As a young lawyer, Steve was a commercial litigator primarily representing creditors in state and federal courts, including bankruptcy courts. His clients frequently took title to real estate, and asked Steve to assist in the disposition of this real estate. This real estate was often distressed for a variety of reasons, and as a result, years ago, Steve gained significant experience in both litigation and commercial real estate.
Steve was involved in litigation and transactions involving office buildings, strip malls, hotels, apartments, a swimming complex, a marina, incomplete housing developments, industrial parks, funeral homes, railroads and right of ways, manufacturing facilities, signage, livestock operations, gravel pits, schools, a college campus, and farming operations. He represented a variety of businesses in real estate development, land use and zoning matters. He also regularly represented parties in construction disputes, property disputes, eminent domain, and all sorts of commercial litigation.
Steve is the author of Acquiring Distressed Commercial Real Estate, and co-author of The Bankruptcy Code and Indiana’s Mechanic’s Lien Law. He was seminar co-chairman, speaker and author for “Foreclosure and Repossession in Indiana,” sponsored by the National Business Institute. He was co-chairman and speaker at a seminar titled “Protecting Creditors’ Rights in Bankruptcy,” and co-chairman and speaker at a seminar titled “Credit & Collections in Indiana” sponsored by CPM Seminar Systems, Inc. He spoke on bankruptcy issues at an ICLEF seminar titled “Issues in Commercial Real Estate.”
Steve was annually recognized on the Indiana Super Lawyers and the The Best Lawyers in America lists in both bankruptcy and real estate. He was twice named Fort Wayne Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year by Super Lawyers. In 2011, he was recognized as a "Northeast Indiana Top 100 Connector" by Leadership Fort Wayne and the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette for being someone who is able to make meaningful connections for others.
In addition to his real estate and commercial litigation practices, Steve is a registered mediator.
Professional and Community Involvement
Council member, Indiana State Bar Association Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights Section
Member, Allen County Bar Association Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights Section
Former director, Allen County Bar Association
Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
Member, Commercial Law League of America
Honors
The Best Lawyers in America, 2010-2023
Indiana Super Lawyers, 2010-2020
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Northeast Indiana Top 100 Connectors, 2011
