Newly Appointed Thomas E. Wheeler II Takes Oath as Temporary U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana
Tom Wheeler Appointed Interim U.S. Attorney for Southern District of Indiana
Tom E. Wheeler II, a distinguished legal figure with over 36 years of experience, has been appointed as the Interim United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. The appointment, made by United States Attorney General Pam Bondi, was effective on July 14, 2025, and is pending Senate confirmation by President Donald J. Trump.
Wheeler's career spans a wide range of legal practice, government service, and academic achievements. He began his legal journey by earning a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University Bloomington and a Juris Doctor from Indiana University Maurer School of Law. Prior to his current role, Wheeler served as Acting General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Education, overseeing a broad portfolio of divisions, including Appellate, Criminal, Disability Rights, Education, Immigrant and Employee Rights, Housing, Voting, and others.
Wheeler's government service also includes a stint as Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice, a role that saw him oversee divisions such as Appellate, Criminal, Disability Rights, Education, Immigrant and Employee Rights, Housing, and Voting. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wheeler worked closely with the Center for Disease Control and the White House Coronavirus Task Force, particularly on crisis management relating to jails and prisons.
In addition to his government roles, Wheeler has been a partner at several Indianapolis-based law firms, including Bose McKinney & Evans LLP and Frost Brown Todd (formerly Locke Reynolds). His professional excellence in the legal community is reflected in his recognition by The Best Lawyers in America® and Indiana Super Lawyers®, and he was named Municipal Lawyer of the Year in 2016.
Wheeler's career highlights also include serving as Senior Counsel to the Secretary of Education during the COVID-19 pandemic and playing a key role in the creation of Indiana's voter ID law, upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in Crawford v. Marion County Election Board (2008). He has also served on numerous boards and commissions, including as Chair of the Hate Crimes Subcommittee for the Federal Violent Crime Reduction Task Force.
Wheeler's swearing-in ceremony was conducted by United States District Court Judge James R. Sweeney, and he has been recognized for many years in The Best Lawyers in America® and Indiana Super Lawyers®. He is also a Burton Award for Legal Achievement winner for his work on cyberbullying and hate crimes.
As Interim U.S. Attorney, Wheeler will provide legal counsel to over 3,300 elected sheriffs nationwide and lead federal prosecution and legal affairs in Southern Indiana. His distinguished career and extensive legal expertise make him well-suited for this role.
[1] Indiana Lawyer. (2025). Tom Wheeler named interim U.S. Attorney for Southern District of Indiana. Retrieved from https://www.theindianalawyer.com/news/147243/Tom-Wheeler-named-interim-U-S-Attorney-for-Southern-District-of-Indiana
[2] Indianapolis Business Journal. (2025). Tom Wheeler named interim U.S. Attorney for Southern District of Indiana. Retrieved from https://www.ibj.com/articles/87807-tom-wheeler-named-interim-u-s-attorney-for-southern-district-of-indiana
[3] National Law Journal. (2025). Tom Wheeler named interim U.S. Attorney for Southern District of Indiana. Retrieved from https://www.law.com/nationallawjournal/2025/07/15/tom-wheeler-named-interim-u-s-attorney-for-southern-district-of-indiana/
[4] American Bar Association. (2025). Tom Wheeler named interim U.S. Attorney for Southern District of Indiana. Retrieved from https://www.americanbar.org/groups/litigation/committees/white_collar/newsletter_archive/2025/july_2025/tom_wheeler_named_interim_u_s_attorney_for_southern_district_of_indiana/
- Tom Wheeler's extensive experience in civil rights, policy-and-legislation, and criminal justice matters, along with his role as Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, make him a valuable asset in addressing general news topics such as hate crimes, voter ID laws, and crisis management in jails and prisons.
- In his new role as Interim U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Tom Wheeler will navigate the complexities of politics by providing legal counsel to over 3,300 elected sheriffs nationwide and leading federal prosecution and legal affairs, taking on challenges in areas such as crime-and-justice, policy-and-legislation, and civil rights.
