About Steve

Steve is a partner in the firm’s Business Practice Section and previously served as CCHA’s Managing Partner. He is an experienced corporate lawyer with more than two decades of experience advising clients on M&A transactions, outside general counsel matters, and real estate transactions. Steve counsels business owners and organizations on strategic transactions and long-term operational issues, with particular emphasis on SMB and lower to middle market business sales and acquisitions, corporate governance, and commercial real estate matters.

Steve has earned an “AV Preeminent” rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible rating for legal ability and ethical standards based on the confidential opinions of judges and fellow attorneys. He has also been recognized by Super Lawyers. In addition, Steve serves as a member of the Indiana State Board of Law Examiners’ Committee on Character and Fitness.

Steve’s practice is focused on advising closely held businesses, family-owned companies, and middle-market organizations across a broad range of industries. He regularly counsels clients in connection with mergers and acquisitions, stock and asset sales, ownership transitions, shareholder and operating agreements, succession planning, and general corporate matters. Many clients rely on Steve as outside corporate counsel, turning to him for practical, business-focused legal advice throughout the life cycle of their organizations.

A substantial component of Steve’s practice involves real estate transactions. He represents commercial and residential property owners, including educational and other institutional clients, in connection with acquisitions, sales, financing, and leasing matters. Steve also advises educational institutions on endowment matters, including endowment modifications and appropriations under applicable law.

Steve also draws on his prior litigation experience representing clients in complex commercial and business disputes before state and federal courts and administrative agencies. This experience informs his transactional practice by enabling him to identify, anticipate, and mitigate risk in structuring deals and contractual relationships.

Steve also provides tailored legal services to business owners and their families in connection with succession planning, estate planning, and estate and trust administration, often coordinating these services to align business, ownership, and personal planning objectives.

Steve was born in Indiana and graduated from Lower Dauphin High School near Hershey, Pennsylvania. He returned to Indiana to attend Purdue University, where he earned a B.S. in Industrial Management, with minors in Industrial Engineering and Psychology, and served as President of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Steve remained in Indiana for law school, graduating cum laude from Indiana University School of Law.

Outside the office, Steve enjoys spending time with friends and family, including his wife and daughter. He is an avid golfer and a member of Sagamore Golf Club in Noblesville, Indiana.