INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The man who served as the chief legal counsel for former Govs. Joe Kernan and the late Frank O'Bannon will become the new executive director of Indiana Legal Services on April 1.

The board of directors of the legal aid organization has selected Jon Laramore to become the group's first new executive director in 45 years. He will succeed Norman Metzger.

Laramore is a Plymouth native and a partner with Faegre Baker Daniels who has argued more than 100 cases in state and federal appeals courts.

Indiana Legal Services is a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides legal help to people all 92 Indiana counties through offices in Bloomington, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Lafayette, Merrillville, New Albany and South Bend.