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Lewis & Kappes Joins Law Firm Alliance
Lewis & Kappes has become a member of the Law Firm Alliance, a strategic network of mid-sized firms throughout the United States and in a number of international locations. The purpose of the Alliance is to enable members to provide clients with the benefit of capable and responsive legal services and support in a broad range of subjects and localities. There are about fifty members in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the European Union, comprising about 4,000 attorneys experienced in all major areas of the law.
The members of the Alliance are selected carefully, and only one is chosen to serve a particular region. All of the member firms have similar size, depth and professional capabilities. Each member of the Alliance has achieved an "AV" rating through the Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Rating system, showing the highest level of professional standards. When calling on a fellow member of the Alliance to serve a client's needs, therefore, Lewis & Kappes can provide access to legal services and support throughout the country and beyond, with confidence that the level of service and professionalism will be maintained at a comparable standard.
As a member of the Alliance, Lewis & Kappes has the capability to draw on the combined resources and diverse experience of the entire Alliance, and provide clients with the benefit of a wealth of legal perspective and support. When a client is looking for local representation, the Alliance allows Lewis & Kappes to ensure that reliable service is available whenever and wherever the need may arise.
Additional information regarding the Law Firm Alliance is available at its website, www.lawfirmalliance.org.
Marco Moreno Selected to Co-Chair Congressional Latino Advisory Council
INDIANAPOLIS - In an effort to enhance an ongoing dialogue with the growing Latino population, Congressman André Carson today launched his Congressional Latino Advisory Council. The council, which is comprised of a diverse array of leaders throughout Indianapolis , will provide advice and offer input on issues affecting the Latino community.
"As we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, it's important to shine a spotlight on the important contributions made by the Latino community every day in the 7th Congressional District," said Congressman Carson. "But as we move forward, it's vital we focus on ways to increase outreach to Latinos well beyond this celebratory month.
"That's why I created this advisory group. The qualifications and expertise of these leaders, combined with all of their diverse backgrounds, will offer invaluable perspective when it comes to understanding the needs and concerns of the Latino community. I am thankful for their willingness to serve, and I am looking forward to hearing their ideas."
For more information about the advisory council please contact: Marlene Dotson, (317) 283-6516 or via e-mail at Marlene.Dotson@mail.house.gov.
Congressional Latino Advisory Council
Co-Chairs:
- Marco Moreno, Lewis & Kappes Law Firm
- Marco Dominguez, Financial Center
Members:
- Aida McCammon, Indiana Latino Institute
- Miriam Acevedo, La Plaza
- Maria Alexander, Latino Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence
- Carmen De Rusha, Community Development Purdue Extension
- Dr. Gloria Berlanga-King, Hispanic Health Resources - Wishard Health Services
- Veronica Guerrero, Mexican Business Alliance
- Katherine Souchet-Moura, Latino Youth Collective
- Charlie Garcia, Garcia Construction Group, Inc.
- Marilyn Updike, Indianapolis Public School
- Henry Fernandez , USA Funds
- Claudia Fuentes, Marion County Auditor's Office
- Vanessa Lopez, Attorney at Law
- Felipe Martinez, Whitewater Valley Presbytery
- Pat Rios, Attorney at Law
- Hilda Brady, Shalom Health Care Center
Lewis & Kappes is pleased to announce that Suzanne Robinson Gaidoo has been named director.
Gaidoo, a 2002 graduate of the University of Cincinnati College of Law, specializes legal matters pertaining to non profit organizations. She also practices in the fields of civil litigation and health care.
She joined Lewis & Kappes in 2002, after clerking at the firm during her third year at law school.
As an associate she concentrated on tax-exempt, federally qualified healthcare organizations. She now works with a wider range of non profits from start-ups to well established operations.
"It's easy to work hard when your clients are doing good things in the community," she said.
As a non profit's outside legal advisor, Gaidoo helps the organizations keep abreast of regulatory changes that could impact operations. "I am very focused on compliance and making sure each organization's board and staff have their ducks in a row so they can get down to the fun business of providing services and helping people in the community," she said.
Gaidoo's interest in the well-being of clients extends to her own work in the community. She's in her sixth year organizing Lewis & Kappes' Law Day program that exposes a select group of Indianapolis Public Schools students to the legal profession at its highest levels.
The 20 middle schoolers are selected from participants in D.R.E.A.M. Alive, a program started by former Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowl offensive tackle Tarik Glenn. The program has gotten so popular that participants are selected on the basis of application essays.
Lewis & Kappes' participation in the Law Day program is making a difference in these student's lives, Gaidoo said. One student she's gotten to know has improved her grades since her first Law Day as a sixth grader. She visited the firm again when she was in the eighth grade. "You ask her today what she wants to be and she'll tell you she wants to be lawyer," Gaidoo said.
Having the opportunity and encouragement to develop the Law Day program is what makes Gaidoo likes about working at Lewis & Kappes.
"It's important for the students to see somebody cares," Gaidoo said, of her colleagues. Everyone here really tries to make them feel special that day, she said.
Gaidoo was in Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series, Class XXXIII, was a listed an Indiana Super Lawyer Rising Star in 2008 and 2008 and serves on the board of directors of D.R.E.A.M Alive.
Thirteen Lewis & Kappes Attorneys Named Indiana
"Super Lawyers" or "Rising Stars" For 2009
In the 2009 edition of the annual publication of "Indiana Super Lawyers," thirteen Lewis & Kappes attorneys have been listed as "Super Lawyers" or "Rising Stars." The eight selected as "Super Lawyers" and their areas of practice are:
- Bette J. Dodd - Utilities
- David W. Gray - Employment & Labor
- Gary P. Price - General Litigation
- Todd A. Richardson - Appellate
- Thomas R. Ruge - Immigration
- Steven L. Tuchman - Immigration
- John F. Wickes, Jr. - Energy & Natural Resources
In addition, the 2009 edition included a separate list of "Rising Stars," up-and-coming attorneys who are forty years old or younger or who have been in practice ten years or less. Five more Lewis & Kappes attorneys were recognized as "Rising Stars":
- Angela Adams - Immigration
- Sara R. Blevins - General Litigation
- Suzanne R. Gaidoo - Non-Profit
- Marco A. Moreno - Immigration
- Jennifer Wheeler Terry - Utilities
According to the publication, only 5 percent of the attorneys in Indiana are selected as "Super Lawyers" and only 2.5 percent are listed as "Rising Stars." The selection process includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation and research, and peer review by blue ribbon panels. As "Indiana Super Lawyers 2009" states, "The resulting product is a diverse and comprehensive listing of outstanding lawyers."
