La Porte Arbitration & Mediation Lawyers

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...

Betsy taught Business Law, Employment Law, Human Resources, Hospitality and related courses for 6 years at Purdue. Formerly, she was a tenured faculty member at Niagara University, in Niagara Falls NY, and received her Law Degree at SUNY Buffalo while teaching there. Betsy has been an Indiana Attorney since 2006, and is the former Executive Director of the Lake County Bar Association, and among other things was in charge of their referral network. Betsy has conducted academic research and has been a featured speaker all across North America speaking on legal and nonlegal subjects.

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...

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...

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.

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.

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...

Education:
Harvard College, AB
Vanderbilt University Law School, JD
Cambridge University, LLM in International Law and Diploma in International Law

Other biographical information, please review website at:
www.stephenbcohenlaw.com

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,...

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jennifer has a diverse practice ranging from high conflict custody matters and complex divorce actions to collections. She regularly represents clients in Child of Need of Services actions, both as private counsel and Guardian Ad Litem. Jennifer is a registered domestic relations mediator. She is tough but fair, and strives to be at least one step ahead of the other side.