Heidi B. Adair

Heidi is a partner whose legal practice is focused in the areas of Estate Planning and Elder Law. She is certified as an Estate Planning & Administration Specialist by the Indiana State Bar Estate Planning and Administration Specialty Certification Board. Heidi regularly advises clients regarding the protection of assets through the use of advanced Estate Planning and Elder Law planning. She has counseled numerous families regarding wills, Revocable Living Trusts, and the funding of those trusts, Medicaid, and nursing home expense planning, Guardianships, Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, and the probate administration process. She is also an accredited attorney for the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims of Veterans Affairs Benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In her free time, Heidi enjoys reading, camping trips to national parks, and visiting with her grown children.

ASSOCIATIONS

Allen County Bar Association

Indiana State Bar Association

Elder Law Section of the Indiana Bar Association

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Indiana Chapter-National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Elder Counsel

Wealth Counsel, LLC

Bar Admissions: Indiana, 1994

Kurt R. Bachman

Kurt is a partner at Beers Mallers, and is devoted to a general civil law practice concentrating in the areas of tax, general business organization and entity creation, business succession planning, Elder Law, estate planning and administration, real estate, commercial, municipal, and auction law. He is also an accredited attorney for the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for Veterans Benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Kurt has authored and co-authored the following publications: Author: "Waiting for the Hammer to Fall: A General Overview of Auction Law," 2002. Co-Author: "Uniform Auction and Auctioneer Licensing Act ("UAALA") 2006. Co-Author: "Waiting for the Hammer to Fall: A Guide for Auctioneers," 2008. Kurt has also authored several articles for Auctioneer Magazine, Indiana Auctioneer Magazine, Elkhart Senior Life Professional Forum, and LaGrange County Council on Aging monthly newsletter "The COA Reporter". Kurt stays busy with family events and enjoys watching his son play hockey and daughter show horses.

ASSOCIATIONS

LaGrange Bar Association

Allen County Bar Association

American Bar Association

Indiana State Bar Association

Supreme Court of the State of Indiana

U.S. District Court for Indiana, Northern and Southern Districts

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Indiana Chapter-National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

National Auctioneers Association

Indiana Auctioneers Association

Licensed Auctioneer for the State of Indiana

John B. "Jack" Bentz

Jack is a partner at Beers Mallers whose practice is devoted to commercial and residential real estate matters. Jack counsels clients regarding development, zoning and land use, general business law and transactional matters. He works to efficiently memorialize transactions, spot any approaching problems, deal with them before they become worse, and keep transactions moving productively forward.

G. William (Bill) Fishering

Bill is a partner whose practice is devoted to municipal law, municipal finance law, construction law, and labor law. Bill served as a Chief Deputy County Attorney from 1977 through 1984 and as the Allen County Attorney from 1984 to the present. He is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers and ABA Forum on The Construction Industry. Bill was selected by his peers as one of Indiana's Best Lawyers for Construction Law from 2008-2019. Outside of the office, Bill stays busy with family events and enjoys playing golf and Pontiacs.

ASSOCIATIONS

American Bar Association

Indiana State Bar Association

Ryan M. Gardner

Ryan is a partner whose legal practice focuses on business litigation, criminal defense, as well as domestic matters including divorce, adoption, and contested guardianship custody. Other areas of focus include personal injury litigation and estate matters. Ryan has been lead counsel in a wide range of cases and has extensive jury and bench trial experience. Ryan is a 2020 Indiana Rising Star for exhibiting excellence in the practice of law. He obtained his BA from Indiana University in 2008 and his J.D. from the University of Dayton, School of Law in 2012. He is admitted to practice before the Indiana State Courts, U.S. District Courts for Northern and Southern Indiana and also admitted to practice Pro Hac Vice in other states. Outside of the office, Ryan enjoys spending time with his family. He is an avid Indiana University and Indianapolis Colts fan and enjoys reading about history and current events, working out, and being active outdoors.

ASSOCIATIONS

Allen County Bar Association

Indiana State Bar Association

Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana

Indiana Rising Stars for 2019 Super Lawyers

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (Criminal Defense, General Practice, and Family Law)

Andrew E. Grossnickle

Andrew is a partner who focuses on the general practice of law including civil and criminal litigation, OWI, criminal defense (misdemeanor and felony), family law, divorce, child support, custody, guardianships, adoptions, wills, trusts, and estates. Since 1999, Andrew has served Wabash, Kosciusko, Noble, and Whitley Counties as a public defender in misdemeanor and felony criminal cases (including felony jury trials), juvenile delinquency and CHINS/TPR cases, child support contempt cases as well as appeals. He is a registered family law mediator and serves as a guardian ad litem in domestic relations cases. Andrew stays very busy with his family and enjoys spending time with his wife, Lindsey, and daughter Norah. He is an avid IU fan, enjoys watching and playing sports, and lake activities.

ASSOCIATIONS

Kosciusko County Bar Association

Wabash County Bar Association

Indiana Public Defender Council

Indiana State Bar Association

U.S. Northern Districts of Indiana

Adam M. Henry

Adam M. Henry is the firm's Managing Partner who practices primarily in the areas of general business law and commercial real estate, including entity formation, transactional matters, development, zoning and land use. His clients include small to medium-sized businesses and financial institutions. He also handles commercial and construction litigation for his business and municipal clients. Adam's focus also includes municipal law, including police professional liability, eminent domain, and code enforcement. He regularly represents his municipal clients in State and Federal Court. Adam also represents police officers on administrative, criminal and critical incident matters. He serves as General Counsel to the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association of Fort Wayne and other local police unions. Adam holds a bachelor degree from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. He graduated from the Maurer School of Law at Indiana University in Bloomington with the degree of Juris Doctor. He joined the law firm of Beers Mallers Backs & Salin, LLP in his hometown of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and partnered in 2014. In addition to maintaining a full-time law practice and managing the law firm, Adam volunteers his time to numerous not-for-profit boards throughout the community including the Boys & Girls Club of Fort Wayne.

ASSOCIATIONS

Allen County Bar Association

Indiana State Bar Association

Daniel K. Leininger

Dan is a partner in the firm's Warsaw office, and has been in the private practice of law for more than 40 years. He focuses his practice on estate planning, estate and trust administration, asset protection, long term nursing home care planning, and veteran benefits. He has completed a rigorous estate planning course sponsored by the University of Denver Law School concentrating on the use of family limited partnerships, dynasty trusts, and other trust techniques aimed at passing wealth to future generations while minimizing death taxes. In addition, Dan devotes a substantial amount of his practice to helping families plan for the long term nursing home care of their loved ones while preserving family assets. Dan is an accredited attorney by the Veterans Affairs, enabling him to counsel veterans and their families on compensation and pension benefits for qualifying wartime veterans. In his free time, Dan can be found enjoying cycling, playing Frisbee with his yellow lab, Bo, and defeating his wife in tennis.

ASSOCIATIONS

Kosciusko County Bar Association

Indiana State Bar Association

WealthCounsel, LLC

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Indiana Chapter-National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Peter G. Mallers II

Pete is a Partner whose practice is devoted to commercial real estate, including transactions, financing, zoning and land use, and construction and development. He also focuses on general business law, including entity formation, transactional matters and financing. Pete represents small and medium sized businesses, commercial real estate developers, health care systems, and municipalities. Pete's experience allows him to provide a broad scope of knowledge in his representation of the business and real estate development clients he has focused on for the past 40 years. In addition to maintaining a full-time law practice, Pete was Managing Partner of the firm for nearly 30 years. As Managing Partner he was responsible for the firm's growth from one Fort Wayne office to three locations in Northeast Indiana. With his law firm management and business law experience and his many years of working in the commercial real estate and development community, Pete offers clients the highest quality of practical, business and legal advice that has helped them attain their development and business goals.

ASSOCIATIONS

Allen County Bar Association

Indiana State Bar Association

Fort Wayne Public Television, Inc. / PBS39 Board Member and Chair (past)

Fort Wayne Philharmonic Board Member and Chair (past)

STAR Financial Community Reinvestment Act Committee (past)

STAR Financial Advisory Board (past)

Graduate Leadership Fort Wayne

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Board Member and President (past)

United Hispanic Americans Board Member (past)

Greek Fest Chairman (past)

Theodore T. "Ted" Storer

Theodore T. Storer is a partner with Beers Mallers Backs & Salin, LLP and the chair of the firm's litigation section. He has extensive experience in civil litigation on behalf of individuals, small businesses and large entities. He has represented financial institutions in complex banking matters, owners and contractors in constructions disputes and businesses in commercial litigation. Ted regularly represents employers in human resource and personnel matters. Ted also defends governmental entities in tort and employment matters.

ASSOCIATIONS
Allen County Bar Association, Civil Litigation Section
Allen County Bar Association
American Bar Association
Indiana State Bar Association

AWARDS
AV rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell
Indiana Super Lawyer, 2017-2020
Fort Wayne Monthly Top Lawyer, 2013-2015
Current Vice-Chair of the ACBA Civil Litigation Section, 2017-Present

Benjamin B. Bentrup

Ben's legal practice touches a number of areas, but principal among them is Municipal Law. After a 10+-year teaching career in high school Spanish, Ben entered law school with the intent to make the world a better place, especially in areas of religious freedom. He was presented with the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Bioethics as the top law student in Bioethics in 2013 and presented at the Symposium on Faith, Religious Freedom, and the Law on July 7, 2015. When he goes home, Mr. Bentrup loves to spend time with his wife and five children. He is also an avid chess player (including a past high school national blitz championship).

ASSOCIATIONS

Indiana State Bar Association

Indiana Supreme Court

Derick Dobson

Derick Dobson is an associate at Beers Mallers' Fort Wayne office with interest in commercial litigation, employment and labor disputes, and personal injury.

Derick hails from the Detroit-metro area, however, after earning his undergraduate degree at Purdue and his J.D. at IU, Derick is excited to be starting his career in the Hoosier state. In his downtime, he enjoys taking road trips and traveling abroad with his wife, walking with his dog, and singing.

ASSOCIATIONS

Indiana State Bar Association

Allen County Bar Association

Associate Member of the Benjamin Harrison American Inn of Court

Michael J. Hoffman

Michael practices in the areas of commercial and residential real estate, including zoning and land use, general business law, and transactional matters. Over ten years of experience in the construction field, including owning his own business for three years, has given Michael a unique perspective on construction-related issues. Outside of the office, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife, Holly, and their three boys. He enjoys lake activities, working out, camping, cars, shooting sports, and being outdoors.

ASSOCIATIONS

Allen County Bar Association

Indiana State Bar Association

Home Builders Association of Fort Wayne (HBA)

Building Contractors Association of Northeast Indiana (BCA)

Troy C. Kiefer

Troy C. Kiefer is very passionate about giving comfort and peace of mind to his clients, especially those in the later years of their lives. He believes his practice of the law is a calling to service. His intergenerational, family-centered upbringing has fostered in him a desire to address the unique needs of the elderly. He focuses his practice on Elder Law, Medicaid Planning, Estate Planning, Probate Estate Administration, Guardianships, and Special Needs Trusts. His service also extends to ministering to the needs of the homeless, lost, and those society has left behind, as exhibited through his involvement with the homeless in Fort Wayne. He enjoys fishing, table-top gaming, raising chickens, and his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Troy and his wife, Danielle, have two adult daughters and live in beautiful downtown Larwill, Indiana.

ASSOCIATIONS

National Association of Elder Law Attorneys

Indiana State Bar Association, Elder Law Section, Probate, Trusts, and Real Property Section

Allen County Bar Association, Probate, Trust, and Real Property Section

Fort Wayne Estate Planning Council

Tony B. Manns

Tony is an associate at the firm's LaGrange office, practicing in the areas of municipal law, general, corporate and real estate law, asset purchase agreements, contracts, litigation, estate planning, elder law, and asset preservation.

Prior to moving back to LaGrange in 2016, Tony started his law practice in Terre Haute. He also served as a Trial Deputy for the Vigo County Prosecutor's Office where he tried all levels of felony cases. Tony enjoys spending time with his wife, Molly, and their two children. He enjoys being outside in the garden, hunting, and he is an avid sports fan, especially football and IU basketball.

ASSOCIATIONS

LaGrange County Bar Association

Allen County Bar Association

Indiana State Bar Association

Indiana Trial Lawyers Association

Robert E. Rhee

Bob's practice is devoted to the areas of elder law, estate planning and administration, taxation, real estate and corporate law. He is also a Certified Public Accountant and has lectured to various professional groups on Medicaid and Estate Planning issues. He is a member of the Indiana State and Allen County Bar Associations, Fort Wayne Estate Planning Council, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), and the Indiana Chapter of NAELA. Bob is also an accredited attorney for the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for Veterans Affairs Benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). He was born in Durango, Mexico and is one of the few Spanish speaking attorneys in Fort Wayne. Bob stays busy with family events and enjoys playing chess and genealogy.

ASSOCIATIONS

Allen County Bar Association

Indiana State Bar Association

Elder Law Section of the Indiana State Bar Association

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Elder Counsel

Wealth Counsel, LLC

Janell M. Sprinkle

Janell is an associate and member of the Trust & Estate Planning Section at Beers Mallers. Her practice focuses on the areas of estate planning and asset preservation planning. Prior to joining Beers Mallers, Janell represented and counselled corporate clients on a variety of issues including mergers and acquisitions, securities matters, corporate structure, and governance. Outside the office, Janell loves traveling with her husband and three children. She also enjoys hiking, running and trying new local restaurants with friends.

ASSOCIATIONS

Indiana State Bar Association

Amy E. Thompson

Amy is an associate at Beers Mallers, practicing in the areas of collections and creditors' rights. She comes to the firm with more than 13 years of professional experience in banking and finance. Amy understands the importance of building good relationships and providing the highest level of service to her client while strictly adhering to the requirements of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and other applicable laws and regulations. Amy is passionate about service and community involvement. She has served as a hearing officer for Fort Wayne Housing Authority and as a board member for various organizations. During law school, Amy was nominated for and received the Judy Vaught Award for Service an award determined by her peers. In her free time, Amy loves watching Notre Dame and Colts football, playing volleyball, and reading. She can also be found cheering her kids on at a baseball game, marching band competition, or show choir competition.

ASSOCIATIONS

Allen County Bar Association

Indiana State Bar Association

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana

U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana

Registered Domestic Relations Mediator

Appellate Justice Project for Domestic Violence Survivors, Co-founder

Jesica L. Thorson

Jesica is an associate and member of the Elder Law and Trust & Estate Planning Sections at Beers Mallers. Her practice focuses on the areas of guardianships, estate administration, estate planning, and asset preservation planning. Jesica speaks to various groups on issues of Medicaid eligibility and Elder Law. She also is an accredited attorney by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), enabling her to counsel qualifying wartime Veterans on compensation and pension benefits. Jesica stays busy keeping up with her three children. She enjoys watching them play sports and camping along Lake Michigan's shoreline.

ASSOCIATIONS

Allen County Bar Association

Indiana State Bar Association

Elder Law Section of the Indiana State Bar Association

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

Elder Counsel

Wealth Counsel, LLC

Kevin Paul Bruns

Kevin is partner at Beers Mallers. His practice is devoted to estate administration, Business & Corporate law, municipal law and municipal finance. Kevin advises a variety of local government bodies, from counties to special districts. He also serves as general counsel for multiple municipalities. Kevin also provides counsel on general corporate and real estate law.

ASSOCIATIONS

Allen County Bar Association

Indiana State Bar Association

LaGrange County Bar Association