About

About Anthony Zapata

Anthony was born and raised in Brownsville, Texas. He moved to Indianapolis to attend law school and practiced law in the Indy area for over 20 years. He worked for the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic, the Indiana Supreme Court State Court Administration and the Marion County Public Defender Agency. He helped the community in a variety of areas, from defending criminal cases to helping retirees fight for benefits.  In 2022, he relocated to Colorado Springs, CO. 

As a student, he was very active in school government. During law school at the Indiana School of Law – Indianapolis, he was the Hispanic Law Society President (1997 - 1999) and the Student Bar Association Representative (1996 - 1998). At the University of Texas – Brownsville, he was Student Association Representative in 1993.

As a lawyer, he has been active in community outreach projects and programs. He was formerly the Hispanic National Bar Association - Region 9 President (2002 - 2003). He's participated in the Indiana State Bar Association Latino Affairs Committee and Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee (2002 - 2003), the National Association of Women Judges 26th Annual Conference Planning Committee, the Governor’s Council on Impaired and Dangerous Driving Media and Publicity Committee (2003 - 2004), and the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute STOP Implementation Planning Group (2003-2004). He's currently a Colorado Hispanic Bar Regional Representative and member of the National Hispanic Bar Association. 
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Colorado Springs Private Practice 
June 2022 - Present 

Indianapolis Private Practice
January 2010 - June 2022 

Deputy Public Defender                              
October 2004 – January 2010
Marion County Public Defender Agency - Indianapolis, IN
Trial Deputy in G20 Drug Court since December 2007, current probation violation defense in G03, previous assignments in Courts 18, G99, and night court. Lead litigation attorney on bench trials, juries, and probation violations.

Staff Attorney/Project Director                    
September 2001 - October 2004
Indiana Supreme Court State Court Administration - Indianapolis, IN
Staff Attorney to Commission on Race and Gender Fairness and Pro Se Commission; Pro Se Project Director, Court Interpreter Certification Manager. Administered training presentations on pro se, language, race and gender issues to judicial officers, attorneys, clerks and court staffs, and librarians. Directed meeting production, press releases and responses, and Commission reporting. Implemented pro se assistance programs for judges and courts statewide. Created and updated pro se forms and produced court staff training materials. Educated, trained and tested court interpreters. Assisted in the completion of the race and Gender fairness Executive Report and Indiana Court Interpreter Code of Ethics.

Managing Attorney                                           
December 2000 - August 2001
Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic - Indianapolis, IN
Legal Caseload and Pro Bono Manager for not-for-profit county-wide legal aid office. Pro bono administrator for over 100 volunteer attorneys, intake coordinator for numerous locations, Hispanic outreach director; represented clients in civil matters, including bankruptcy, landlord-tenant, consumer, immigration, and family law.

Deputy Public Defender                                   
November 1999 - December 2000
Marion County Public Defender Agency - Indianapolis, IN
Trial Deputy in courts 16 and 15. Lead litigation attorney on bench trials and juries; D felony caseload with probation violations.

Certified Intern                                                 
November 1998 - October 1999
Marion County Public Defender Agency - Indianapolis, IN
Paralegal duties in court 16. Assistant on bench trials, juries, and probation violations.

EDUCATION
 
Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis
J.D., May 1999, Admitted to Indiana Bar November 1999
Activities: Hispanic Law Society, President 1997-99; Student Bar Association, Representative 1996-98

University of Texas - Brownsville
B.A., Political Science, May 1996
Activities: Student Association 1993

SKILLS
Proficient in Spanish
 
PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT
Hispanic Nation Bar, Region 9 President 2002 - 2003;
Indiana State Bar Association Latino Affairs Committee and Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee 2002 - 2003;
National Association of Women Judges 26th Annual Conference Planning Committee;
Governor’s Council on Impaired and Dangerous Driving Media and Publicity Committee 2003 - 2004;
Indiana Criminal Justice Institute STOP Implementation Planning Group 2003 - 2004
Colorado Hispanic Bar Regional Representative - 2022
National Hispanic Bar Association - 2022
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