pkappes@lewis-kappes.com

317.639.1210

Practice Areas

Corporate and business law; intellectual property; estate planning; mediation.

Philip "Skip" Kappes has been practicing law for 57 years in his various areas of expertise. His practice is primarily concentrated in the area of corporate and business law, giving general advice to various corporate clients and resolving complex commercial disputes through litigation or other means. He also provides advice and assistance to companies and individuals who wish to protect their intellectual property rights. He is a certified mediator, helping parties to civil actions attempt to resolve their disputes before trial and to avoid the complexities and emotionally draining nature of extensive litigation. Mr. Kappes provides estate planning services to clients with large and small estates, helping to ensure that their loved ones and other beneficiaries receive the optimal yield from a life of hard work. He has been and is active in a number of community service organizations, serving as a past President of both the Children's Museum Board of Trustees and the Central Indiana Council Boy Scouts of America, a trustee of Butler University, and a past chairman of the board of Fairbanks Hospital.

Education

Butler University, B.A., cum laude,1945; University of Michigan, J.D., 1948.

Bar Admissions

Indiana State Bar, 1948; United States Supreme Court, 1970.

Experience

Associate, Armstrong and Gause, 1948-49; Associate, C.B. Dutton, 1950-51; Partner, Dutton Kappes & Overman, 1952-85; Partner, Lewis Kappes Fuller & Eads, 1985-89; Director, Lewis & Kappes, 1989-present.

Affiliations

Honorary Fraternity, Tau Kappa Alpha; Member, Indiana State Bar Association (Secretary, 1973-74, Executive Committee and Board of Managers, 1973-74, District Representative, Board of Managers, 1976-77, House of Delegates, 1958-, Chairman, Law Practice Management Committee, 1992, Public Relations Executive Committee, 1966-69, Chairman, Committee on American Citizenship, 1953, Grievance Committee, 1960-61, Midwinter Meeting, 1965); Member, Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee, 2002 - Present; Member, Law Office Management Committee, 2001 - Present; Member, Improvements in the Judicial System, 2002 - Present; Chairman, Subcommittee on Merit Selection of Judges, 2005 - Present; Member, American Bar Association (House of Delegates, 1970-71, Chairman, Lawyers Title Guaranty Fund Committee, 1971-73); American Judicature Society; Lawyers Club of Indianapolis; Lawyers Association of Indianapolis; Fellow, Indianapolis Bar Foundation; Indiana Bar Foundation; American Bar Foundation; Adjunct Professor of Business Law, Butler University, 1948-52.

Community Affiliations

Trustee, Butler University, 1990, 1992; President, Butler University Alumni Association, Inc., 1955-57; Director, Scottish Rite Children's Learning Center, 1997-98, Chairman of the Board, 2000-2003, Vice Chair 2003-present; Director, Indianapolis Scottish Rite Cathedral Foundation, Inc., 1997-present, Chairman 1998; Trustee, Indianapolis Valley Scottish Rite; Director, Scottish Rite of Indianapolis Foundation, Inc., 1998-present; Chapter Advisor, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity at Butler University, 32 years; Masons, Worshipful Master, 1975, 33rd Degree Most Wise Master, 1982-84, Indianapolis Chapter Rose Croix Executive Committee, Trustee, 1996-2001.

Honors & Awards

Who's Who in America;
Who's Who in American Law;
Who's Who in Finance and Industry;
33rd Degree Mason (Honorary);
Life Trustee, Children's Museum of Indianapolis;
Life Director, Crossroads of America Council BSA;
Buchanan Award of Excellence, Indianapolis Bar Association;
Indianapolis Bar Association Board of Managers, Award for Improvements in the Judicial System;
Mortar Award, Butler University Alumni Association;
Indiana State Bar Association Golden Career Award;
Distinguished Alumnus Award, Butler University.