Sparking Interest – Finderson Law in Northeast Indiana with Junior Achievement

On November 3 and 4^th, 2026, the team at Finderson Law participated in JA JobSpark - a career and workforce ready initiative of Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana. This program connects thousands of area students to businesses and organizations in northern Indiana to "spark" their interest in careers and get them excited for their future. JA JobSpark provides the opportunity for students to learn about the skills needed for careers as well as the education or training necessary to achieve their career goals. This year was held at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum over two days, hosting over 9,200 students, and more than sixty other businesses, exhibitors, and organizations.

Thanks to an invite from Development Director Peyton Rhodes Yarian, Finderson Law was one of the first law-focused organizations to attend JA JobSpark since its beginning, six years ago. Students in grades 8-12 explore eight different industry clusters and learn about careers from the region through discussion, demonstrations, and activities. Delaney, Elizabeth, and Dylan set up Hunting the Evidence Bingo! As a law firm, there must be a “reason why”, and proving every aspect of a case. In the legal field, that is done with evidence. Like a detective, kind of, as several students pointed out. The team stood ready to answer questions about getting into the field of law, how education plays a part, and the wide variety available in the field.

HUNTING FOR EVIDENCE BINGO: Civil Law Challenge

This activity explained that a good lawyer doesn’t just make guesses or write papers - they ask questions, listen carefully, and collect evidence. Each student had already seen a few examples of important evidence at the Finderson Law table; but for the students, the evidence is hidden in the people around them at JA! To do so, they needed to talk to other professionals, volunteers, and students at the conference to complete their investigation. Three rules: 1) they must have every spot on the Board signed! 2) Someone can only sign each Board once! 3) Ask, Listen, Follow Up – make notes on the back of what they learned from each person! The goal was not to find the “right” person—it was to discover something that they did not know before. Over the two-day event, several students completed a “black-out” Bingo and took home a small prize.

What's Cooking in Junior Achievement?

Finderson Law is grateful to be a part of such a fantastic community as Northeast Indiana since 2014. Next time, be sure to catch the team at JA Ignite on April 14^th and 15^th of 2027, back at the Coliseum. JA Career Ignite® is an in-person learning experience for high school students that connects juniors and seniors to post-secondary opportunities: Employment, Enrollment, Enlistment, and Entrepreneurship. This career fair will help students navigate their next steps in life by bringing together information about colleges, careers, military service and entrepreneurship opportunities in northeast Indiana. Students will have the opportunity to explore future pathways and develop next steps towards their career goals. JA is still looking for more businesses and organizations to participate to jump-start students in the local community – if interested, registration is available through the JA Career Ignite website. Keep the spark alive and well!