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

• Position: LAW - Directory

Northwest Indiana

Beckman Kelly & Smith

Hammond--219/933-8206

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 11-attorney firm.

Bose McKinney & Evans

Chesterton--219/983-1552

Crown Point--219/663-2968

See Indianapolis listing.

Hoeppner Wagner & Evans

Valparaiso--219/464-4961

Merrillville--219/769-6552

www.hwelaw.com

Managing Partner:

William F. Satterlee III

Awards say much about this 30-attorney firm. On the client side, Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly readers voted it best law firm for three consecutive 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 F. Satterlee III says of its varied practice. "Our mainstays are our employment and trial practices, which include mediation and arbitration."

Krieg DeVault Galvin

Hammond--219/933-0380

See Indianapolis listing.

Lucas Holcomb & Medrea

Merrillville--219/769-3561

www.expage.com/page/lhm

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 12-member firm founded in Gary in 1949 moved to Merrillville in 1973 and provides a wide range of business and individual legal services. "We have always been known as being widely engaged in the business community," 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.pflawoffice.com

Managing Partner: Kirk Pinkerton

"Our mission is 'service, solutions, success,'" managing partner Kirk Pinkerton says of the five-attorney firm founded in 1975. "Our goal is to advance and protect clients' interests without losing sight of their objectives by 'lawyering' them out of business decisions."

Its practice includes business formation and counseling; mergers and acquisitions; business succession and tax planning; transactions and affiliations involving healthcare professionals and entities; shareholder disputes; and contract, commercial and other litigation.

Spangler, Jennings & Dougherty

Merrillville--219/769-2323

Valparaiso--219/462-8151

Other Indiana office: Indianapolis

www.sjdlaw.com

Managing Partner: Dan Gioia

As northwest Indiana's largest firm, Spangler, Jennings & Dougherty has 38 lawyers spread over three offices. Founded in Gary in 1952, it moved its headquarters to Merrillville in 1980.

The firm's history is rooted in insurance defense. Some of the nation's largest carriers use the firm to represent defendants in civil cases. "Car accidents, medical liability, it's grown to medical malpractice," according to Dan Gioia, managing partner.

In addition, the firm has diversified into other areas, including worker's compensation, real estate, land development and zoning.

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 marks its 150th year of service in 2006. That and a sound group of 17 attorneys contribute to the firm's reputation of stability, says administrator Earl Brickner. "This is a very cohesive group of attorneys."

In business law, the firm focuses on corporate counsel, business transactions, loan documentation work, labor from the employer's side, immigration work for corporate employees and commercial litigation.

"We are involved in community activities, supporting organizations and youth programs," Brickner says.

Sopko Nussbaum & Inabnit

South Bend--574/234-3000

www.sni-law.com

Managing Partner: Thomas Sopko

The seven attorneys at Sopko Nussbaum & Inabnit provide assistance in business and corporate law, estate planning, commercial litigation, personal injury litigation and civil mediation. "We've had the good fortune of growing along with many of our business clients, who've moved from small to larger businesses and even public corporations," says managing partner Tom Sopko, who founded the firm in 1975 as Sopko & Associates.

Tuesley & Hall

South Bend--574/232-3538

www.tuesley-hall.com

Managing Partners:

Malcolm J. Tuesley & 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.riverwalklaw.com

Managing Partner:

Robert Sanders

Founded in 1966, the 10-attorney, community-oriented 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 40-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 Mallers

Backs & Salin

Fort Wayne--260/426-9706

LaGrange--260/463-4949

www.beersmallers.com

Managing Partner: Peter G. MaLlers

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 Mallers & 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

Burt Blee Dixon Sutton & Bloom is a general-practice firm with a primary focus in business, banking and real-estate law, covering a myriad of services. Founded in 1978, the Fort Wayne firm today has 23 attorneys.

"We're pretty practical; our clients want a practical solution to their challenges," says managing partner Michael Moellering. "We like to say we practice preventive law."

Carson Boxberger

Fort Wayne--260/423-9411

Other Indiana office: Bloomington

www.carsonboxberger.com

Managing Partner: Richard P. Samek

Serving as general counsel to local, regional and national businesses, the 24...