In addition to his work in the private sector, Tinder served as a public defender from 1977 to 1978 for the Marion County Criminal Court.

From 1979-82, Tinder was chief trial deputy for the Marion County Prosecutor's Office.

[5] In March 2014, Tinder announced his retirement plans for February 2015, when he would turn 65 years old.

[11] Tinder previewed his post-retirement career plans in an interview with The Indiana Lawyer.

[5] In July 2016, the Indiana Law Review published articles in tribute to Tinder's service by United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit Judge Diane Wood, United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana Judge Richard L. Young, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Chancellor Emeritus Gerald Bepko, and former clerk Daniel Pulliam.