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Indiana Bicentennial Celebration 2016
Judge Sarah Evans Barker
Active throughout her career in judicial and bar-related organizations, Judge Barker served as president of the 900-member Federal Judges Association, 2007-2009, and continues her ex-officio work on the FJA Board of Directors. In 2004, she was appointed by Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist to serve on the Special Study Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability (the “Breyer Committee”) and in 2012 by Chief Justice John Roberts to serve on the Judicial Conference Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability. Judge Barker was Chief Judge of her court from 1994 to 2001 and has served as a member of the Judicial Conference of the United States, its Executive Committee, Long Range Planning Committee, Standing Rules of Procedure Committee, Budget Committee and the Judicial Branch Committee (ex-officio). She has also served on a variety of 7th Circuit committees and has been a member and officer of several bar associations.
Judge Barker is active in numerous civic, educational, cultural and religious organizations, including the Board of Directors of Indiana University Health. She has also served as a member of boards of trustees for several Indiana academic institutions, the Indiana Historical Society, the Connor Prairie Interactive History Park, the Advisory Board for the Spirit and Place Civic Festival, and advisory boards of Indiana University and its law schools, including participation on search committees for law school deans, an Indiana University chancellor and two presidents. She is a member of the Indiana Academy, a recipient of the Living Legends Award given by the Indiana Historical Society, the Trailblazer Award given by the Indiana Commission for Women, and a Distinguished Alumna of Indiana University and its College of Arts and Sciences. In addition, she has been awarded ten honorary degrees by various colleges and universities and received the 2012 Advancing American Democracy Award given by the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site Board of Directors. Judge Barker is a member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club of Indianapolis, the Lawyers Club, and the Gathering.
Judge Barker was born in Mishawaka, Indiana, and is a graduate of Indiana University and the American University School of Law. She is an active member of the Morgantown United Methodist Church. She and her attorney husband, Kenneth R. Barker, have three grown children and five grandchildren.
