Lawyer Overview

Jeff uses his background in the law, his Master's degree in urban planning, and his practical experience as a former city planner to assist clients through the real estate development process.  From assisting individuals, families and businesses on single-issue variances to large scale rezonings, tax abatements, plats or approvals, Jeff can provide advice and representation through all phases of the development process, from acquisition to permits.

Jeff also counsels and represents real estate investors and developers in the areas of landlord tenant law, purchase & acquisition, construction law, mechanic's liens, title insurance claims, evictions & collections, land contracts, property taxes and tax sales, leases & lease options, defense of code enforcement actions, easements & encumbrances, mortgage financing and foreclosure and all other areas of real estate law.

A growing area of Jeff's practice is representation of Homeowner's Associations and their managers.  Jeff regularly advises HOA Boards and Managers on declaration and covenant enforcement, corporate formalities, collection of assessments, litigation defense and declaration revisions and amendments. 

With a background in small business which includes his family's farm and machine shop, Jeff is especially sensitive to the needs of small business owners.  Jeff works to create a general counseling relationship with regular availability to small business owners and managers.  Jeff regularly assists small business clients in the areas of risk and liability avoidance, corporations and corporate formality, employment issues, contract review and negotiation, collections, bankruptcy rights, covenants not to compete and general litigation.  Jeff has particular interest in assisting family owned businesses on wealth and business succession planning.

Jeff regularly counsels clients and represents them as litigants in Courts throughout Indiana , from Small Claims matters to Federal District Court .  He also has experience working with the Indiana Court of Appeals and Indiana Tax Court. 

Areas of Practice

• Litigation
• Real Estate
• Land Use, Zoning and Development
• Creditors' Rights and Collections
• Small Business General Counsel
• Construction

West Practice Categories

Administrative Law, Licensing, Agriculture Law, Agribusiness, Farms & Ranches, Mediation, Creditors' Rights, Foreclosures, Garnishment, Business & Commercial Law, Collections & Repossessions, Commercial Leasing, Consumer Protection, Contracts, Debtor/Creditor, Secured Transactions, Transactions, Business Organizations, Business Successions, Limited Liability Companies, Partnerships, Collections, Eminent Domain, Construction Law, Construction Contracts, Construction Liens, Housing & Construction Defects, Employment Law -- Employer, Litigation & Appeals, Bankruptcy Litigation, State Appellate Practice, State Trial Practice, Natural Resources Law, Real Estate Law, Commercial Real Estate, Condemnation, Condominiums & Cooperatives, Conveyancing, Land Use & Zoning, Landlord/Tenant, Mortgages & Foreclosures, Residential Real Estate, Title Insurance, State, Local & Municipal Law

Bar Admissions

• Indiana, 2003
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana, 2003
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, 2003

Certification/Specialties

• Certified Civil Mediator, Indiana Supreme Court

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Indianapolis Bar Association: Land use Law Section Executive Committee, 2006 - Present (Chairperson)
• Indianapolis Bar Association: Land use Law Section Executive Committee, 2005 (Secretary)
• BAGI - The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis, 2005 - Present (Government Affairs Committee)

Honors and Awards

• Francis J. Feeney Tax Award, 2003

Pro Bono Activities

• Ask-A-Lawyer: Indianapolis Bar Association

Past Employment Positions

• Indiana Tax Court, Law Clerk, 2003
• City of Indianapolis, Department of Metropolitan Development, Senior Planner, 1998 - 2000

Education

• Indiana University School of Law, Indianapolis, Indiana, 2003
  J.D.
  Honors: Order of Barristers
  Honors: Phillip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition - Champion
  Honors: Moot Court Society, Executive Committee
  
  Law Review: Indiana International & Comparative Law Review, 2002 - 2003
• Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1998
  M.A.
  Major: Urban Planning
• Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Bloomington, Indiana, 1996
  B.S.
  Honors: Dean's List
  Honors: Honor's Division
  Honors: Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society

Published Works

• Putting the Boss Behind Bars: Using Criminal Sanctions Against Executives Who Pollute, 13 Ind. Int'l & Comp. L. Rev, 579, 2003
• MUCH ADO ABOUT KELO: As The General Assembly Considers Changes to the State's Eminent Domain Law, Incremental Change Makes More Sense Than a Massive Overhaul, Res Gestae, January / February, 2006
• Building Permit and Zoning Petition Fees in Marion County to Increase in 2006, SITES: The Official Publication of the Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis, January, 2006
• Real Estate Investing & The Law: Common Zoning and Code Enforcement Mistakes Made By Real Estate Investors and How to Avoid Them - Parts I & II, Central Indiana Real Estate Investor's Newsletter, December - January, 2006
• Beyond Mechanic's Liens: Collection Strategies to Consider When Mechanic's Liens Won't Work, The Builder's Journal, March, 2007

Address

151 North Delaware Street
Suite 1900
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Phones

(317) 686-4773

Faxes

(317) 686-4777

Emails

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