Thayer Arbitration & Mediation Lawyers

Mr. Vinovich has been practicing law for over 30 years. He concentrates his practice primarily in medical malpractice, wrongful death and personal injury. He handles cases throughout the state of Indiana. He is inducted as a Fellow into the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers which is reserved for only 1% of lawyers who exhibit exceptional trial skills and advocacy for their clients. Mr. Vinovich has extensive experience in jury trials and mediations, having resolved thousands of cases for his clients. Mr. Vinovich has been very active in legal organizations, having served as President for Indiana State Bar Association and Lake...

I am a Registered Civil Mediator and civil litigation trial attorney licensed in Illinois and Indiana with first chair jury trial experience as in-house counsel to three major insurance carriers. For over 29 years, I have served as the attorney or managing attorney for hundreds of insurance defense cases, which often involve personal injury, auto/trucking accidents, premises liability (dog bites, slips & falls, etc.),and construction. I am known for ethically and aggressively representing clients, as well as a proven and excellent communicator highly skilled in negotiating, conflict resolution, and client relationship development. You will find I am able to...

Lea P. Shelemey is a solo practitioner in Valparaiso, Indiana. She was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She received her Juris Doctor from Valparaiso Indiana School of Law in 2001, with a concentration in Alternate Dispute Resolution. She received her undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Science) from Valparaiso University, magna cum laude, in 1998 with majors in both philosophy and psychology. Attorney Shelemey is a registered Mediator, a Collaborative Law Attorney, and a Guardian ad litem. Her subsequent training and education included mediation training for domestic relations cases in 2002 and civil cases in 2004. Additionally she received guardian...

Attorney Robert J. Pavich received his Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude in 1969 from Harvard College. In 1975, he received his Juris Doctorate degree magna cum laude from the DePaul University College of Law. Attorney Pavich worked as the lead trial counsel at the Hague War Crimes Tribunal from 2001 to 2005. From 2007 to 2010, Mr. Pavich was the lead defense counsel in five federal deportation prosecutions in Florida and Illinois—all which resulted in acquittals. Attorney Pavich is a member of numerous bar associations including: the Illinois State Bar, the American Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association,...

Cassandra graduated from Valparaiso University School of Law, with honors, in 2003. Cassandra understands the needs of working families, as she attended Purdue North Central and Valpo Law School full time while also working her part-time job in a hospital laboratory and raising two young children with her husband, Ken. She began her legal career in her late 30's, so that she brings life experience as well as her legal knowledge to the table when helping her clients. Cassandra has worked primarily out of her Knox, IN, office since 2003, although she regularly travels to courts in counties...

Born and raised in Mishawaka, Spence joined the firm in 1979. He counsels clients in the areas of domestic and family law, commercial litigation, mediation and personal injury and wrongful death cases. During his career, he’s served as President of the St. Joseph County and Indiana State Bar Associations. He sits on the Mishawaka Education Foundation, and received the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash Award from Governor O’Bannon in 2002.

From guiding you through issues concerning the impact on your children, division of assets and debt responsibilities of each party, legal requirements and rights, martial contracts, retirement account division, valuation of business interest and farm, commercial and residential real estate. I offer legal counsel in such domestic law matters as: Divorce Adoption Paternity Marriage Custody and Parenting Time Mediation Services Prenuptial Agreements

Nathan joined May Oberfell Lorber in 2019 transitioning from his solo practice located in South Bend. His practice remains focused on Estate Planning, Estate Administration, Elder Law, and Mediation. His interpersonal skills permeate his practice so that each client is treated with respect and each matter is handled in a professional manner.

Tony Patterson has extensive experience representing personal injury victims and wrongful death survivors throughout Indiana and the Midwest. He has worked hard for victims with serious injuries, including brain injury and spinal cord damage. Mr. Patterson’s personal injury practice includes diverse concentrations in areas such as automobile and trucking accidents, medical malpractice mass torts and all other areas of the firm’s injury practice. Mr. Patterson has obtained numerous million dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients, including working to obtain compensation on behalf of the victims of the Indiana State Fair Sugarland Stage Collapse, litigation in which he...

As an attorney, I provide legal counsel that prevents litigation and take steps to minimize the costs of legal action once litigation has begun. I have litigated many cases over the course of my career and while aggressive litigation is often necessary, other methods like mediation, arbitration or negotiation may sometimes be more appropriate. I believe in taking a practical approach to litigation. Our firm combines our extensive legal experience with our real-world knowledge to explore a practical approach to handling our clients' cases. I understand that there are often steps that can be taken "up front" to save our...

Greggory W. Hockemeyer obtained his bachelor’s degree with honors at Wabash College (Crawfordsville, IN) in 1985. Hockemeyer attended IU School of Law at Indianapolis following college. While attending law school, he worked for Indiana Attorney General Lin Pearson. Upon completing law school in 1989, Hockemeyer took a position with the City of Indianapolis as an attorney with its Department of Metropolitan Development. In 1992, Hockemeyer moved back to Whitley County to enter private practice. In 1995, he joined Attorney Jon Myers to found the law partnership which later became Myers Hockemeyer & McNagny, LLP, where he...

James O’Connor has represented businesses, insurers, and individuals in a variety of matters ranging from discrimination claims, and contractors or employment disputes, to cyber security and data breach response, and Name, Image and Likeness consultations. He is a registered civil mediator with extensive experience.

Ryan P. Dillon is a lifelong Hoosier and a resident of Johnson County since 2006. He grew up in rural Shelby County, where his family is actively involved in the agricultural community. He and his family currently reside in northern Johnson County. From an early age, Ryan has been involved with the Boy Scouts of America, earning the Eagle Scout Award in 2001. Ryan recently was recognized for twenty years of tenure in the organization, and currently serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster, a council volunteer, and the Vice President of the Firecrafter Alumni Association. Prior to attending law...

Clarissa Finnell is an attorney with Schultz & Pogue. Ms. Finnell practices exclusively in the area of family law, representing clients with cases including legal separation, divorce, child support, child custody, paternity, parenting time, modification and contempt issues. She also represents clients in stepparent adoption and guardianship matters. She has been practicing for twenty- four(24) years and has extensive litigation experience managing heavy volume caseloads in complex, contested family law matters. In addition to her work as a divorce and custody litigator, Ms. Finnell is a trained collaborative attorney and can assist clients who are seeking to resolve their family...

An experienced litigator, Kevin Fitzharris focuses his practice in the area of alternative dispute resolution. As a registered mediator he assists individuals and businesses to resolve disputes. He is a member of The National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN) and the Defense Research Institute. Over his thirty year career, Kevin has represented major litigants in mediation, arbitrations, jury trials and bench trials.

Attorney Anthony Stites works with businesses of all sizes to help prevent or solve program in the employment arena. He defends in-house counsel and human resource professionals against discrimination claims, wrongful termination claims and wage and hour issues. Tony also serves as a mediator handling complex cases. With thirty years of experience in the labor and employment area, he handles all facets of employment law mediations. He has also been a mediator for estate and trust issues and family law issues.

Litigator, Trial Attorney and Partner with LEE, COSSELL & FEAGLEY, LLP. Maintains an active file load focused on Plaintiffs personal injury claims including serious personal injuries and wrongful death claims. Attorney Feagley is also a Court approved Civil Mediator for the State of Indiana.

Megan Wells is a 1999 graduate of Indiana University—Bloomington and a 2004 graduate of Indiana University School of Law –Indianapolis. Ms. Wells focuses her practice on family law in all of its capacities, including dissolution of marriage, paternity, establishing and modifying child custody, establishing and modifying child support, establishing and modifying parenting time, adoption and guardianship. In her practice, Megan thoroughly understands that she represents individuals and families in transitional phases in their lives. She understands that family law issues are often sensitive ones, and has the compassion, experience, and legal knowledge to provide representation to individuals at what...

Ronald J. Waicukauski focuses on plaintiffs’ complex litigation including matters involving business disputes, property rights, professional malpractice, and class actions. He is a principal member and an active trial lawyer at Price Waicukauski Joven & Catlin, LLC. He has tried more than 70 jury cases to verdict as lead counsel in both state and federal courts. He has also argued numerous appellate cases in the Indiana Court of Appeals, the Indiana Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Ron formerly served as a JAG and Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and as the elected...

Michele L. Jackson is a founder of HARDEN JACKSON, LLC where she serves as Chair of the Adoption & Reproductive Law Practice Group and concentrates her law practice in adoption, surrogacy, and international family law. Her practice includes representation for expectant (birth) or adoptive parents, as well as step-parent and second parent adoptions. Additionally, Ms. Jackson represents intended parents or surrogates in gestational surrogacy arrangements. She is routinely sought for her knowledge and experience regarding issues in international adoptions and international family law and has extensive experience with children in the United States and orphans worldwide. Ms. Jackson has dedicated...

Lanae Harden is a founding member of HARDEN JACKSON, LLC where she practices family law litigation with more than 14 years of experience. She chairs the firm's Family Law Practice Group. Ms. Harden received her Juris Doctor magna cum laude from Indiana University School of Law, finishing in the top 5% of her class. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Texas at Austin, where she graduated magna cum laude and was a member of the university's tennis team. Ms. Harden is also a four-time Indiana State Tennis Champion. Ms. Harden is a skilled litigator and extremely adept at managing...

Theresa is an architect and attorney. Theresa has twenty years of combined experience in the design and construction law industries. As an attorney, Theresa advises those who develop, design or construct. Theresa is also listed on the roster of construction law arbitrators for the American Arbitration Association. Prior to her legal career, Theresa obtained her architectural license in the State of Indiana. With the purpose of serving the legal needs of the construction community, Theresa attended law school in the evening while working full-time as an architect. Theresa is well versed in contract drafting and negotiations for contractors, designers, private owners...

With with over 30 years of public and private sector Human Resources, Collective Bargaining and Employment law experience, John has been involved in more labor and employment law issues that many attorneys would get to experience in two careers. He was worked with individuals, companies and labor organizations from almost every conceivable field including: healthcare, manufacturing, mining, transportation, higher education, construction, utilities and food services -- and the issues that confront them. His alternative dispute resolution experience is equally distinguished, and includes training in the field of arbitration, mediation, labor and industrial relations and law. John is an Indiana...

Christopher L. LaPan practices exclusively as a family lawyer, civil litigator, and mediator. He received his Juris Doctorate from Michigan State University in 2009, and is admitted to practice law in the Indiana Supreme Court and the United States District Courts, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana. He also holds a Masters Degree from Purdue University. Chris is formally trained in collaborative lawyering, and is a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. His ability to successfully navigate even the most contentious and complicated divorces to creatively advocate for his clients inspires a fluid transition from being together...

Matt Chapel is a Trial Lawyer based out of Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is a National Institute for Trial Advocacy Master Advocate and studied under Gerry Spence. Practicing criminal defense in Fort Wayne, Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio, Matt brings 23 years of experience to every case. Matt is a former U.S. Marine. Why is this significant? Because Matt brings his fighting spirit to every case - including yours.

Attorney Michael C. “Mick” Peek is licensed to practice in Indiana and Florida with offices in Indianapolis, Indiana and St. Petersburg, Florida. He specializes in handling personal injury cases as well as wills, estates, estate planning and trusts. Additionally, he handles all other matters encompassing real estate and real estate development and zoning. He helps clients with business sales and acquisitions, and contract matters.

Kinas Law Office LLC and Mary Kinas provide timely service to employees and victims of work-related harassment and discrimination based on over 11 years of experience owning my own firm. Examples of recent matters handled: * review of employment contracts and severance agreements, with answers usually in 48 hours; * mediation of a pregnancy discrimination action with an award to my client; * unemployment compensation appeal hearing with a finding for my client; * race discrimination settlement involving dismissal from job in union shop Any contact with the law firm will be personally handled exclusively by Ms. Kinas.

Barrows Legal Group, LLC tailors its services to the client depending on the client's goals, financial concerns, complexity and amount of conflict involved. The goal of Barrows Legal Group, LLC for each client is to end the legal representation with the client in a better position than when we were retained. That goal is achieved through creative thinking, advocacy when called for, and negotiated resolution when possible. Just like every marriage is different, every divorce, paternity matter, or custody dispute is unique. The solutions to the conflict should reflect that each client's needs are also unique.

Patrick K. Brown is an Attorney-Mediator/ Arbitrator in private practice in Zionsville, Indiana. He is a co-founder of The Resolution Center, LLC., a holistic provider of innovative mediation/arbitration services in disputes between parties who will continue in relationship post-dispute resolution. He is a past Chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the Indiana State Bar Association. He is a member of the Indiana ADR Rules Review Task Force. He is a Founding Board Member and Past President of the Indiana Association of Mediators. His practice is focused in the area of divorce and family mediation and he has...

A seasoned employment law and civil litigation attorney in the Indianapolis area, Jason has practiced law since 2003. He has handled multiple federal jury trials in the Northern and Southern District of Indiana Courts and represented clients at the EEOC, MSPB, SEAC and ICRC, as well as Indiana State Courts, local government bodies and boards. He’s a DePauw University graduate, with a degree in Philosophy, who grew up in New Castle, Indiana. A third generation small business owner, he follows in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps. After earning his law degree at Indiana University Maurer School of...