James Bopp, Jr. Named Trustee of Indiana University

Governor Mike Braun today announced the appointment of James Bopp, Jr. of The Bopp Law Firm, PC as a Trustee of Indiana University. Mr. Bopp's appointment was one of four appointments made today by Governor Braun to the IU Board of Trustees.

Mr. Bopp said about his appointment: “I have dedicated my life to the protection of First Amendment Rights of all of our citizens and there is no place where it is more important that these rights are protected and nourished than on our university campuses. I am thrilled to be able to return to Indiana University to ensure that First Amendment rights are respected and protected for all faculty, students and staff so that free, robust and uninhibited debate is enjoyed by all which is central to the mission of the University.”

Furthermore, Mr. Bopp said: “I also look forward to partnering with my fellow Trustees who have demonstrated their talents in their careers and their commitment to the success of Indiana University and with the President, administration, faculty and staff of IU who have brought IU to its place as one of the most respected universities in the Nation. We are all dedicated to making IU an excellent educational institution.”

Finally, Mr. Bopp noted that: “Today David A. Reingold began his appointment as Chancellor of Indiana University Bloomington. He released a statement which I wholeheartedly endorse. He ended it with:

“We are a diverse community at IU Bloomington, and a passionate one. Our strength as a community of scholars comes from our shared core belief in excellence and commitment to the dissemination of ideas in the classroom and beyond. When we challenge one another respectfully and thoughtfully, we position ourselves to push beyond where we might otherwise go. With that in mind, I'm energized about what I know is possible when we draw on the best of one another, listen to the “better angels of our nature,” and come together to create an exceptional future for this campus, Indiana University, and the state of Indiana.”

Mr. Bopp has had a very extensive First Amendment law practice, involving numerous lawsuits brought to protect the First Amendment rights of parties, mainly regarding suppression of free speech and free association by campaign finance laws. As a result, he has won 9 of his 14 cases decided on the merits in the United States Supreme Court on First Amendment grounds.

As a result of his successful litigation, the ABA Journal called Mr. Bopp: “The most prominent lawyer in the country in campaign finance and election law.” The Washington DC insider publication ROLL CALL describe Bopp as “The pre-eminent election law attorney for conservative groups. He has scored a string of victories challenging restrictions on political activity on First Amendment grounds.” And in 2014, Reuters identified Bopp as one of an “elite cadre” of “lawyers (that) dominate the (U.S. Supreme Court) docket.”

Furthermore, in 2013, the National Law Journal named Mr. Bopp one of The 100 Most Influential Lawyers in America, and in 2012, the Journal of Law recognized Mr. Bopp as one of The Top Supreme Court Advocates of the Twenty-First Century.

Mr. Bopp has had extensive involvement with Indiana University, beginning as an undergraduate in 1966-70, when he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, with a double major in history and political science. While an undergraduate, Mr. Bopp's activities included:

Since graduating from IU, Mr. Bopp received a JD from the University of Florida College of Law in 1973 and returned home to Indiana, first as a Deputy Indiana Attorney General from 1973 to 1975 and then in private law practice in Indianapolis and in Terre Haute, his home town. Since 1992, he has practiced law with The Bopp Law Firm, PC, in Terre Haute.

Mr. Bopp has continued his relationship with Indiana University as a season ticket holder to both IU Men's and IU Women's basketball since 1976 and when two of his three daughters attended and graduated from IU Bloomington, one as an IU Cheerleader. In addition, Mr. Bopp's professional relationship with IU has included:

Finally, Mr. Bopp took the side of Indiana University students when IU imposed a COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate on all students. Mr. Bopp brought suit challenging the Mandate, which was ultimately unsuccessful on standing grounds. Klaassen v. The Trustees of Indiana University, 549 F. Supp. 3d 836 (N.D. Ind. 2021), 7 F.4th 592 (7th Cir. 2021); 24 F.4th 638 (7th Cir. 2022).

According to Mr. Bopp, “the arguments we made against the COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate have now been proven to be meritorious. We argued that the vaccination would not stop the spread of COVID, would not prevent students from getting COVID and would have serious adverse effects on students. We now know that all these arguments were true. I just regret that that was not recognized at the time.”