Berne Lawyers

One of the most enjoyable parts of being a lawyer is combining my genuine interest in others with my passion for helping people and fixing situations.

Most people seem to have headaches in a few key areas. That’s why I focus on the fields of family law (divorce, visitation, guardianships, etc.), business law (business formation, law suits, breach of contract, etc.), real estate law and personal injury (car accidents, slip and fall accidents, dog bites, and other acts of negligence).

My Experience
I started my career as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I “paid my dues” in busy courtrooms and...

Brandon is a former Division I student-athlete who played college football at the University of Miami (FL) and Lehigh University. He was a letterman for both programs and was the starting tailback for Lehigh University as a sophomore. Due to athletic injuries, he was unable to finish his collegiate career and completed his undergraduate studies at Indiana University. Brandon graduated from Indiana University with high distinction, earning a 3.7 cumulative GPA, majoring in Sport Marketing and Management. Upon graduation, Brandon wanted to follow in his father, Louis “Buddy” Yosha’s, footsteps and become a trial lawyer. Brandon immediately applied to law school...

Attorney Nathaniel Hubley is actively involved in the Huntington and Fort Wayne communities and has an office in downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana. Attorney Nathaniel Hubley handles personal injury lawsuits, including car accidents and Social Security disability, and workers compensation cases.

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.

Charley, Jr. is a Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and has been practicing law for more than 30 years. His reputation and expertise have helped him recover millions for injury victims. He concentrates exclusively on serious personal injury cases at Vaughan & Vaughan. He also has been listed among The Best Lawyers in America in the field of personal injury litigation. Charley has also been repeatedly named an Indiana Super Lawyer in Indianapolis Monthly by his peers. Charley has won jury verdicts for car and truck accident victims, gas explosions, sexual assault victims,...

Commencing August 5, 2024, Stephen will serve as an Administrative Law Judge (Appeals Referee) for the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD). Stephen is a member of the Indiana State and Allen County Bar Associations, and he is on the Indiana Registry of Domestic Relations Mediators. DISCLAIMER: This web site provides information only and is not to offer legal advice.  Always contact an attorney to obtain advice for a specific matter.  Using or accessing this site or any links to this site does not create an attorney-client relationship between the Griebel Law Office LLC (its attorney(s) or staff) and the...

I am a United States Air Force Veteran serving for ten years with three deployments, including a combat deployment to Iraq. After leaving the military, I attended Indiana University-Purdue University where I earned a Bachelor's Degree in English with a concentration in writing. After college, I attended the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. I was admitted to the Indiana Bar in 2015 and licensed to practice law in Indiana.

Matt is a 1990 graduate of Columbia City High School. He received his Bachelors Degree from Indiana University in 1994 and graduated from the Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis in 1998 where he was a member of the Indiana International & Comparative Law Review. Prior to joining Bloom Gates & Whiteleather, LLP, Matt practiced in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, Indiana as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Matt concentrates his practice in real estate, litigation, corporate law, and represents multiple governmental entities and sewer districts throughout Northeast Indiana. Matt has litigated cases in both federal and state courts in...

Leah graduated Magna Cum Laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Affairs from Indiana University-Bloomington. After graduating from law school, Leah became a member of the Michigan Bar where she clerked for a Judge in the Circuit Court. After returning home to Indiana, she became a member of the Indiana State Bar Association, the Allen County Bar Association where she formerly served as Chair of the Probate, Tax, and Trust Section and the State Bar of Michigan. Leah is on the board of Healthier Moms and Babies and is...

Tracy is a 1994 graduate of the Indiana University School of Law - Bloomington. She also received her undergraduate degree in Business-Marketing from Indiana University - Bloomington. Tracy has been admitted by the Supreme Court of Indiana to the Indiana Bar and to the U.S. Southern District Court. She participates as a member of the Indiana State Bar Association and the Allen County Bar Association. She is a former President of the Fort Wayne Estate Planning Council, Co-Chair of the Probate, Tax and Trust section of the Allen County Bar Association, and Board Member of Early Childhood Alliance. She is...

David Steiner concentrates his practice in the area of environmental law, with an emphasis in environmentally impacted real estate, brownfields development and tax-free exchanges. He also works with business and individuals on business transactions involving formation, acquisition, sales and contracts.

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.

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.

Shawn attended the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan where she earned her Juris Doctorate in 2008. While in law school, she served as a member of the Law Student Division of the American Bar Association, a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Association, and as an Associate Member of the Mock Trial Board. Prior to studying law, Shawn obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Business Communication from Concordia University in Fort Wayne. During her time in undergraduate school, she served as the Campaign President for Toys for Tots. Shawn is licensed and ready to...

Mike O'Hara assists clients in the areas of finance and banking law, creditor's rights, business transaction, corporate law and mergers and acquisitions.

Aubrey Crist joined Beasley & Gilkison, LLP in April 2020. Previously, she worked at litigation firms in Richmond and Greenfield. Aubrey currently focuses her practice on adoptions, personal injury (including motor vehicle accidents, slip and fall, etc.), bankruptcy, family law, estate planning, social security disability, municipal law, and general litigation. Aubrey is originally from Muncie, Indiana, and a 2008 graduate of Muncie Southside High School. Aubrey attended Ball State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. Aubrey then attended the University of Dayton School of Law (“UDSL”) in Dayton, Ohio. During her time in law school,...

I am a consumer bankruptcy attorney who represents clients in filing Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases. I have focused my career in bankruptcy since 2008, and have successfully represented hundreds of individuals in need. Our firm solely represents bankruptcy clients in order to provide the best possible representation. At our firm you will receive professional representation, exceptional client service, and will always have direct access to your attorney. We strive make the process easy, quick and affordable because we understand the bankruptcy process can be overwhelming. We want to provide our clients with the fresh start and stress...

I have been serving the legal needs in Muncie and surrounding areas since 2001. The areas of law in which I practice are estates, estate planning, real estate, business, elder law, guardianships and adoptions. I also serve as a Domestic Relations Mediator and as a Guardian Ad Litem.

Jim Hanson has a diverse background that provides him with context to find solutions to complex challenges. Jim has significant experience with Criminal Law and Family Law as well as both legal and practical experience with Business Law, Real Estate, Probate and General Civil Litigation. Jim served as a Korean linguist with the United States Army. This experience allows Jim to more easily navigate cultural and language barriers when resolving legal issues.

Mark Bains assists clients in a wide array of real estate matters. This includes commercial and residential real estate transactions and land use planning. He also represents clients in real estate litigation matters, including eminent domain actions, disputes on purchase agreements and leases. Another area of concentration for Mark is construction law. He works with residential and commercial contractors in negotiation and drafting of construction contracts, disputes on contracts, defective workmanship claims, collection actions and mechanic's lien foreclosures.

John Barce has over twenty-five years of experience assisting businesses and individuals with their legal needs in the areas of business law, federal and state taxation, charitable planning, estate and business succession planning. He has working alongside businesses to handle their intellectual property needs and biotechnology licensing. John handles mergers and acquisitions for businesses of all sizes by negotiating and structuring the agreements, helping with financing issues and resolving closing and post-closing issues.

Tom Kimbrough assists clients in all facets of labor and employment. He works with employers to defend against claims. He has worked with union and non-union employers, and businesses of all sizes. He also assists in other areas of litigation including insurance defense and business and commercial litigation.

An experience litigator, Pat focuses his practice on business and commercial litigation, and intellectual property litigation. He has handled matters involving trademark and copyright infringement, insurance defense, unfair competition, product liability, non-solicitation agreements, injunctions, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, and bet-the-company litigation. Throughout his career he has been lead counsel on more than 100 jury trials and more than 1,000 arbitrations, mediations, depositions, and hearings.

William Ramsey has extensive experience representing clients on appeals, defending against medical malpractice claims and general liability matters. He also works with businesses on commercial litigation issues, including disputes related to copyright and trademark rights and licensing and compliance matters. He has appeared before the Indiana Court of Appeals, Indiana Tax Court and the Indiana Supreme Court for oral arguments and has jury trial experience.

Focusing in the area of employment law, Carta Robison assists clients with their employment matters including, contracts, claims involving Title VII, Family and Medical Leave Act issue, wage and hour disputes, and claims brought under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Rachel Steinhofer represents clients in the employment arena, defending employers against claims involving Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Indiana Wage Payment Statute, the Indiana Wage Claims Statute, and the Indiana Workers' Compensation Act. In addition, Rachel interacts with administrative agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), on behalf of clients. Rachel also has experience in working with employers to educate them on union avoidance and how to manage unionization efforts. She has assisted with representing businesses during union negotiations and strike activity.

Thomas Niezer focuses his practice on real estate law, land use planning, and real estate finance law, with a dual emphasis in commercial transactions and residential real estate development, sales, and purchases. He also focuses on representing commercial and non-profit development entities on a variety of redevelopment and new development initiatives. With over 30 years of experience, Tom has represented real estate development clients before planning commissions, boards of zoning appeals, local engineering, surveying, traffic, utility, and storm water governmental departments. He has worked with clients in real estate acquisitions, sales, leasing, and construction matters. Tom regularly works with local...

Highly experienced in estate planning, Trisha's practice encompasses wills and trusts, the avoidance or reduction of estate, inheritance, and generation-skipping taxes, various techniques for making gifts to individuals and charities, life insurance, disability, and distributions from retirement accounts. She also consults business owners regarding the choice of entity issues, valuation issues, buy-sell agreements, and business succession issues.

Facing a divorce or family law matter such as a divorce or any matter involving your children is never easy. It is natural to feel like the weight of the world is against you and you may be looking for a way to ease the stress and worry. Working with a compassionate and caring family law attorney can make all of the difference. Kim Kessinger is a dedicated Senior Associate Attorney with Stange Law Firm, PC. She can represent clients throughout Marion County, IN and the surrounding areas from the firm’s Indianapolis, Indiana office. Kim earned her Juris Doctorate from the...

Let's face it. We've been doing this a long time.  And we love what we do. The lawyers of Shaw Law Offices -- the Indiana Slip and Fall Attorneys. See us at "slipandfall.com."  That's right, we own the cause of action in our website.  That's how much we love what we do. Like Muhammad Ali the boxer famously said, "It's Not Bragging if You Can Back it Up." And with age and experience comes a little bit of "know-how."  So, here's 5 things we do to help you in the often-confusing path of a personal injury lawsuit: 1.  We Visit the Site...

A trial lawyer, Robert T. Keen has extensive experience handling cases in state and federal courts across the State of Indiana for insurance companies, businesses and governmental entities. He focuses on commercial litigation, insurance defense, premises liability, products liability and employment litigation. He also has experience defending local governments and police officers against lawsuits. He is a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana, and the Defense Research Institute.

. Bryan Nugen is the founder of Nugen Law, having practiced in the areas of Elder Law and Estate Planning for more than three decades, holding licenses in Indiana, Florida, Ohio and Michigan. His responsibility is first to the clients of Nugen Law, assuring they receive the compassionate, individualized and quality legal representation they deserve, and second to the team at Nugen Law – creating a professional, supportive and positive working environment for his interdisciplinary team. Bryan’s passion for working in the practice areas of estate planning and elder law stem from his nurturing spirit, motivation...

Gregory A. Cranston represents clients (adults and children) who have been charged with a crime or who are under investigation. Greg has represented clients throughout many counties within Indiana in cases involving serious felonies, misdemeanors and driving related matters. He has also represented clients in family law cases, landlord and tenant issues, civil lawsuits, and personal injury.

Cranston Law Can:

Help you understand the charges against you

Learn the potential range of outcomes for people in situations like yours

Provide general expectations for outcomes based on experience

Help navigate you through the system

Mount a strong defense on your behalf

Make sure your rights are protected every...

Marcus A. Heminger concentrates his practice in the areas of corporate and business law and securities law. He has extensive experience in corporate transactions, mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, private and registered public securities offerings, SEC reporting compliance, and NYSE and NASDAQ regulatory compliance. Prior to returning to Fort Wayne and joining Barrett McNagny, Marcus spent more than five years working at one of New York's largest law firms, where he gained valuable experience with the firm's Capital Markets Group. His corporate governance and securities law experience also includes drafting and reviewing SEC disclosure documents, including Annual Reports, Quarterly Reports, Current...

Ben is a litigator with a focus on intense litigation and trial work. He has spent his career advocating for people and businesses involved in lawsuits. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants, although certain client relationships preclude his representation against some professionals. Ben's focus on trial work began when he was a member of the Indiana University intercollegiate trial team for each of his three years of law school. Since then, he has sought out trial-intensive work and has participated in the presentation of over fifteen trials to a jury, with most of those trials involving the defense of doctors and...

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...