Straughn Lawyers

I'm a native Hoosier dedicated to helping others solve their legal problems and achieve their goals through smart, effective legal representation and personal, trusted counsel. The work of my law firm Helms Legal, L.L.C., centers on protecting clients' rights and ensuring that they receive quality legal services. From a simple small claims matter to complex civil rights litigation, I want to deliver direct, customized representation that sets each client up for success.

Doug Garner graduated from the University of Cincinnati Law School in 1991 and spent three years as a contract Public Defender in Hamilton County, Ohio. In 1994, he established a private practice in Dearborn County, Indiana and was a Public Defender in the Dearborn County Superior Court from 1994 through 2001.

Since 2001, Doug has continued his private practice focusing on Social Security and criminal defense. He also represents several non-profit organizations, small businesses, and the Dearborn County Solid Waste Management District. Doug was on the Indiana Public Defender Council Board of Directors from 1996 to 2008 and Chairman from 2006...

Matt Boulton’s original plan was to use his law degree in the corporate world. During law school, however, he discovered the joy of representing clients in the courtroom. Assisting individuals and families through some of the most difficult and important issues of their lives is his primary focus. Matt Boulton started his career by gaining experience working in a large plaintiff’s personal injury firm, but his passion for helping others eventually led him to open Boulton Law Group to be able to offer each of his clients the personal attention their case deserves. Matt has been representing injured people...

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.

Commencing March 31, 2025, Stephen will serve as a Staff Attorney with the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS). His office is in LaGrange, Indiana. 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...

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.

What is the most important attribute in a Criminal Defense Attorney? Aggressive Advocacy. An attorney who isn’t afraid to stand up for you and your rights, no matter how long it takes! Attorney Bauer is your Aggressive Advocate. Joe started his career in the prosecutor’s office and participated in four jury trials and countless bench trials in the counties of Porter, Tippecanoe, and Berrien, MI, securing convictions on misdemeanors and low-level felonies. Understanding the prosecutorial process only broadens Attorney Bauers’ knowledge of the Due Process and helps him in negotiating your case for the best possible route. After gaining experience from...

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...

Cedric D’Hue has been a registered patent attorney with the United States Patent and Trademark Office since 2005. He has drafted, filed and prosecuted patent, trademark and copyright applications to issuance. He has drafted patentability opinions, invalidity and obviousness opinions and freedom to operate opinions. Cedric received his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Tufts University (1999). Cedric received his master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry from Purdue University (2002) and his Juris Doctorate from Indiana University School of Law—Indianapolis (2005). Cedric is currently a PhD Candidate at Purdue University Department of Chemistry (R. Graham Cooks, advisor) focused on cancer diagnosis...

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.

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.

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...

KENT FRANDSEN has practiced with the firm since 1977, concentrating in civil litigation, electric utility, zoning and land use, and education law. Following graduation from law school in 1975, Mr. Frandsen served as a law clerk to The Honorable James E. Noland, Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.

Mr. Frandsen has tried nearly 100 civil jury trials in state and federal courts, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. He has represented parties on appeal in over fifty cases in state and federal appellate courts. In three cases he has persuaded the Indiana Supreme Court...

Del Weldon is a Partner at the firm and focuses his practice on Criminal Defense with an emphasis on OWI/DUI Defense, Personal Injury litigation and CHINS Defense. He is an experienced trial attorney, winning verdicts at jury trials and bench trials. He is also a skilled negotiator, securing plea agreements and forcing dismissals in criminal matters, and obtaining settlements in civil matters.

As a Criminal Defense attorney, his experience at the Prosecutor's Office, including trial work and a murder case, is a major strength and provides great value to his clients. With hundreds of cases completed, he is...

Mr. Mann has been selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers SuperLawyers Edition for 2009 through and including 2023. Mr. Mann is a Certified Family Law Specialist by the Family Law Certification Board. Many think this certification applies only to divorce, it also applies to custody, support, orders of protection (commonly called protective orders or peace bonds), visitation matters, adoptions, guardianships, juvenile matters such as paternity, criminal and Children in need of services. Mr. Mann and his firm are proud to have been one of the firms who represented Same-Sex couples who were successful in overturning Indiana's ban on Same-Sex marriage....

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...

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.

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.

Sarah Schreiber represents clients in the area of labor and employment. She defends 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), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Indiana Wage Payment Statute, the Indiana Wage Claims Statute, the Indiana Workers’ Compensation Act and other federal, state and local laws. In addition, Sarah represents companies before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), and state and federal courts. On a daily basis, Sarah works with companies of all sizes and...

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).

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

Bob Stommel has been providing cost-effective representation to a broad range of Indiana and out-of-state clients, from individuals to large corporations, in the areas of business law, employment law, and general litigation for over 30 years.

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...

Kara Reagan has been a partner at Schulz Reagan, LLC, where she focuses exclusively on family law matters, since 2018. Prior to that, she was with Stafford Law Office, LLC for over twelve years, practicing primarily family law. In addition to advocating for clients in traditional family law cases, Kara serves as a Guardian ad Litem, Domestic Relations Mediator, and she offers Collaborative law services.

Kara lives in Bloomington with her husband and their two children. She enjoys quilting, camping and hiking, volunteering at her daughters' schools, and leading a multi-age Girl Scout troop.

I am an experienced, compassionate advocate for my clients, focused on providing personalized, affordable bankruptcy solutions that help people achieve a fresh start. I have practiced bankruptcy law for 20 years, and I will provide you with the answers you need and explain the options available to you - including avoiding bankruptcy altogether. Contact me today for a free initial consultation. Flexible scheduling is available, including weekend and evening appointments.

When a divorce or family law matter arises in your life, it is common to feel overwhelmed by the situation. This is likely one of the more challenging times in your life, and having a compassionate lawyer in your corner can provide some peace of mind and reassurance throughout the process of your case. Ranger Davis is a caring Associate Attorney with Stange Law Firm. He can help individuals throughout Marion County, Indiana, and nearby, from the firm’s Indianapolis, Indiana family law office. Ranger attended the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctorate. He...

I pride myself on being responsive to my client's needs. My clients reach out to me for help with their businesses, development projects and personal needs. When they do, they are reaching out because something has come up that is beyond what they are comfortable handling alone. By responding quickly, I can help my clients avoid making difficult decisions without good advice. I enjoy working with my clients to handle help them grow and protect their businesses for today and for tomorrow. I particularly enjoy real estate development, having grown up in a family that developed residential subdivisions and built...

Rex devotes much of his time and attention to the legal profession. He was an adjunct associate professor at Indiana University-Purdue University, where he taught evidence and other courses. He’s been an arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau, served on the Indianapolis Bar Association litigation section’s executive committee, and has been president of the local chapter of the Christian Legal Society for years. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and a charter member of the local chapter of the American Inns of Court.

Graham has a multi-dimensional practice. In the governmental-services area, he assists government units with a wide range of issues—from competitive bidding and open-door-law compliance to land use issues and eminent domain proceedings. He has advised government clients at the state, county, and town levels.

In terms of litigation, Graham’s practice includes complex civil trial and appellate work in both state and federal courts. From plaintiff’s personal injury matters, and insurance coverage disputes, to breach-of-contract and real property issues, Graham has broad base of litigation experience. He has briefed cases in state trial courts, federal district court, Indiana Court of Appeals,...