Sarah Evans Barker

Judge Sarah Evans Barker: A Veteran Jurist on the Southern District of Indiana Bench

Overview
The Honorable Sarah Evans Barker is a Senior United States District Judge for the Southern District of Indiana. Nominated by President Ronald Reagan, she was confirmed and received her commission on March 14, 1984, becoming the first female federal judge in Indiana. Judge Barker assumed senior status on June 30, 2014, after serving as an active judge for over 30 years, including a tenure as Chief Judge from 1994 to 2000. Prior to her judicial appointment, her career included roles as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, an associate and partner at the Indianapolis firm Bose, McKinney & Evans, and an Assistant U.S. Attorney. Her early career was in Washington, D.C., where she worked as a legislative assistant for Senator Charles H. Percy and Representative Gilbert Gude.

Patent Docket and Procedures
As a senior judge, Judge Barker maintains a reduced caseload. While the Southern District of Indiana is not a major patent litigation hotspot compared to districts like the Eastern District of Texas or the District of Delaware, it handles a number of intellectual property cases. The court has adopted a uniform case management plan specifically for patent cases, which applies to all judges in the district, including Judge Barker. This indicates a structured approach to managing complex patent litigation. Rulings from her court show that she presides over claim construction (Markman) hearings and issues detailed orders construing disputed patent terms. For instance, in a 2016 case involving five medical device patents, Judge Barker ruled on eighteen disputed terms following a Markman hearing.

Notable Rulings and Cases
The provided case list shows Judge Barker was initially assigned to Rare Breed Triggers Inc et al. v. Orion Arms Corp, a patent infringement case filed in February 2026 concerning "forced reset triggers" for firearms. Docket entries indicate the case was reassigned shortly after filing. These types of cases are part of a broader, multi-jurisdictional litigation campaign by Rare Breed Triggers to enforce its patents against various competitors. Judge Barker has also overseen other intellectual property disputes, including trademark and copyright cases. Her long tenure means she has issued numerous rulings on a wide array of legal topics, gaining a reputation as a highly regarded jurist.

Local Rules and Practices
The Southern District of Indiana has specific procedures that govern litigation before its judges. All judges, including Judge Barker, utilize a Uniform Case Management Plan for civil cases, with a dedicated version for patent litigation designed to streamline complex discovery and claim construction schedules. The court also has a standard Uniform Protective Order for handling confidential information. Parties are expected to adhere to the Seventh Circuit's Standards of Professional Conduct. Judge Barker's individual page on the court website provides guidance on her specific practices, directing counsel to the court's uniform orders for protective orders and sealed documents.