Chris Gaal
• Over twenty years of diverse experience in civil and criminal law in both the public and private sectors.
• Broad experience with public communication, decision-making, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Community leader and elected official for eighteen years with many positive accomplishments.
Prosecuting Attorney, Monroe County, Indiana
2007 to 2018. Elected to three terms.
- Administered an office with a 3.9 million dollar budget and sixty employees, including eighteen attorneys.
- Conducted jury trials in high-profile serious felony cases.
- Determined policies, performance standards and measurements for charging and handling criminal cases (approximately 1200 felonies and 4000 misdemeanors per year), the collection of child support, and the provision of adult protective services.
- Managed a public process to set funding priorities and present an annual budget proposal for approval by government officials.
- Engaged with community leaders to develop valuable problem-solving resources, build collaborative interdisciplinary partnerships, and promote prevention and eduction efforts.
- Important initiatives included the creation of a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program, Susie’s Place Child Advocacy Center, and leading state-wide efforts to improve Indiana’s Adult Protective Services (APS) program.
- Senior Prosecutor currently contracting with several Indiana counties as a special prosecutor in specific criminal investigations and cases.
City Council, Bloomington, Indiana
2000-2006. Elected to two terms.
- At-Large Representative 2004-2006.
- District VI 2000-2003.
- President, 2002-2003, Vice President 2001.
- Reviewed and approved the annual budget for the City of Bloomington in a public process.
- Passed local ordinances and resolutions.
- Communicated and negotiated with diverse constituents and other elected officials as a public servant.
- Important initiatives included the smoking ordinance, development of the Alternative Transportation and Greenways Plan, the creation of the B-Line Trail, the Growth Policies Plan, and the zoning ordinance.
Miller & Gaal, Attorneys at Law
1998-2006
Private law practice representing clients in criminal defense, general civil litigation, family law and immigration cases throughout south-central Indiana.
Kelley School of Business
2004
Instructor in Business Law
- Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council (IPAC), Board member 2010 to present, Chair 2012-2013. Adult Protective Services Committee, Chair. Elder, Delinquency, Domestic Violence, and Sex Crimes Committee.
- Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools, Board Member, 2009-2018.
- Chamber of Commerce, Franklin Initiative, Advisory Board Member.
- Bloomington Plan Commission, 2001, 2005, 2006.
- WFHB Bloomington Community Radio, Board of Directors 2001-2003.
- Monroe County Solid Waste Management District, Board of Directors, 2000.
- Bloomington Environmental Resources Advisory Committee, 2000-2006.
- Jack Hopkins Social Services Funding Committee, 2002-2006.
- Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, 2002-2003.
Doctor of Jurisprudence, Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington, Indiana, 1997.
Bachelor of the Arts, Indiana University, Political Science and Philosophy,1991.
Civil Mediation Training, 40 hour course required to become an Indiana Registered Civil Mediator.
Indiana Trial Advocacy College.
National Advocacy Center, Trial Advocacy Training, National College of District Attorneys.
National District Attorneys Association (NDAA)
- Executive Program Course
- Career Prosecutor Course
- Evidence for Prosecutors
- Homicide
- Successful Trial Strategies
- The Digital Prosecutor
- Prosecuting Sexual Assault & Related Crimes
- Haines Turner Award, for contributions to justice that heal and restore the Monroe County Community, Community Justice & Mediation Center (CJAM), 2016.
- Sharon Brehm Alcohol Awareness Award, Indiana University, 2014.
- Award for Outstanding Leadership as Chairman, Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council Board of Directors, 2012-2013.
- Outstanding Legal Professional, Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault (INCASA), 2010.
- Visionary Leader Award, Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, 2009.
- Outstanding Service Award, Campus-Community Commission on Alcohol, 2008.
- Award for Distinguished Leadership by an Elected Official, Indiana Planning Association, 2003.