--- title: "Nathan Nikirk | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/nathan-nikirk-judge-lawrence-county-circuit-court-in" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-07-26" --- # Nathan Nikirk Lawrence County Circuit Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Lawrence County Circuit Court - State: Indiana - Role: Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### electronic evidence presentation Scope: statewide Indiana Rule 2.17 lets a judge authorize electronic or photographic means for evidence presentation, record perpetuation, or judicial administration. Evidence excerpt: a judge may authorize: (1) the use of electronic or photographic means for the presentation of evidence [Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.17: Prohibiting Broadcasting of Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/judicial-conduct/rule2-17/current.htm) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### photography recording Scope: statewide Indiana courtroom broadcasting, recording, digital streaming, and photography require judicial authorization under Rule 2.17. Evidence excerpt: No broadcast of a court proceeding is allowed without authorization from the judge. [Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.17: Prohibiting Broadcasting of Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/judicial-conduct/rule2-17/current.htm) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote non testimonial proceedings Scope: statewide Indiana courts may conduct non-testimonial hearings or conferences remotely on request or on the court's own order. Evidence excerpt: a court may, upon request or on its own order, conduct the hearing or conference as a remote proceeding [Indiana Administrative Rule 14: Remote Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/admin/rule14/current.htm) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote testimonial proceedings Scope: statewide Indiana testimonial proceedings are presumptively in person unless good cause is shown or the parties agree to remote participation. Evidence excerpt: A court must conduct all testimonial proceedings in person except that a court may conduct the proceedings remotely [Indiana Administrative Rule 14: Remote Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/admin/rule14/current.htm) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### camera request process Scope: statewide Indiana's public cameras guidance states that local judicial officers have discretion to authorize news-media cameras in non-confidential trial-court proceedings. Evidence excerpt: Judicial officers around the state have the authority to allow news media into their courtrooms [Indiana Judicial Branch: Cameras in Indiana Trial Courts](https://www.in.gov/courts/cameras/) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.in.gov/dA/73fb234765/court-directory.pdf?language_id=1) - [Official roster](https://www.in.gov/dA/73fb234765/court-directory.pdf?language_id=1) - [Indiana Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.in.gov/dA/73fb234765/court-directory.pdf?language_id=1) - [Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.17: Prohibiting Broadcasting of Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/judicial-conduct/rule2-17/current.htm) - [Indiana Administrative Rule 14: Remote Proceedings](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/admin/rule14/current.htm) - [Indiana Judicial Branch: Cameras in Indiana Trial Courts](https://www.in.gov/courts/cameras/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/nathan-nikirk-judge-lawrence-county-circuit-court-in", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/nathan-nikirk-judge-lawrence-county-circuit-court-in", "name": "Nathan Nikirk | KnowJudges", "description": "Nathan Nikirk, Lawrence County Circuit Court. 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Nikirk is a judge of the Lawrence County Circuit Court in Indiana, appointed in 2019 and elected in 2020, with a background in juvenile law, family law, and private legal practice - Circuit Court Judge in Lawrence County, Indiana, a position he was appointed by Governor Eric J. Holcomb in 2019 to fill a vacancy - Before becoming a judge, Nikirk was Juvenile Referee for the Lawrence County Circuit Court from 2018 to 2019, presiding over juvenile delinquency, Child in Need of Services (CHINS), Termination of Parental Rights (TPR), paternity, and child support enforcement cases. - His legal career began as a Pre-Hearing Attorney for the Michigan Court of Appeals (2008–2009), followed by private practice at Pittman, Emery & Nikirk (2009–2018), specializing in family law, probate, adoption, guardianship, and other civil matters ### Education - J.D. — Western Michigan University, Thomas M. Cooley Law School (2008) He also taught social studies at Seymour Middle School from 2003 to 2005 ### Additional information - Elected in the 2020 general election to serve a full term. - He also sat on the Lawrence County Juvenile Problem-Solving Court ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.17: Prohibiting Broadcasting of Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-16334af3e92d37ecdb2fa7b0) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/judicial-conduct/rule2-17/current.htm). Collected 2026-07-26. - [Indiana Administrative Rule 14: Remote Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-fc1c3983d9effb5bdfe80b9d) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://rules.incourts.gov/Content/admin/rule14/current.htm). Collected 2026-07-26.