Judge Jewell Harris: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Jewell Harris is the probate commissioner for the Lake County Circuit Court in Indiana.

Prior to his appointment, Harris was an attorney at the Harris Law Firm, a practice he founded in 2009. During his tenure there, he specialized in civil litigation and municipal law matters. Harris continues to practice with the firm, serving as legal counsel to the Lake County Board of Commissioners, the Lake County Sheriff, the Gary Sanitary District, the Gary Housing Authority, the School City of East Chicago, and the Michigan City Common Council.

Harris earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Indiana University in 1997. He also completed a J.D. at Valparaiso University School of Law in 2000. As a law student, Harris interned with the Porter County Circuit Court and the Porter County Superior Court.

After graduating from law school, Harris entered into private practice at Hodges & Davis in Northwest Indiana. He supplemented his practice with service as the deputy executive director for the Chicago-Gary Regional Airport Authority’s Bi-State Compact.

His memberships have included the Lake County Bar Association, the Indiana State Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. He has also been involved with the Indiana Supreme Court’s Commission on Race & Gender Fairness.

Born and raised in Gary, Indiana, Harris attended Andrean High School. He and his wife, Julia, have two children.