Andrea L. Brandes joined the Office of Corporation Counsel in July 2008. Brandes graduated from the Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis in 1999 and earned a bachelor’s degree in history, magna cum laude with honors, from William Jewell College in 1995. She previously served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the major felony narcotics division of the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, as Assistant General Counsel and Administrative Law Judge for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and, most recently, oversaw London-based education loan operations and regulatory compliance as a Director of Sallie Mae International and Sallie Mae UK. Brandes is a certified mediator and currently serves as an Assistant Corporation Counsel providing counseling and eminent domain litigation representation for the Department of Public Works.
Drew W. Carlson joined the Office of Corporation Counsel in February, 2007. Carlson graduated magna cum laude from the Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis in 2005 and graduated with distinction in Anthropology from Indiana University in 1997. Prior to joining the Office of Corporation Counsel, Carlson practiced health care law with Reed Smith in Washington, D.C. As Deputy Chief Counsel in the Counseling Section, Carlson's current clients include most Marion County elected officials, the Indianapolis Fire Department, the Marion County Justice Agency, the Forensic Services Agency, and Animal Care and Control.
Adam W. Collins joined the Office of Corporation Counsel in 2008. Collins received his J.D. from the Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis in 2006 and is also a 2002 graduate of Wabash College. He currently serves as an Assistant City Prosecutor and is responsible for prosecuting violations of City ordinances.
Ellen S. Gabovitch was a clerk to Justice Roger O. DeBruler of the Indiana Supreme Court for 2 years before joining the Office of Corporation Counsel in 1985, where she now practices in personnel and employment law. Gabovitch got her B.S. in Public Affairs, summa cum laude, in 1979 and her J.D., cum laude, in 1982, both from Indiana University-Bloomington. Gabovitch's clients include the Human Resources Division, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Merit Board, Fire Merit Board, and the Citizens Police Complaint Board.
Logan Patrick Harrison graduated from Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis in May 2007 and is licensed to practice law in Indiana and in both the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana. While in law school, Logan clerked for the Indiana Attorney General's Office and for a United States Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Indiana. Logan received his Bachelor's degree in Communication in May 2004 from Indiana University-Bloomington. Logan is responsible for the general counsel of the Cable Franchise Agency and Board, City Market, Cooperative Extension Board, County Administrative Board, County Commissioners, Guardian's Home, License Review Board, Public Defender Agency and Board, Township Assessors, and Contractor Board.
Christopher Jolivette joined the Office of Corporation Counsel in July 2008. Jolivette earned his B.A. in Political Science and Geography from Indiana University-Bloomington in 1999 and his J.D. from Indiana University School of Law-Bloomington in 2004. Before attending law school, he was a Hearings Examiner for the Indiana Department of Transportation. Jolivette has also worked as a Deputy Prosecutor with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office and as a Deputy Public Defender with the Marion County Public Defender’s Agency. Currently, the Department of Metropolitan Development is Jolivette’s primary client.
Jennifer L. Jones joined the Office of Corporation Counsel in 2006. Jones earned her J.D. from Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis in 2002 and her B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from Purdue University in 1998. Prior to joining the Office of Corporation Counsel, Jones was a Deputy Prosecutor at the Marion County Prosecutor's Office. She currently serves as an Assistant City Prosecutor and is responsible for prosecuting violations of the City ordinances.
Nicole Kelsey joined the Office of Corporation Counsel in 2008. Kelsey earned her B.A. from Purdue University in Communications in 2003 and her J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law in 2007. She serves as Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Litigation Section.
Teri Kendrick received her B.A. from Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis in 1985 and her J.D. from Indiana University-Indianapolis in 1991. Before joining the Office of Corporation Counsel in 1996, Kendrick worked for the Marion County Prosecutor's Office for 6 years. Kendrick currently serves as City Prosecutor and is responsible for prosecuting violations of city ordinances.
Jonathan L. Mayes joined the Office of Corporation Counsel in January 2008. Mayes earned his doctorate of jurisprudence from the Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis in 2005 and graduated with honors in Accounting and Finance from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business in 2002. Prior to joining the Office of Corporation Counsel, Mayes practiced civil defense litigation at Hume Smith Geddes Green & Simmons, LLP and was appointed Corporation Counsel for Kokomo, Indiana. As Chief Litigation Counsel, Mayes leads the Office of Corporation Counsel's litigation team in defending the City and County in civil litigation and prosecuting civil claims on behalf of the same.
Richard McDermott joined the litigation section of the Office of Corporation Counsel in 2008. His litigation experience includes criminal prosecution while serving as a Marion County Deputy Prosecutor. As a Deputy Attorney General, he prosecuted health profession violations and defended state agencies and employees in civil litigation. He also practiced insurance defense law while employed as staff counsel at a large insurance company. He earned a B.S. in Public Affairs from Indiana University before graduating from I.U. School of Law - Indianapolis.
Mark A. Mertz has worked for the Office of Corporation Counsel since 1979, including ten years as City Prosecutor. He received his B.S., graduating summa cum laude from Ball State University in 1973, and his J.D. from Indiana University-Indianapolis in 1977. Prior to joining the Office, Mertz practiced with the Opinions Section of the Office of Indiana Attorney General. Mertz concentrates in ordinance drafting and contract law, and lists among his clients the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, County Sheriff, Emergency Management Planning Division, Indiana Task Force One, Circuit and Superior Courts, and County Prosecutor.
Silvia Miller joined the Office of Corporation Counsel in 2008. Miller earned her J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law in 2002 and her B.A. in Political Science and Economics from Calvin College in 1998. Prior to joining the Office of Corporation Counsel, Miller did research and training for Lexis Nexis and served as Chief Counsel for Securities in the Secretary of State’s office. She currently serves as an Assistant City Prosecutor and is responsible for prosecuting violations of the City ordinances.
Amber L. Myers joined the Office of Corporation Counsel in 2008. Myers earned her J.D. from Thomas Cooley Law School in 2008 and her B.A. from Tri-State University in 2005. She currently serves as an Assistant City Prosecutor and is responsible for prosecuting violations of the City ordinances.
Stephen Neff has worked for the City of Indianapolis since 1984. Concentrating in land-use law and redevelopment law, Neff lists among his clients the Department of Metropolitan Development and the Board of Zoning Appeals. Neff got his B.A. from Adrian College in 1965 and his J.D. from Indiana University-Bloomington in 1968.
LeAnnette Pierce received her B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1983 from Case Western Reserve University. She worked eleven years for the Ohio Department of Transportation as a Project Engineer in both the Construction department and later in the Operations department where she helped design, maintain, and construct traffic signals, signs, and pavement markings. She received her JD from Indiana University – Indianapolis in 1998. After working at Cinergy on environmental litigation, she came to work for the city in 2000 where she represented the Department of Public Work’s Operations department. From 2004 through 2008, she worked as the city’s risk manager and the employee/labor relations manager. She currently represents the city at unemployment hearings along with representing the department of public works’ solid waste section, street maintenance section, administrative services section, customer service section, business service section, special event support section, environmental services’ hazardous waste section, and fleet services section. She also represents the Board of Public Works.
Justin F. Roebel joined the Office of Corporation Counsel in September of 2008. Justin received his B.A. from Yale University in 1999. Justin then graduated cum laude in 2002 from the Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis where he served as an Associate Editor on the Indiana Law Review. Prior to joining the Office of Corporation Counsel, Justin was a Deputy Attorney General in the Appellate Division of the Office of the Indiana Attorney General. Justin serves as Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Litigation Section.
Maxine Russell joined the Office of Corporation Counsel in the fall of 2006. Russell received her J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law in 1995 and her B.A. from Purdue University in 1991. Her earlier jobs include working as a health attorney with the Indiana State Department of Health and as a tax attorney with the Indiana Department of Revenue. Currently, Russell is the Chief of Equal Opportunity.
April E. Schultheis joined the Office of Corporation Counsel in 2006. Schultheis received her J.D. from Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis in 2002, and her B.A. in International Studies from the University of Evansville in 1996. Prior to joining the Office of Corporation Counsel, Schultheis worked for the Indiana Public Access Counselor and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. As an Assistant City Prosecutor she is responsible for prosecuting violations of the City ordinances.
Jeffrey H. Sirmin joined the city in 1980 after working in private practice. Sirmin received his B.A. from Hanover College in 1971 and his J.D. from Indiana University-Indianapolis Law School in 1975. The Metropolitan Development Commission and the Department of Public Works are Sirmin's primary clients. Sirmin, who is Chief Counsel in the Counseling Section, concentrates in construction law and is also a certified mediator.
Christopher Steinmetz joined the Office of Corporation Counsel in 2008. He received his J.D. from Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis in 2002. Prior to joining the Office of Corporation, Chris was in private practice with the law firm of McClure McClure Davis & Henn, where his practice focused primarily in the areas of real estate law and insurance defense. As Assistant City Prosecutor, he is responsible for prosecuting violations of the City ordinances.
Marc Pe-Caine Sultzer
joined the Office of Corporation Counsel in 2007. Before joining the office, Marc practiced with the UAW Legal Services Plan in Indianapolis where he served as chief litigation attorney for the automobile property damages division. Marc received his J.D. from Indiana University School of Law-Bloomington in 1995. He is also a 1992 graduate of DePauw University and a co-founder of the Xi Rho Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi. Marc is also an ordained minister where he serves on the pastoral staff at Great Light Church & Christian Institute of the Arts. Marc serves as Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Litigation Section.
Lauren Renee Toppen joined the Office of Corporation Counsel in 2004. In 1999, Toppen graduated summa cum laude from Valparaiso University with a Bachelor of Arts. During college, Toppen spent a semester as a White House intern. In 2002, Toppen graduated magna cum laude from the Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis where she served as an Associate Editor on the Indiana Law Review. Prior to joining the Office of Corporation Counsel, Toppen served as a law clerk on the Indiana Court of Appeals. As Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Counseling Section, Toppen represents the Department of Public Works.
Alexander Will joined the Office of Corporation Counsel in March 2008. Alex earned his degree in English, cum laude, from Wabash College in 1999 and received his J.D., cum laude, from Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis in 2002. Prior to joining the Office of Corporation Counsel, Alex was a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Marion County, where he mostly recently worked with the Strategic Narcotics Prosecution Division. Alex serves as Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Litigation Section. He also serves as legal counsel to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.