Firm History

The law firm of Lewis & Kappes was created one night in 1985 over dinner and a handshake. Two premier Indianapolis business litigation attorneys - Ted Lewis and Phil "Skip" Kappes - decided to bring their experience and skills to a small firm setting, dedicated to quality representation and the establishment of close client relationships. Although the firm has grown considerably since that time, we have maintained the standards of legal distinction and client responsiveness exemplified by our founding partners.

The attorneys of Lewis & Kappes make up an effective team able to take on the most complex and challenging issues facing you or your business, whether involving litigation, business transactions, immigration, estate planning, intellectual property, labor and employment, family law or other matters. Our firm features several attorneys honored as Super Lawyers in Indianapolis Monthly magazine and two Trial Lawyers of the Year as named by the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association. One of our attorneys has been chosen as Honorary Consul of Denmark, and our firm has been selected to represent the Mexican Consulate in Indianapolis.

Located on the twenty-fifth floor of the OneAmerica Tower. Lewis & Kappes is in the heart of the Midwest business district, adjacent to the federal and state courts, agencies and governmental bodies with which we interact. Our clients range from large corporations to small and medium-sized businesses to individuals, and we also represent municipalities, non-profit organizations and associations of every type. We offer a full range of legal services to meet the needs of a broad variety of clients, ranging from high-profile cases with millions of dollars at stake to small pro bono matters undertaken as a public service.

Lewis & Kappes has cultivated a reputation with our clients, with the courts and within the legal community as a collection of experienced attorneys delivering aggressive and innovative services in a cost-effective manner. While we offer the kind of work product, human resources and technical support expected from a large law firm, we retain the small firm efficiency and focus on personal attention to client needs that has always characterized the firm's practice.

Client Approach

At Lewis & Kappes, we strive to provide effective legal services with the performance and technical resources of a large firm, while retaining the personal client interaction and cost-effectiveness of a small firm. We do it by placing a premium on flexibility, state-of-the-art technology, personal integrity and a philosophy in which the client's needs are paramount.

The attorneys at Lewis & Kappes are not compartmentalized in a rigid organizational structure. Rather, we work together as a team to meet the needs and serve the interests of our clients. This kind of flexibility allows us to adapt to developments and react quickly and efficiently to pressing concerns, while placing the diverse experience and expertise of the entire firm at the client's disposal.

We pride ourselves on the human and technical resources we have developed to serve our clients and we maintain a state-of-the-art computer system. In addition to e-mail and traditional lines of communication, we offer client-specific secure web sites through which scanned pleadings and documents relating to a particular matter can be accessed rapidly and at the client's convenience. Our electronic document management capabilities enable us to organize and store large volumes of documents in a searchable format, enhancing both the client's access to information and the ability of Lewis & Kappes to handle complex matters conveniently and effectively.

Our most important resource, however, is human. Our support staff of paralegals and legal assistants enables us to serve clients as efficiently and economically as possible, and to maintain personal contact with clients under any circumstances.

Our goal in providing legal services is to satisfy the customer. That process involves more than delivering legal performance that serves the needs of the client. It calls for developing a working relationship founded on mutual understanding and trust. We endeavor to keep clients informed and actively involved in decisions affecting their legal interest, and we strive to earn the client's respect by demonstrating personal integrity and honesty. Lewis & Kappes is committed to performing legal services in a professional and efficient manner, and we take great pride in the work we do for our clients.

Pro Bono Activities and Community Involvement

Lewis & Kappes actively supports pro bono and civic activities throughout Indiana. We feel strongly that lawyers must assume an integral role in strengthening the communities in which we work and live. We also believe that lawyers have a professional duty to provide those who cannot afford a lawyer with access to legal representation and advice. Because this is what we believe, Lewis & Kappes has enacted a written pro bono policy that requires each of our attorneys to devote 50 hours of representation on pro bono legal matters each year. Our professionals represent individuals, children in need of services, families, civic, charitable, and other not-for-profit organizations as a part of our commitment to provide pro bono legal services.

Contact Us

Whether you need an aggressive Indiana business litigation attorney, a compassionate family law lawyer, an experienced intellectual property litigator, knowledgeable immigration representation, or another of our many legal services, Lewis & Kappes is here to help. Contact us to consult with one of our lawyers. We represent individuals and companies around the world that have business interests in or near Indianapolis, including Bloomington, South Bend, Fort Wayne, Lafayette, Gary, and Evansville.