Tavonna Harris Askew Will Lead Indiana Legal Services
The veteran attorney will assume the role of CEO at Indiana Legal Services starting on November 9, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in People
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Tavonna Harris Askew has been appointed as the new CEO of Indiana Legal Services, an organization providing legal aid across 92 counties. She is scheduled to officially begin her new role on November 9, 2026.
Why it matters
The Indiana Legal Services Board of Directors selected Askew to lead the organization based on her extensive experience managing complex organizations and public funding. She is expected to drive the expansion of access to justice for residents throughout the state.
Askew brings 25 years of legal and executive experience to the position, including her oversight of a 30-member team at Cummins Inc. The organization she will lead serves residents across all 92 counties in Indiana.
The players
Tavonna Harris Askew
She is an experienced attorney who previously served in leadership roles at the Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County and Suburban Health Organization.
Jon Laramore
He has served as the CEO of Indiana Legal Services since 2015 and will step down from the position.
Indiana Legal Services
This organization provides legal assistance to low-income individuals and families across all 92 counties in Indiana.
The details
Askew, who began her legal career as a staff attorney at Indiana Legal Services in 2001, will succeed current CEO Jon Laramore. Her previous leadership experience includes roles as Chief of Staff and General Counsel at the Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County and as an executive at Suburban Health Organization.
Timeline
In 2001, Askew began her legal career as a staff attorney at Indiana Legal Services.
Jon Laramore began his tenure as the CEO of Indiana Legal Services in 2015.
In October 2026, the Indiana University Maurer School of Law presented Askew with a Distinguished Service Award.
Tavonna Harris Askew officially begins her role as CEO on November 9, 2026.
Market Landscape
This leadership transition follows the decade-long tenure of Jon Laramore, marking a significant shift in executive management for the organization. The move positions the firm to maintain its service footprint across all 92 Indiana counties under a leader with extensive experience in public and health-sector administration.
The transition to new leadership is intended to bolster the organization's capacity to provide legal aid to residents throughout the state. Clients seeking assistance can continue to utilize the existing service infrastructure as the executive change takes place.
The takeaway
Askew's appointment highlights a strategic focus on bringing experienced public sector leadership to the legal aid field. Her background in large-scale organizational management is expected to support the continued expansion of essential legal services for Indiana residents.
What happens next
Tavonna Harris Askew will officially begin her tenure as the new CEO of Indiana Legal Services on November 9, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on legal representation in the state, visit the Indiana People section.
More information
To apply for legal assistance, visit the legal assistance application portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBIW.
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