Hill
Hamilton County’s judges have appointed local attorney P. Chadwick Hill to serve as a court commissioner. Hill started in the position on Aug. 10, but he will take part in an official robing ceremony at 4 p.m. this afternoon at the Hamilton County Government and Judicial Center in Noblesville.
“Hamilton County’s caseload is one of the heaviest in Indiana,” Hamilton County Superior Court 5 Judge David K. Najjar said. “Commissioner Hill comes to the bench with 22 years of experience as an attorney, frequently representing clients in the various Hamilton County courts. He will be critical in supporting the work of the Circuit and Superior Courts.”
Hamilton County requested a new magistrate from the General Assembly to help alleviate its backlog of work. The state legislature granted that request, but the position does not take effect until next year. The Hamilton County Council, recognizing the immediate need of the courts, created the position of commissioner to fill that need until the magistrate position becomes effective.
“I’m excited to join this distinguished panel of judges,” Hill said. “I have been practicing in front of a majority of these judges for decades. We’ve known each other for a very long time. Their familiarity with me, and mine with them, certainly gave us both confidence that this appointment would be a good fit.”
Commissioners and magistrates work for and with elected judges in a county. Magistrates are created by the state and are considered state employees. Commissioners are created by the county and are considered county employees. Hamilton County’s magistrates and commissioners handle a wide variety of cases, both civil and criminal, assigned to them by the presiding judges.
Hill has served as an attorney in criminal and civil litigation, personal injury and entertainment representation since 1998, most recently for the Garrison Law Firm. He has litigation experience in both state and federal courts.
A graduate of St. Louis University, Hill went to law school at the University of Detroit-Mercy. An Indianapolis native, his father was a judge for the Superior Court of Marion County. Hill is married and lives in Westfield with his three children.