As a member of the Real Estate Department, Stephen handles virtually all aspects of commercial real estate law, including commercial real estate acquisition, development, construction, financing, leasing, disposition, land use and zoning, and related litigation, including condemnation proceedings. He works diligently with clients to find and implement innovative, practical, and cost-effective solutions to satisfy their legal needs. Since 2014, Stephen has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in the field of real estate law. He has also been recognized in the 2009-2015 editions of Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business.
Stephen graduated in 1971 from Ball State University with a B.S. in business. Following three years as an officer in the United States Navy, he graduated summa cum laude in 1977 with a J.D. from the Indiana University School of Law Bloomington. Stephen joined Barnes & Thornburg in 1978 following a one-year federal judicial clerkship for the Honorable Jesse E. Eschbach. He is a member of the Indianapolis and Indiana State Bar Associations.
Stephen is, or has been, active in a number of civic, social, and cultural organizations including board, officer, and committee positions with The Julian Center, Indiana Repertory Theatre, United Way of Central Indiana, Indiana University School of Law Bloomington Alumni Association and Board of Visitors, Ball State University College of Business Alumni Board and Ball State University College of Business Entrepreneurship Advisory Board.
He is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Indiana, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States.