Meet the Judges

Civil cases involve a wide array of legal matters, including, personal injury, medical malpractice, business disputes, probate, and debt collections. Judge Avery currently handles the requests for conditional driving privileges filed with the Civil Division. Until September 2020, Judge Avery had overseen mental health detentions and commitments. He was involved in the implementation of the CIT program for the Fort Wayne Police Department and he has assisted in the CIT training of law enforcement officers. Judge Avery serves on the Board of Directors of The Carriage House.

Throughout his tenure as a judge, Judge Avery has been active in the Indiana Judicial Conference serving on several state judicial committees. He currently serves on the Judicial Alternate Dispute Resolution Committee.

Judge Avery been committed to the development of voluntary pro bono legal services on behalf of indigent citizens in need of legal services. He serves as a member of the board of directors of the Volunteer Lawyer Program of Northeastern Indiana and is currently serving as the Chair of the Board of Directors of Pro Bono Indiana.

During his tenure, Judge Avery has received recognition from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and Mental Health America in Allen County for his service on behalf of the mentally ill. He has also received the Outstanding Judge Award from the Young Lawyers Section of the Indiana State Bar Association and the Civility Award from the Litigation Section of the Indiana State Bar Association.

Updated: December 2023

Earlier, he was in private practice at a Fort Wayne litigation firm for 5 years, and was a law clerk for Judge William C. Lee in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana. Judge Bobay obtained his J.D. degree, cum laude, from the Indiana University Mauer School of Law (Bloomington), and his undergrad degree from Indiana University, Fort Wayne.

Judge Bobay is chair of the Indiana Commercial Committee, appointed by Chief Justice Loretta Rush in 2013 to establish Commercial Courts in Indiana. He is one of ten Commercial Court Judges in Indiana. He has served the Judicial Conference of Indiana on several committees, including its Board of Governors. He is currently serving on the Civil Jury Instructions Committee. He previously served on the Judicial Administration Committee, Problem Solving Courts Committee, Domestic Relations Committee, Jury Rules Committee, and Magistrate Committee. Judge Bobay chaired a committee of judicial officers who rewrote the Appointed Judicial Officers Deskbook for Indiana Judges and Magistrates. He has served as a member of the Indiana Judges Association Board of Managers, the Allen County Bar Association Board of Directors, Volunteer Lawyers Program of Northeast Indiana Board of Directors, and as an officer of the local American Inns of Court.

He has been married to his wife Nancy for over 40 years, and they have three adult children. He is an active member of his church, and worked on multiple church missions to help rebuild housing for victims of natural disasters. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Lincoln Collection, had been president of the St. Thomas More Society of Fort Wayne, was a member of the Board of Directors of ACRES Land Trust, is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Fort Wayne Running Club, and taught in the Department of Public Policy at Purdue University at Fort Wayne for ten years. He was twice named the outstanding Public Policy part time faculty member.

Judge Bobay writes extensively and instructs frequently on various topics in the law. His work has been published in state and local bar journals and he has regularly taught continuing legal education courses for Indiana Judges and attorneys. Bobay’s favorite aspects of his job include encouraging litigants to cooperatively seek agreed resolutions of their disputes, encouraging civility among lawyers, and giving tours of the historic Allen County Courthouse.

UPDATED: February 2021

Judge DeGroote is currently a member of the Civil Jury Instruction Committee for the Indiana Judges Association. She also serves as a Commissioner for the Indiana Commission for Continuing Legal Education. She previously served on the Special Courts Committee and Protection Order Committee of the Indiana Judges Association, the Indiana Supreme Court’s Eviction Task Force and the Small Claims Working Group for the Commission on Equity and Access in the Court System.

As a presenter at continuing legal education seminars, Judge DeGroote has made significant contributions to the legal education of members of the bar and she has served as a guest speaker for many local agencies and associations to address topics pertaining to court procedures. She has also been involved in judicial and court reform efforts at the local and state levels to improve the experience of litigants who appear in court.

Judge Godfrey graduated from Ball State University in 1987 with a degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Political Science. He graduated from Valparaiso University School of Law in 1990. Following graduation from law school, Godfrey started a clerkship with the Allen Superior Court under Judge John F. Surbeck, Jr., and Judge Philip R. Thieme.

Upon completion of his clerkship, Godfrey was hired by the Lake County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. He began as a deputy in the Misdemeanor Division, an assignment which lasted for several months. Godfrey was then promoted to the Drug Crime Prosecution Unit. As a member of the Drug Unit he assisted in preparation of search warrants with local law enforcement and provided legal advice during execution of those warrants. Godfrey tried several possession and dealing cases. Eventually Godfrey was promoted to trying sexual assaults, violent crimes, and homicide cases.

In August of 1999, Judge Godfrey was hired by the Allen County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Godfrey started out trying cases in the ABC Felony Division. On November 24, 1999, Godfrey was promoted to Chief Counsel of the Criminal Division. As Chief Counsel of the criminal division, Judge Godfrey oversaw the charging and prosecution of Murder and violent felony cases in Allen County.

On May 15, 2018, Godfrey was selected as a Magistrate with the Allen Circuit Court. As Magistrate, Godfrey presided over criminal, civil, family, and IV-D cases. Additionally, Godfrey ran three problem solving courts: Veterans Court, Restoration Court and Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated (OVWI) Court. The OVWI Court is the first of its kind in the State of Indiana.

As Judge, Judge Godfrey oversees Superior Court’s HOPE Probation program.

During nearly 25 years on the bench, Judge Gull has gained statewide and national renown as an innovator in areas including jury management, restorative justice and the use of technology in the courts. She has been honored many times for her contributions to the criminal justice system, including with the 2015 G. Thomas Munsterman Award for Jury Innovation, presented by the National Center for State Courts.

Since 2002, Judge Gull has supervised Allen County’s nationally renowned Drug Court program. The program, which promotes recovery from addiction and restoration of families torn apart by substance abuse. In 2020, the program was approaching 1,000 graduates, making it among the most successful and impactful in the country.

Judge Gull received a bachelor’s degree in political science from St. Joseph’s College in 1980. She received a juris doctor from the Valparaiso University School of Law in 1983. After receiving her law degree, Judge Gull began her legal career in Allen Superior Court, serving as a law clerk in the Family and Criminal divisions during 1983 and 1984.

Prior to becoming Judge, from 1987 until 1996, Gull served in the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office. She rose to the position of Chief Deputy Prosecutor, a role in which she served from 1990 until her election to the Superior Court bench. In the Prosecutor’s Office, she also served as Chief Counsel, Criminal Division; Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Sex Crimes Unit; and Section Chief, Felony Division.

During her judicial career, Judge Gull served in both Allen Circuit and Superior Courts. During 1988 and 1989, she served a Magistrate in Circuit Court’s Civil Division. Between 1984 and 1987, she also held roles as Probate Commissioner and Traffic Court Referee in Superior Court.

In the Prosecutor’s Office, Judge Gull prosecuted hundreds of offenders. In the Sex Crimes Unit, she was responsible for cases of sexual assault against women and children. Later, as Section Chief in major felonies, her trial schedule expanded to include robbery, burglary, arson, battery and other serious felony offenses. As Chief Counsel and then as Chief Deputy, she was responsible for the prosecution of all homicides, high profile felony cases, arson investigations, and cases involving political figures.

Her service to the community has earned Judge Gull many recognitions. In 1995, she was the recipient of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association Law Enforcement Oscar Award for Outstanding Achievement and Service. In 1996, she received a Special Award from the Fraternal Order of Police for outstanding service to the Allen County Law Agencies. In 1997, she was recognized by the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence for outstanding contribution to S.T.O.P. Grant Judges and Prosecutors Training. She was recognized in 2002 by the Indiana District Ten Little League Baseball as a Hometown Hero. She was one of the recipients of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette’s Citizen of the Year Award in 2002. In 2003, she received a Community Service Award from the Fort Wayne Fire Department for contributions to their Diversity Training. In 2015, the National Center for State Courts presented Judge Gull with the G. Thomas Munsterman Award for Jury Innovation, recognizing her work to make jury management more effective and more representative.

Since 1989, she has provided training and lectures on search and seizure, general criminal law, juvenile law, domestic violence, arson investigation, and issues relating to prosecution and the criminal justice system, including Indiana’s Jury Rules, trial advocacy and courtroom testimony. Judge Gull has also been a guest speaker/lecturer for many community and business organizations, as well as schools at all educational levels.

Judge Gull is a member of SCAN’s Campaign for Children, the Allen County Community Corrections Executive Board, the Indiana Judicial Center’s Strategic Planning Committee and the Indiana Judges Association. She serves as church Delegate to Concordia Lutheran High School on behalf of her church, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. Since 2016, she has served as a volunteer Guardian and member of the Volunteer Corps, Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana.

(Updated February 2021)

Judge Morgan received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and her law degree from the University of Iowa. She is a former member and chair of the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Commission, a former member of the Indiana Juvenile Benchbook, Domestic Relations Committees and GAL/CASA Advisory Commission. She is currently chair of the Guardian Ad Litem Family Oversight Committee, and is a member of the Juvenile Justice Improvement Committee of the Indiana Judicial Conference.

Judge Morgan serves as a character and fitness interviewer for those seeking admission to the Indiana bar and also served on the Pathways to the Bench and Bar Workgroup which is a subcommittee of the Indiana Supreme Court’s Commission on Equity and Access whose primary focus was to explore solutions to increase the number of historically underrepresented lawyers practicing law and serving on the bench.

Judge Morgan is a member of the Indiana Judges Association, National Association of Women Judges, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, Indiana Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and is a member of the Allen County Bar Association where she serves on the Family Law Executive Committee. She is a 2005 graduate of the Indiana Judicial College and a 2009 graduate of the Indiana Graduate Program for Judges.

In 2005, she was a recipient of the Indiana Newscenter’s Women in Leadership Award. In 2009, she was a recipient of an NAACP Award for outstanding service to the community in the area of justice for the families and children of Fort Wayne. That same year, she received an award from ITT Technical Institute for her commitment to improving the lives of children and families in Allen County. In March of 2021, she received recognition from the Fort Wayne NAACP “Win” for her work in the field of law and in October of 2021, received recognition from Great Kids make Great Communities for her service to the community. In May of 2023, she was awarded the Champions of Change Award in Public Service from Greater Fort Wayne, Inc. In September of 2023, she received the Jeanne S. Miller Trailblazer Award from the Allen County Bar Association.

In February of 2023, Judge Morgan along with many community agencies, advocates and supporters founded the Allen Superior Court Family Domestic Violence Court which serves parents, guardian and custodians in CHINS proceedings. The Court’s mission is to reduce the risk of violence by empowering survivors and assisting those who have engaged in acts of domestic violence by providing resources to achieve a safe and healthy family.

Updated March 2024

Prior to being appointed to the bench, Judge Trevino was Magistrate in the Allen Circuit Court, having been appointed to the position in 2013 by Judge Thomas J. Felts. She presided primarily over the Allen Circuit Court IV-D Division, but also heard criminal, civil, and family relations matters. In November of 2013, Judge Trevino started a collaboration between the Allen Circuit Court and WorkOne of Northeast Indiana to provide employment, education, and vocational rehabilitation services to child support obligors.

Judge Trevino grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she graduated from South Side High School. She is a 1999 graduate of Saint Joseph’s College, and in 2003, she received her J.D. from the Indiana University School of Law (now the Maurer School of Law).

Prior to becoming a Magistrate, Judge Trevino practiced law for approximately 10 years. During that time, her practice was primarily concentrated in the areas of family law, civil litigation, and appellate work. Judge Trevino has experience arguing cases in various trial courts around the State, and was chosen to present oral arguments to both the Indiana Court of Appeals and the Indiana Supreme Court. She also served as Guardian Ad Litem for children involved in custody or parenting time disputes.

Before joining the judiciary, Judge Trevino regularly volunteered for Legal Line, a program sponsored by the Allen County Bar Association that provides free legal advice to callers in need. She also dedicated time to local youths, serving as a soccer coach for the Fort Wayne Sport Club, and as a cheerleading and soccer coach for students at South Side High School and Canterbury Middle School. Judge Trevino is a past President and Board Member of the South Side Alumni Association, and also served on the South Side Foundation, where she dedicated her efforts to granting scholarships to deserving students. In 2014, The Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly named her to its “Top Forty Under 40,” an honor bestowed upon individuals younger than 40 who are making a difference in northeast Indiana both on the job and in the community.

Judge Trevino currently serves as a member of the Indiana Supreme Court’s Juvenile Justice Improvement Committee. She previously served on the Board of the Indiana Chapter of the Association of Family & Conciliation Courts. In 2016, the Supreme Court appointed Judge Trevino to its Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee. Judge Trevino regularly serves as a lecturer on topics in the area of domestic relations and juvenile delinquency. She was chosen to participate in the National Judicial College’s Faculty Development Program, aimed at training presenters/lecturers for statewide and/or national judicial conferences.

Locally, Judge Trevino is a member of the Fort Wayne United Steering Committee and the Board of Directors of the Allen County Bar Foundation, Inc. She previously served as a member of the Allen County Bar Association’s Family Law Executive Committee.

Updated: April 2019

In 2001, Judge Williams received his Juris Doctorate from the Baylor University School of Law. While at Baylor, he served as a senior editor of the Baylor University Law Review and a Moot Court Barrister.

In 2002, Judge Williams returned to Indiana to practice with the law firm of Hunt Suedhoff Kalamaros, LLP. He was made a partner in 2010 and continued with Hunt Suedhoff until his appointment to the bench. In eighteen years, his practice included the areas of insurance defense litigation, state and federal civil rights, products liability, construction law, medical malpractice, personal injury, municipality law, administrative law, probate, family law, and appellate law. Judge Williams briefed and argued appeals before the Indiana Supreme Court, the Indiana Court of Appeals, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

While practicing law, Judge Williams was named an Indiana “Super Lawyer-Rising Star” in 2012 and 2013. He was named an Indiana “Super Lawyer” in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

Judge Williams is actively involved in the community as well as the legal profession. He was President of the Allen County Bar Association in 2018 and 2019, after previously serving as Board Secretary. He was President of the New Lawyers Section of the Allen County Bar Association in 2005 and 2006. He is a current member and Master of the Benjamin Harrison Inns of Court. Judge Williams is Chair of the Parkview YMCA Board of Directors and a past chair of its Fundraising Committee. He serves as Board Secretary for the Allen County Bar Foundation.

In addition to a docket consisting of civil cases, Judge Williams serves as the mental health judge in Allen County. He is responsible for issuing emergency detention orders for mental health evaluations and deciding Petitions for Involuntary Commitments. He also oversees the Superior Court’s Mental Health Task Force which includes members of law enforcement, mental healthcare providers, and community mental health advocates.

A lifelong Hoosier, Judge Williams has lived in Fort Wayne since 2002. He has been married to his wife, Kim, since 1999. They have three sons.

Updated: January 2022

Judge Zent was previously a Magistrate in the Misdemeanor and Traffic Division of Allen Superior Court having been appointed to that position in May of 2015. Prior to becoming a Magistrate, Judge Zent was a private attorney, a public defender in both State Court and Federal Court and served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Allen County from 2002-2004.

Judge Zent is the supervising Judge of Re-Entry Court, a certified Problem Solving Court. Re-Entry Court provides returning inmates the tools with which to successfully re-integrate back into the community with the assistance of G.P.S. Electronic Monitoring supervision, case management, and field officer home visits. Participants in the program participate in job searches and programming for behavioral change to help prevent recidivism.

Judge Zent helped develop and oversees Allen Counties Criminal Rule 26 Pre-Trial Release Program. State Law requires that a person arrested of a crime, that does not present a substantial risk of flight or danger to themselves or others should be released without having to pay a money bail or surety. Exceptions to the law include a person arrested for murder or treason or the person already has another active criminal case. An interview and investigation process along with an evidence based release matrix was developed to protect the rights of a person accused of a crime as well as the safety of the community.

Judge Zent was elected by the Judges of five counties to represent them as the District 5 representative on the Indiana Judges Association – Board of Managers. Judge Zent has been on the IJA Board of Managers since January of 2021. Judge Zent was appointed to the Allen County Community Corrections – Advisory Board in 2019.

Judge Zent is a 1994 graduate of Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger High School, a 1998 graduate of Indiana University and a 2002 graduate of the University of Dayton, School of Law. Judge Zent was admitted to the Indiana Bar in October of 2002.