Fees

We believe it is best for our client to be upfront about attorney's fees. Our firm handles fees in a variety of ways. If your case is one that we could take on a contingency basis (such as a personal injury claim), you should not expect to pay any fees for the initial consultation. On the other hand, on all other matters (family law, real estate, etc.) we normally charge a fee for the initial consultation and then work out a fee arrangement afterwards. There are a number of lawyers who do not charge consultation fees in the hopes of "getting you in the door," but we believe that the advice and information we provide during the consultation have value. In addition, we do not feel the need to "get you in the door" and hope that you hire us.

With respect to the ongoing work, contingent fee cases are paid when the case settles or funds are otherwise obtained for the client. In other types of cases, you will be expected to pay the fees as they come due. Our normal practice is to require an advance fee deposit and have it replenished as the matter progresses.

Personal Injury

Our firm is best known for its aggressive yet fair prosecution of personal injury and wrongful death cases. We also represent clients in nursing home negligence cases.

With so many law firms and attorneys advertising and claiming to handle personal injury cases, our firm stands apart from others in two respects. First, we do not believe in saturating the community with advertisements. We believe that the satisfaction of our clients is the best advertising we can ask for. Second, many law firms work only to resolve the claims of their client against the person at fault for the injuries, leaving medical liens unpaid or not addressed at all. We make every effort to make sure every medical bill is paid out of any settlement or judgment, which means that our clients do not have to worry about the pile of unpaid bills after their case is finished.

We’re proud of the fact that many of our clients are friends and family members of other attorneys in our area.

Attorneys Practicing in this Area: Michael J. Anderson, Peter J. Agostino, Julianne R. Parish, Loris P. Zappia, Mark F. James, Bradley P. Colborn, Michael P. Misch, Tracey S. Schafer

Business Law

Our firm represents businesses of all sizes in various aspects to their formation, sale, acquisition, contract negotiations, contract disputes, financing, and other matters.

Attorneys Practicing in this Area: Edward W. Hardig, Scott M. Keller, Peter J. Agostino, William L. Wilson

Commercial Law and Collections

Our firm represents businesses and individuals in commercial transactions, disputes and in collection of funds owed to them by other persons.

Attorneys Practicing in this Area: Scott M. Keller, William L. Wilson, Michael P. Misch

Construction Law

Our firm represents commercial and residential construction companies, project owners, architects and other professionals in a wide range of matters, from prosecuting and defending breach of contract claims, bond and warranty claims to enforcing liens to secure payment for materials or services provided to owners of buildings or homes.

Attorneys Practicing in this Area: Scott M. Keller, Peter J. Agostino, Edward W. Hardig

Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law

Our firm represents individuals and businesses in the registration and enforcement of intellectual property rights regarding creative works such as music, writings, architectural designs, and other works. We also represent creative artists involved in the entertainment industry, as well as litigate copyright, unfair competition and trade secrets cases.

Attorneys Practicing in this Area: William L. Wilson

Domestic Relations and Adoptions

Our firm represents individuals through the difficult process of dissolving a marriage, helping clients reach agreements on child custody and support issues, and more. Our firm also assists individuals in adopting children.

In addition, our firm assists individuals involved in non-marital relationships in protecting the interests of each other with respect to issues such as property ownership, medical powers of attorney, and domestic partnership agreements.

Where children are involved, our firm strongly recommends that parents take advantage of free web sites designed to help parents resolve conflicts and protect their children. In fact, the St. Joseph County Courts now require parents to utilize these web sites:

* UpToParents.org, for divorcing parents.

* ProudToParent.org for parents who have never been married.

* WhileWeHeal.org for parents who are attempting to reconcile.

Attorneys Practicing in this Area: Bernard E. Edwards, Jr., 
William L. Wilson, Mark F. James, Julianne R. Parish

Employment Law

Our firm represents employers in defending employment discrimination cases, reviewing and drafting employee handbooks, and assists employers with other issues such as non-competition agreements and other contract matters.

Attorneys Practicing in this Area: Peter J. Agostino, Michael P. Misch

Estate Planning and Probate Administration

Our firm assists individuals in planning for their future needs in their personal affairs, such as living wills and powers of attorney, as well as their financial affairs, such as planning for the tax-effective disposition of property.

Attorneys Practicing in this Area: Edward W. Hardig, 
Bernard E. Edwards, Jr., William L. Wilson

Mediation and Arbitration

One of several forms of alternative dispute resolution, mediation is a process in which our firm assists parties to lawsuits in reaching settlements. Arbitration is a process where parties submit their evidence and arguments to a private party, who issues a binding decision.

Attorneys Practicing in this Area: Peter J. Agostino, 
William L. Wilson, Mark F. James

Municipal Law

Our firm represents St. Joseph County, Indiana, with respect to employment matters and the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office in asset forfeiture cases.

Attorneys Practicing in this Area: Peter J. Agostino, Bradley P. Colborn

Real Estate

Our firm represents businesses and individuals in a wide range of real estate matters, including sale and purchase contracts, mortgage foreclosure actions, eminent domain cases, and zoning matters.

Attorneys Practicing in this Area: Edward W. Hardig, Peter J. Agostino, Scott M. Keller, William L. Wilson

Local Counsel

Our firm also assists attorneys from elsewhere in and outside Indiana, appearing with them as co-counsel in cases filed in state and federal courts.

Attorneys Practicing in this Area: Peter J. Agostino, William L. Wilson, Scott M. Keller, Edward W. Hardig