at the Putnamville
Post as Chief of Detectives.
After finishing law school, and while still working
for the state police, Bridges opened a private practice in
Greencastle, focusing on criminal defense and family law.
He also accepted many pro bono cases. Additionally, he was a
part-time public defender and a part-time administrative law
judge for the state of Indiana, presiding over firearms permit
revocation cases. During that time he served as president of
the Putnam County Bar Association. He currently serves on
numerous boards of community organizations. He and his
wife have three children at home, including 6-year-old twins
who were born while he was still in law school. He also has a
grown son and three grandsons.
The Early Career Achievement Award honors alumni
who have earned their degrees within the last ten years, made service
contributions to the legal profession, the community, and their alma
mater, and who have shown potential for continued success in the field.
I U S C H O O L O F L AW S U M M E R A L U M N I M A G A Z I N E