EARLY LIFE

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Molly Briles grew up next door to her grandparents' dairy farm in Osgood, Indiana. Molly graduated second in her high school class at Jac-Cen-Del Jr. Sr. High School. While in high school, she received the DAR Good Citizen Award and was a finalist to receive the Wendy's High School Heisman Award for Indiana scholar-athletes. She also participated in the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership conference, later returning as a conference counselor to help instill ideals of public service in other young people. Molly was involved in numerous sports and extracurricular activities, including Cross Country, Track & Field, Golf, Softball, Cheerleading, Yearbook, the Sunshine Society, and Spanish Club. Molly placed fourth in the high jump at the Indiana State Track Meet in 2003 and still holds the Jac-Cen-Del junior high and high school records for the high jump.

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COLLEGE

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Molly first moved to Evansville more than twenty years ago to attend the University of Southern Indiana. Molly graduated from USI magna cum laude with a double major in Psychology and Political Science. While at USI, she volunteered as a student ambassador and was an officer of the Pre-Law Club. Molly was a student-athlete on USI’s Track & Field team and was the Great Lakes Valley Conference outdoor high jump champion in 2005. She also received Academic All-Conference honors while at USI. The first in her immediate family to graduate from college, Molly worked throughout her college career and sometimes worked two jobs while maintaining her status as a full-time Honors student.

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DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SERVICES

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After graduating from USI, Molly worked for the Indiana Department of Child Services for approximately two years before attending law school. As a family case manager, she investigated claims of child abuse and neglect and worked with families and service providers to keep children safe. Because of this experience, Molly is steadfastly committed to ensuring the safety of children and reducing the trauma of all who may be involved with the legal system. 

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LAW SCHOOL

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Molly attended law school at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis, Indiana and graduated in the top 6% of her law school class. During law school, she interned for the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Molly also underwent training to become a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and volunteered as a CASA for Child Advocates, Inc. in Indianapolis for three years.

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Molly was a member of the Indiana Law Review and served as the Executive Notes Editor. While on law review, Molly researched and drafted an article which ultimately resulted in a change to Indiana law requiring the Department of Child Services to maintain investigation files for a longer period of time to help ensure the safety of Indiana’s children. She also received the Norman Lefstein Award of Excellence for completing more than 200 pro bono hours during her law school career.

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LEGAL EXPERIENCE

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After law school, Molly clerked for the Indiana Court of Appeals before returning to Evansville. In this position, she reviewed trial court records, conducted extensive legal research, and drafted appellate opinions. Due to this experience, Molly has a unique insight into the importance of a clear trial record and how to avoid reversal at the appellate court level. 

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After returning to Evansville, Molly entered into private practice as a family law and civil litigation attorney with Ziemer, Stayman, Weitzel & Shoulders, LLP. She represented clients at the trial and appellate level in state and federal courts and represented various boards and commissions as a deputy City attorney. Molly served as a court-appointed Guardian ad Litem in family law cases. Skilled at conflict resolution, Molly also mediated family law and civil cases. Molly handled numerous pro bono matters for clients who could not otherwise afford representation.

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JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE

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In 2019, the seven Vanderburgh County Superior Court Judges selected Molly to serve as a Magistrate based on her legal knowledge, professionalism, and litigation experience. As a Magistrate in Vanderburgh County’s highest-volume courts, Molly regularly presides over civil, criminal, and family law matters as well as protective order and mental health commitment hearings. 

 

Molly also serves as a judicial officer with Vanderburgh County’s adult treatment court. In this role, Molly works closely with community corrections and treatment providers in our community to ensure that those suffering from addiction can find a safe path forward into recovery while providing the necessary accountability to foster success. 

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LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, AND AWARDS

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Throughout her career, Molly has repeatedly demonstrated her dedication to improving our court system by ensuring access to justice and justice for victims. 

 

While in private practice, Molly created and administered a protective order pro bono project which recruited local attorneys to provide free legal advice and representation to victims of domestic violence. This project allowed domestic violence survivors to have the support they needed to follow through with leaving their abusers. For these efforts, Molly was awarded the Indiana Bar Foundation's Pro Bono Publico Award and the Evansville Bar Association's Susan K. Helfrich Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Services. 

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Molly previously served on the board of directors for the Parenting Time Center, a not-for-profit agency which provides supervised parenting time, safe exchanges, and co-parenting education for parents in high-conflict parenting time situations. She also volunteers for the Youth Resources Teen Court program and has volunteered as a Mock Trial Judge for local students. Molly is also a member of the Junior League of Evansville. 

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Molly is an active member of the Evansville Bar Association (EBA) and is a board member of the Evansville Bar Foundation and the Vanderburgh Law Library Foundation. She is the current chair of the EBA Bench and Bar Committee. Molly has served as a past chair of the EBA Family Law Section and as a past co-chair of the EBA Access to Justice Committee. She also co-chaired the EBA’s Taskforce on Racial Equality, Equity, and Inclusion.

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The Indiana Supreme Court has appointed Molly to multiple committees dedicated to improving the court system. She is currently serving her second term with the Indiana Innovation Initiative, a committee created by the Indiana Supreme Court to develop and implement innovative solutions to challenges faced by those who interact with the court system. Molly was recently appointed to Indiana’s delegation to the National Courts and Sciences Institute to evaluate the use of artificial intelligence in the legal system. She also serves on the Indiana Supreme Court’s Domestic Relations Benchbook Committee. 

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Molly regularly provides continuing legal education training to local attorneys and has been a continuing legal education speaker at a statewide judicial conference. She also volunteers to speak to students about the court system, the importance of the separation of powers, and civic engagement. 

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PERSONAL

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Molly met her husband, Evansville native and Harrison High School graduate Arrick Briles, while attending USI. Molly and Arrick have two sons who attend school in Vanderburgh County. In her spare time, Molly enjoys spending time with her family, watching her children participate in extracurricular activities, and working on DIY home renovations. 

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PROMISE​

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If elected as Vanderburgh Circuit Court Judge, Magistrate Molly Briles will never stop working to improve our local court system. Magistrate Briles has been a dedicated public servant and believes in integrity, transparency, compassion, and accountability in our judicial system. For a legal system you can trust, vote for Magistrate Molly Briles for Circuit Court Judge.

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If elected, Molly would become the first female Circuit Court Judge

and only the second elected female judge in Vanderburgh County history.

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However, that is not why you should vote for her.

You should vote for her because of her experience, qualifications, and dedication 

and because she is the best person for the position.