Legal assets: large Indiana business-law firms in major Indiana cities.

• Position: LAW

Northwest Indiana

Beckman Kelly & Smith

Hammond--219/933-6200

www.bkslegal.com

Managing Partner: Daniel W. Glavin

Tracing its lineage to the C.B. Tinkham firm in 1898, Beckman Kelly & Smith's clients today range from small, locally owned businesses to Fortune 500 companies with a northwest Indiana presence.

"We pride ourselves on our ability to handle almost any challenge facing a business, from organizing the right business entity to real-estate purchases and leasing and counseling on hiring and termination issues," says Daniel Glavin, managing partner of the seven-attorney firm.

Bose McKinney & Evans

Chesterton--219/983-1552

Crown Point--219/663-2968

See Indianapolis listing.

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Burke Costanza & Cuppy

Merrillville--219/769-1313

Va iparaiso--219/531-0134

www.bcclegal.com

Managing Partner:

Name: George W. Carberry

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Burke Costanza & Cuppy seeks to provide clients with the independent professional judgment, commitment and vision consistent with its leadership position among Northwest Indiana lawyers. Formed in 1988 through the merger of two of Northwest Indiana's oldest and most distinguished law firms, the 20-attorney firm seeks to add value to its clients' businesses in a way that responds promptly to their needs and expectations.

Eichhorn & Eichhorn

Hammond--219/931-0560

Managing Partner:

Name: David Jensen

Eichhorn & Eichhorn maintains offices in Hammond and Indianapolis. The 24-attorney firm has been in existence since 1937 and provides litigation and legal services to a wide array of clients, including utilities, financial services companies, and insurance companies. Eichhorn & Eichhorn prides itself on litigating difficult cases in state and federal courts in Indiana and neighboring states, and provides a multitude of legal services to meet its clients' diverse needs.

Hodges & Davis

Merrillville--219/641-8700

Portage--219/762-9129

www.hodgesdavis.com

Managing Partner:

Name: Gregory Sobkowski

Established in 1906, Hodges gr Davis is a progressive law firm providing a wide range of legal services to the residents of Northwest Indiana. The firm's attorneys work closely with one another; combining their knowledge, skills and experience to provide effective solutions to the legal problems they are called upon to address.

Hoeppner Wagner & Evans

Valparaiso--219/464-4961

Merrillville--219/769-6552

www.hwelaw.com

Managing Partner:

William F. Satterlee III

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Awards say much about this 30-attorney firm. On the client side, Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly readers voted it best corporate law firm for the past six years. In employment, it's been named one of "America's Greatest Places to Work with a Law Degree" and honored by the Indiana State Bar Association and National Association of Women Lawyers for advancing women and minorities.

"We are committed to helping our clients by providing exceptional legal service," managing partner William E Satterlee III says of its varied practice. "Our mainstays are our employment and trial practices, which include mediation and arbitration."

Krieg DeVault

Schererville--219/227-6100

See Indianapolis listing.

Lucas Holcomb & Medrea

Merrillville--219//69-3561

www.lhmlaw.com

Managing Partner: Daniel Medrea

"In today's environment, providing quality legal services requires vision, planning and execution," says managing partner Daniel Medrea. "We are proud of our ability to envision our clients' needs and we provide quality services at high levels of sophistication. We listen, we focus and we respond."

The 13-member firm was founded in 1949 and moved from Gary to Merrillville in 1973. Over the years it has grown to provide a wide range of business and individual legal services. "They expect us to be, and we are, a counselor and advisor on all aspects of their business, from strategic planning to employment issues, non-discrimination issues hiring and firing practices, purchasing or selling of assets and the formation of other entities," Medrea says.

Newby Lewis

Kaminski & Jones

La Porte - 219/361-1577

www.nlkj.com

Managing Partners: Martin Kus, Mark Lienhoop, James Kaminski

Founded in 1907, the Newby firm today has 15 attorneys. Its business-law work includes everything from formation to sale or transfer of ownership (except public offerings), and includes federal, state and local compliance; all labor and employment issues, including collective bargaining; insurance claims; product-liability defense; unemployment-compensation defense; workers'-compensation defense; and zoning.

"Our service is equal to the best, but for a more reasonable fee," says managing partner Mark Lienhoop.

Pinkerton and Friedman

Munster--219/836-3050

www.pafiaw.com

Managing Partner: Kirk Pinkerton

"Pinkerton and Friedman, founded in 1975, provides a complete range of legal services to closely held business entities, including choice of entity, mergers and acquisitions, business succession and tax planning, transactions and affiliations involving healthcare professionals, shareholder disputes, estate planning and administration and commercial litigation.

"Our clients have sophisticated legal needs," says Kirk Pinkerton, managing partner of the firm. "It is our goal to meet these needs with 'service, solutions and success.'"

Spangler, Jennings

& Dougherty

Merrillville--219/769-2323

Valparaiso--219/462-6151

Other Indiana office: Indianapolis

www.sjdlaw.com

Managing Partner: Gregory J. Tonner

Founded in Gary in 1952, Spangler Jennings moved its main office to Merrillville in 1980. With 28 attorneys, the firm also has a branch office located in Indianapolis. Spangler Jennings has earned a reputation as one of Indiana's leading litigation-oriented law firms. Its attorneys have diversified their practices into numerous areas of personal injury, medical malpractice defense, worker's compensation, business and corporate matters, real estate, and trial and appellate law.

South Bend

Baker & Daniels

South Bend--574/234-4149

See Indianapolis listing.

Barnes & Thornburg

South Bend--574/233-1171

See Indianapolis listing.

Hunt Suedhoff Kalamaros

South Bend--574/232-4801

See Fort Wayne listing.

May Oberfell Lorber

South Bend--574/232-2031

Other Indiana office: Fort Wayne

www.maylorber.com

Managing Partner: Patricia E. Primmer

May Oberfell Lorber marked its 150th year of service in 2006. Today, May Oberfell Lorber has more than 30 local attorneys and paralegals on staff, all working each day to provide service effectively, compassionately and with utmost integrity May Oberfell Lorber delivers a broad range of legal services to a diverse client base.

Sopko Nussbaum & Inabnit

South Bend--574/234-3000

www.sni-law.com

Managing Partner: Richard A. Nussbaum II

The seven attorneys at Sopko Nussbaum & Inabint provide assistance m business and corporate law, estate planning, commercial litigation, personal injury litigation and civil mediation.

Tuesley Hall Konopa

South Bend--574/232-3538

www.thklawfirm.com

Managing Partner:

Thomas J. Hall

Founded in 1997, seven-attorney Tuesley & Hall's practice includes corporate, litigation, estate planning, real estate, construction, employment and other business law for industries and professions.

"Our attorneys and staff build strong relationships with clients by knowing their industry and understanding the business," says partner Malcolm J. Tuesley.

Elkhart

Baker & Daniels

Elkhart--574/296-6000

See Indianapolis listing.

Barnes & Thornburg

Elkhart--574/293-0681

See Indianapolis listing.

Sanders Pianowski

Elkhart--574/294-7277

www.rivenNalklaw.com

Managing Partner:

Robert Sanders

Founded in 1966, the 10-attorney, community-oriented Sanders Pianowski firm concentrates its practice in business, estate planning and litigation law, including mergers, acquisitions, labor and employment. It counsels clients of all sizes in matters from simple transactions to complex international deals.

"Most of our business derives from referrals from existing clients and other attorneys," says managing partner Robert Sanders. "We take pride in providing down-to-earth solutions for complicated issues by using a fully integrated approach. Our attorneys take a hands-on approach and consult closely with clients to determine their objectives and develop business and strategic alternatives to optimize the client's opportunities."

Fort Wayne

Baker & Daniels

Fort Wayne--260/424-8000

See Indianapolis listing.

Barnes & Thornburg

Fort Wayne--260/423-9440

See Indianapolis listing.

Barrett & McNagny

Fort Wayne--260/423-9551

www.barrettlaw.com

Managing Partner:

Anthony M. Stites

Since 1876, Barrett & McNagny has played an important role in establishing and sustaining leading business and public institutions, including insurance companies, banks, utilities, health-care providers, manufacturers and media companies.

Today, the 44-attorney firm's business practice includes corporate law, securities, acquisitions, bonds, taxation, employment law, employee benefits, commercial litigation and dispute resolution. It's also known for community service and leadership, pro bono legal work and financial support.

"Over the years, Barrett & McNagny has developed a tradition of excellence," says managing partner Anthony Stites.

Beers Mailers Backs & Salin

Fort Wayne--260/426-9706

LaGrange--260/463-4949

www.beersmallers.cam

Managing Partner:

Peter G. Mailers

One of Fort Wayne's oldest firms, Beers Mallers Backs & Salin traces its roots to 1901. In 1984, Dumas Backs Salin & Vegeler merged with Adair Perry Beers Mailers & Larimore, creating a 10-lawyer firm. It took today's name in 1989 and now has 20 attorneys.

Representing municipalities and all sizes of businesses, its services include business and transactional law, creditors rights, bankruptcy, auction law, labor and employment relations, commercial litigation, mediation, real estate development, land use and financing.

Burt Blee Dixon Sutton & Bloom

Fort Wayne--260/426-1300

Managing Partner:

Michael Moellering

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