Clay County Lawyers

Matthew R. Effner (Matt) is the managing partner of Effner Law Firm. In 1996, Matt joined his father, Robert O. Effner, in the practice of law as an associate with Effner Law Firm and became a partner in 2000. He took over as managing partner in 2013. Matt is skilled at building strong cases and is a zealous advocate for his clients. He is experienced at handling issues both in and out of the courtroom. He is a former president of the Terre Haute Bar Association, and he received the Tribune Star Readers’ Choice Award for Best Lawyer in...

Jon Spurr is a native of the Wabash Valley. Born in Clinton, Indiana. He has been actively practicing law since 1998 with a focus on Divorce, Paternity, Custody, Child Support, Visitation matters, Adoptions, Guardianships and CHINS proceedings. Jon is a Domestic Relations Mediator and is available to perform services as a Guardian Ad Litem. Jon is also licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois.

Mark Hassler has been a litigator for his entire professional career, beginning in 1981. Mark has represented individuals and business entities in numerous Indiana Courts and in Federal Courts in Indiana, California and Texas. He has extensive jury trial experience, including many trials involving wrongful death, serious personal injury and medical malpractice. His litigation experience also includes business and insurance disputes, as well as disputes involving family trusts, wills and real estate. Mark is AV Preeminent* peer review-rated, the highest rating through Martindale-Hubbell. He, too, has been selected by his contemporaries to serve as President and Secretary of the...

Our firm handles personal injury, bankruptcy, social security disability, estate planning, Wills and Estates, Immigration, real estate and criminal defense matters. Scott E. Racop is a graduate of Indiana State University (BA) and Indiana University School of Law Bloomington (JD). Mr. Racop has 27 years of legal experience. Mr. Racop established Racop Law Offices, P.C. in 1996. Mr. Racop has extensive jury trial experience in both civil and criminal cases and is admitted to practice in the Southern and Northern District Courts of Indiana, the Southern and Central Districts Courts of Illinois, the State of Indiana, and the 7th Circuit...

John Forest Bymaster is a proud graduate of Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 2005. John Bymaster began the study of bankruptcy in 2002 during law school. His research culminated in an advanced study entitled, ” Bankruptcy: The Restoration of Public Productivity.” This project focused on the dramatic changes to the bankruptcy code put in to effect in 2005.

Knowing that experience is the best teacher, John Bymaster accepted a position as an attorney at the largest bankruptcy firm in the mid-west. He quickly gained valuable, specialized experience that sets him apart from other offices...

Matt Boulton’s original plan was to use his law degree in the corporate world. During law school, however, he discovered the joy of representing clients in the courtroom. Assisting individuals and families through some of the most difficult and important issues of their lives is his primary focus. Matt Boulton started his career by gaining experience working in a large plaintiff’s personal injury firm, but his passion for helping others eventually led him to open Boulton Law Group to be able to offer each of his clients the personal attention their case deserves. Matt has been representing injured people...

Ken Nunn prides himself and his personal injury law office as being tough, smart, and incredibly organized. Since 1967, he has been dedicated to helping injured people fight insurance companies. He strongly believes in giving each client great respect and in working hard as possible – even on the smallest cases. Ken is often working in his office late at night, as well as on weekends and holidays.

A graduate of Indiana University School of Law, he has received many National Recognition awards and was published in four books featured on Amazon.com’s Best Seller lists. His law office has obtained...

Mr. Mann has been selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers SuperLawyers Edition for 2009 through and including 2023. Mr. Mann is a Certified Family Law Specialist by the Family Law Certification Board. Many think this certification applies only to divorce, it also applies to custody, support, orders of protection (commonly called protective orders or peace bonds), visitation matters, adoptions, guardianships, juvenile matters such as paternity, criminal and Children in need of services. Mr. Mann and his firm are proud to have been one of the firms who represented Same-Sex couples who were successful in overturning Indiana's ban on Same-Sex marriage....

John McLaughlin graduated magna cum laude from Indiana University School of Law at Indianapolis before joining Parr Richey Frandsen Patterson Kruse LLP as an attorney. He has focused his practice on representing personal injury victims since joining the firm. John primarily has experience handling automobile and trucking accident cases involving serious injuries, and he also handles all other areas of the firm’s injury practice including medical malpractice.

John has enjoyed working with his clients in reaching numerous settlements and jury trial verdicts since his first year of practice, including working to obtain compensation on behalf of victims injured in the Indiana...

For over 35 years, Mr. Kruse has represented injury victims in over 50 counties across the State of Indiana, as well as Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, and Michigan. He has resolved thousands of personal injury claims, through settlements, court trials, and jury verdicts in nearly every type of personal injury matter, including motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, product liability, and medical malpractice.

Since 1988, he has been a board member for the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association. He serves as a faculty member for the Annual Litigation Skills Workshop for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), training younger litigation attorneys. He has...

KENT FRANDSEN has practiced with the firm since 1977, concentrating in civil litigation, electric utility, zoning and land use, and education law. Following graduation from law school in 1975, Mr. Frandsen served as a law clerk to The Honorable James E. Noland, Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.

Mr. Frandsen has tried nearly 100 civil jury trials in state and federal courts, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. He has represented parties on appeal in over fifty cases in state and federal appellate courts. In three cases he has persuaded the Indiana Supreme Court...

Bob Stommel has been providing cost-effective representation to a broad range of Indiana and out-of-state clients, from individuals to large corporations, in the areas of business law, employment law, and general litigation for over 30 years.

I am a consumer bankruptcy attorney who represents clients in filing Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases. I have focused my career in bankruptcy since 2008, and have successfully represented hundreds of individuals in need. Our firm solely represents bankruptcy clients in order to provide the best possible representation. At our firm you will receive professional representation, exceptional client service, and will always have direct access to your attorney. We strive make the process easy, quick and affordable because we understand the bankruptcy process can be overwhelming. We want to provide our clients with the fresh start and stress...

Tony Patterson has extensive experience representing personal injury victims and wrongful death survivors throughout Indiana and the Midwest. He has worked hard for victims with serious injuries, including brain injury and spinal cord damage. Mr. Patterson’s personal injury practice includes diverse concentrations in areas such as automobile and trucking accidents, medical malpractice mass torts and all other areas of the firm’s injury practice. Mr. Patterson has obtained numerous million dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients, including working to obtain compensation on behalf of the victims of the Indiana State Fair Sugarland Stage Collapse, litigation in which he...

Rex devotes much of his time and attention to the legal profession. He was an adjunct associate professor at Indiana University-Purdue University, where he taught evidence and other courses. He’s been an arbitrator for the Better Business Bureau, served on the Indianapolis Bar Association litigation section’s executive committee, and has been president of the local chapter of the Christian Legal Society for years. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and a charter member of the local chapter of the American Inns of Court.

Graham has a multi-dimensional practice. In the governmental-services area, he assists government units with a wide range of issues—from competitive bidding and open-door-law compliance to land use issues and eminent domain proceedings. He has advised government clients at the state, county, and town levels.

In terms of litigation, Graham’s practice includes complex civil trial and appellate work in both state and federal courts. From plaintiff’s personal injury matters, and insurance coverage disputes, to breach-of-contract and real property issues, Graham has broad base of litigation experience. He has briefed cases in state trial courts, federal district court, Indiana Court of Appeals,...

Kara Reagan has been a partner at Schulz Reagan, LLC, where she focuses exclusively on family law matters, since 2018. Prior to that, she was with Stafford Law Office, LLC for over twelve years, practicing primarily family law. In addition to advocating for clients in traditional family law cases, Kara serves as a Guardian ad Litem, Domestic Relations Mediator, and she offers Collaborative law services.

Kara lives in Bloomington with her husband and their two children. She enjoys quilting, camping and hiking, volunteering at her daughters' schools, and leading a multi-age Girl Scout troop.

Christine L. Bartlett joined Ferguson Law in 2011. A lifelong Bloomington resident, Christine attended Indiana University for undergrad, where she majored in Art History and Sociology. She obtained her Juris Doctorate degree from Indiana University Mauer School of Law. While attending law school, she served as a Managing Editor on the Federal Communications Law Journal. Christine has served on the Monroe County Apartment Association Board since 2013 and is a member of the Monroe County Bar Association.

Brandon Leon Newberry is a seasoned veteran disability lawyer deeply committed to upholding the rights and interests of military veterans. With a comprehensive background as a Marine combat veteran, security consultant, and legal scholar, Mr. Newberry brings a distinctive amalgamation of experiences and expertise to his legal practice. During his tenure in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2006 to 2014, Brandon achieved the rank of Sergeant, specializing as an assaultman and TOW Gunner. Simultaneously, he pursued higher education, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Ashford University in Iowa. Post his honorable discharge from the Marines, Mr. Newberry continued...

J. Michael Deweese began as a law clerk in 2015 before joining the firm in 2016 as an Associate, concentrating his practice in the areas of utility and business law, including commercial and business litigation. Mr. Deweese graduated magna cum laude from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in May 2016. During his time in law school, Mr. Deweese served as a note development editor on the Indiana Law Review and advised lower-level students through the Dean’s Tutorial Society.

Prior to attending law school, Mr. Deweese graduated summa cum laude from Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus with a Bachelor...

David Ferguson joined the firm in 1981. His practice areas include General Civil Litigation; Insurance Law -- defense and coverage issues; Real Estate -- commercial transactions, litigation, planning and zoning, and historic renovation; Business Litigation; School Law; and Employment Law. David is a member of the American and Indiana State Bar Associations, the Monroe County Bar Association, National School Boards Association, Indiana Council of School Attorneys, and the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana. He is also a life member of the Fellows of the Indiana Bar Foundation. David is active in the community, He previously...

Joe Ross is or has been a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, Indiana Bar Association Bankruptcy Law Section, American Bar Association Business Law Section, Commercial Law League of America, and the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. Joe Ross has also earned an AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating available, which is an objective investigation into a lawyer's ethical standards and professional ability as evaluated by other lawyers and judges. Joe Ross has served on U.S. Bankruptcy Court Electronic Filing...

Aaron McCrea’s main focus at McCrea & McCrea is family law, including divorce and child related issues such as child custody and support. Aaron has been practicing law at McCrea & McCrea since 1997.

Aaron is a member of the Indiana State and Monroe County Bar Associations and serves as a court appointed guardian ad litem and judge pro tempore. Aaron has also enjoyed working with his father over the past 20 years representing teachers and their families through the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA).

Aaron has spent his life in Bloomington having graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in 1994...

Trust, Estate, Elder Law & Business Attorney.