I am a Partner at Van Valer Law Firm, LLP with a primary focus in the following areas of law:

  • Estate Planning (Wills, Trusts, Living Wills, Health Care Representative Appointments, Powers of Attorney, and Funeral Planning Declarations);
  • Probate and Trust Administration, as well as Non-Probate Estate Administration;
  • Real Estate (Development, Purchase, Sale, Borrowing, Lending and Construction);
  • Zoning (Variances and Special Exceptions);
  • Commercial and Residential Leasing for Landlords & Tenants;
  • Litigation; and
  • Business.

I have a license to practice law in the State of Indiana as well as the USA Northern and Southern District Courts, the USA Tax Court and the USA 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.

I am a member of the American Bar Association, Indiana Bar Association, Indianapolis Bar Association, and Johnson County Bar Association.

I actively participate in the Rotary Club of Greenwood, where I served on the Board of Directors from 2010 to 2015, and as President from 2013 to 2014.  I received the Rotary Club of Greenwood’s Distinguished Service Award in 2017.

I am an active member of the Aspire Economic Development and Chamber Alliance, where I served on the Board of Directors as President, Assistant Board President, Secretary, and Treasurer between 2011 and 2018.

I am also an active participant in the Builder’s Association of Greater Indianapolis, where I served on the Membership Committee and the Committee that created the Quality Assurance Builder Standards. I further served on the Remodeler’s Council from 2010 to 2014, and served as President of the Council from 2012-2013.

I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Indiana University in 1992. I played baseball at Indiana University Bloomington in 1987 and 1988. I received my Doctor of Jurisprudence from Indiana University School of Law in 1997. During law school, I worked as a Law Clerk at an Indianapolis firm from 1994-1997, while also working in the Human Resources department at United Parcel Service from 1994-1996.

My wife, Jan, and I attend Saints Francis and Clare Roman Catholic Church, where I participated in Christ Renews His Parish from 2009 to 2012. My wife and I are blessed with four children. I am an avid volunteer of various youth wrestling and baseball programs in the area.

Representative Cases:

Grimme v Scott – Judgment in favor of client against contractor for defective workmanship

Watkin v Carpenter Realtors – Judgment in favor of client against realtor for malpractice

JD Pugh Cabinet Co. v. Hunt – Judgment in favor of client dismissing contractor’s defective mechanic’s lien

McNulty v. Greystone Development Corp. – Judgment in favor of client against home owner on client’s valid mechanic’s lien

Westfield Ins Co v Kuhns – insurance coverage case resolved in favor of client

Fulp v Gilliland – Trust administration case argued in Indiana Supreme Court

Fulp v Gilliland (Transfer Granted) – Trust administration case argued in Indiana Court of Appeals

Bosley v Niktob LLC – Appeals Court reversed trial court’s erroneous decision against client on a commercial lease eviction

Stevens v McDonald – Appeals Court affirmed trial court’s decision in favor of client on a Restrictive Covenants Case

Dinsmore v Fleetwood Homes of Tennessee Inc – Appeals Court reversed trial court’s erroneous decision against client in a construction defects case

Wachstetter v County Properties LLC – Mechanic’s lien foreclosure case Argued in Court of Appeals

Clark v Crowe – Appeals Court reversed trial court’s erroneous decision against client in a property line case

National Oil And Gas Inc v Gingrich – Appeals Court reversed trial court’s erroneous decision against client in a commercial foreclosure case

Piles v Gosman – Property line case argued in Court of Appeals

Hughes v ICC Floors – Partial Summary Judgment in favor of client in a case involving alleged violations of Deceptive Consumer Sales Act and Home Improvement Contract Act.

MSM Real Estate Holdings v Easy Street Condominiums – Judgment in favor of client in a case involving a Commercial Real Estate Purchase Agreement