Marianne Mitten Owen

Marianne Owen is living her lifelong dream of being an attorney specializing in real estate and business transactions or, as she says, a "dirt lawyer."

She endeavors to turn obstacles into opportunities and relishes challenging convention when it stands in the way of a goal. "I frequently am found asking 'why?' or 'why not?'" says Marianne. "As early as high school I was intrigued by development possibilities presented in decaying urban areas that had been devastated by white flight. Where others saw harbor-side warehouses as eyesores, I saw them as vital waterfront residences and office areas. Through the years, time and again, I have had the privilege of assisting clients with successful projects like these."

Marianne strives to perpetuate the integrity and dignity of the legal profession with personality and a sense of humor. Through platforms offered to her by the Indiana State Bar Association, where she has served as treasurer, chair of the Young Lawyers Section, as well as member of the Board of Governors, Marianne enthusiastically invites her fellow lawyers to do the same.

"For myself and others, I want the practice of law to be challenging to the mind and rewarding to the soul," adds Marianne.

Marianne also has earned high regard in the greater Lafayette community where she co-founded a nonprofit corporation dedicated to providing visibility and funding to other nonprofits pursuing big dreams.

As Marianne says, "My goal is to help others achieve their goals."

Education

• Wellesley College, M.A., 1986; Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington, J.D., 1991

Bar Admission

• Indiana, 1991
• U.S. District Courts for Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, 1991.

Professional Associations

• Tippecanoe County Bar Association, member, 1991-present (Treasurer, 1993-1994)
• Indiana State Bar Association, member, 1991-present
  • Treasurer, 2004-2005
  • Board of Governors, 2000-2002 and 2004-2005
  • House of Delegates, 1997-present
  • Committee Appointments:
    • Budget and Finance, 1994-2001 [Chair, 2000-2001; Vice-Chair, 1998-2000]
    • Internet and Electronic Commerce Committee, 2000-present
    • Long Range Planning, 1992-1995, 2000-2004 [Chair, 2002-2004]
    • Membership and Membership Benefits, 1993-present
    • Nominating, 1995-1996, 1999-2000, 2004-2005
    • Professionalism, 2004-2005
    • Women in the Law, 1992-2001
  • Section Memberships: Business Law; Environmental Law; Land Use and Zoning; Professional Legal Education Admission and Development [Council Member, 2001-present]
  • Probate, Trust and Real Property Law; and Young Lawyers, 1995-2003 [Chair, 2001-2002; Chair-Elect, 2000-2001; Secretary/Treasurer, 2000; Director, 1995-2000]
• Indiana Bar Foundation, fellow, 1997-present
• Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, Long Range Planning Committee, 1997
• American Bar Association, member, 1991-present (Division Membership: Young Lawyers, 1991-2003.) (Section Memberships: Business Law [Committees: Banking Law, Uniform Commercial Code, Subcommittee on Secured Transactions]; Real Property, Probate and Trust Law; and State and Local Government)

Civic / Charitable Activities

• The Community House Association of Lafayette, Inc., member, 2000-2004 (Board of Directors, 2000-2004; Assistant Treasurer, 2002-2003; Budget and Finance Committee, Chair, 2002-2004)
• Lafayette-West Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, member, 1992-present (Committee Appointments: Environmental Task Force (Co-Chair, 1998-present)
• Leadership Lafayette, Class 11 graduate, 1991-1992
• The Marquis Foundation, Inc., Board of Directors, 1997-2001 (Co-Founder, 1997; Treasurer, 1998-99; Secretary/Treasurer, 1999-2000; Secretary, 2000-2001)
• Society of Indiana Pioneers, member, 1982-present (Board of Governors, 2004-2007)
• Wellesley College Club of Greater Lafayette, member, 1991-present (Alumnae Admissions Representative, 1992-present)
• Wellesley College Club of Indianapolis, member, 1991-1999 (Co-President, 1994-1998; Vice President/Secretary, 1992-1994)

Additional Information

• Indiana Leadership Forum, Indiana State Republican Committee, charter class graduate, 1994
• National Federation of Republican Women, Tippecanoe County Club, member