In a recent episode of the Diamond Podcast, host and local real estate agent Alfredo Diamond sat down with Andrew J. Sickman (AJ), a prominent legal professional who serves as both city attorney for Richmond and partner at BBCS Law Office, as well as owner of Abstracts of Richmond Title Company.
Richmond Roots and Educational Journey
AJ Sickman is a Richmond native who graduated from Richmond High School in 2004 before attending Ball State University. Interestingly, he initially pursued a teaching degree before an insightful professor suggested he consider law instead. As AJ recalls, his professor told him, “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re in the wrong profession,” noting his keen interest in educational law.
This pivotal moment led him to Valparaiso for law school. Throughout his education, AJ maintained a disciplined approach, treating law school like a full-time job with dedicated 8-hour study days. The challenging nature of legal education—with single exams determining entire course grades—and the infamous bar exam (a two-day ordeal) tested his resolve, but his methodical preparation paid off.
Building a Legal Career
AJ’s career path demonstrates the power of community connections. Before even starting law school, a chance meeting between his mother and Rick Boston (his current partner) at a grocery store led to early conversations about joining their firm. This relationship provided him with valuable clerkship opportunities during his summers in law school and eventually a position after graduation.
After starting as an associate, AJ worked his way up to partner within four to five years. He describes the transition from employee to owner as fulfilling his goal of “working for himself” while providing value to clients and the community.
Balancing Multiple Roles
One of the most impressive aspects of AJ’s career is how he manages multiple significant responsibilities:
- Law Partner: Running a thriving practice with a growing client base
- City Attorney: Appointed in 2017, providing legal counsel to Richmond’s government
- Business Owner: Managing the Abstracts of Richmond Title Company
When asked about his typical day, AJ laughed about having a plan each morning that rarely survives contact with reality. “You probably heard Mike Tyson say before, everybody has a plan till they get punched in the mouth,” he explained. “Every morning kind of feels like I get punched in the middle and I’ve got to figure out how I’m going to be flexible.”
Community Vision and Development
AJ’s passion for Richmond shines throughout the interview. He describes himself as a community advocate who tries to “instill positivity in every capacity.” When asked about exciting developments in Richmond, he highlighted:
- Recent influx of financial support through grants
- Focus on quality of place initiatives
- Efforts to attract and retain young talent
- The critical need for new housing development
On this last point, AJ was particularly emphatic. He sees housing as a crucial link in Richmond’s growth strategy, noting that local employers struggle to recruit professionals partly due to limited housing options. “If we connect those dots I was talking about earlier and we start bringing people back, they have to have somewhere to live,” he explained.
Legal Insights for Property Owners
The conversation also touched on practical legal advice for property owners. AJ explained the importance of having a will and discussed options like transfer-on-death deeds that can help families avoid probate complications. Without proper planning, property transfers after death can become lengthy and complicated, sometimes resulting in abandoned properties or tax sales.
Looking Forward
What’s clear from this conversation is AJ’s three-pronged vision for Richmond’s future: continuing to attract major industry, enhancing quality of place, and retaining young talent. As he puts it, “If we can connect those three dots, we’re exactly where I want to be in three or five years.”
When asked who deserves credit for his success, AJ first acknowledged his wife Lindsay’s support through law school. He also expressed gratitude to the senior partners who mentored him, saying, “I stand on the shoulders of the gentlemen that came before me.” Now, he hopes to pay that forward by mentoring the next generation of legal professionals.
For a community like Richmond, having dedicated professionals like AJ Sickman—who combine expertise with genuine community commitment—provides invaluable leadership as the city navigates its future development and growth.