Barnes & Thornburg’s John Maley on labor and employment law, bar leadership and the rule of law

An episode of the The Indiana Lawyer Podcast with Maura Johnson podcast, hosted by IBJ Media, titled "Barnes & Thornburg’s John Maley on labor and employment law, bar leadership and the rule of law" was published on December 10, 2025 and runs 31 minutes.

December 10, 2025 ·31m · The Indiana Lawyer Podcast with Maura Johnson

Summary

Host Maura Johnson talks with Barnes & Thornburg partner and Labor and Employment Department chair John Maley about how the firm’s nationwide labor and employment team serves employers of every size, from small family businesses to large public companies, on issues such as noncompete agreements, litigation, counseling and workplace compliance across federal, state and local laws. Maley explains how his early trial work in employment cases shaped his “bet the company” mindset, how he approaches leading a 100-person department, and why staying nimble amid expanding regulations and fast-paced client demands is essential in labor and employment law. As president of the Indiana State Bar Association, Maley also discusses juggling firm and bar leadership, addressing attorney shortages, defending the independence of lawyers and judges, and promoting the rule of law at events like the bar admission ceremony and Law Day. He shares his focus on collaboration across the bench and bar, the profession’s response to increased scrutiny of law firms, and how innovation and artificial intelligence fit into his goals of sophistication, excellence and service in Indiana’s legal community.

Episode Description