Partners
Larry G. Evans
Larry G. Evans is a partner with the Valparaiso/Merrillville firm of Hoeppner, Wagner and Evans, practicing in the areas of complex commercial litigation and employment law. He has been named one of "The Best Lawyers in America," served as an Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy at Valparaiso University School of Law, President of the Indiana Bar Foundation and a Diplomat of the Indiana Defense Trial Counsel. He has also served as President of the Porter County Chapter of the American Inns of Court and as President of the Northwest Indiana Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. Member, Diversity Law Institute; Member, Trial Law Institute.
Areas of Practice
Labor and Employment Practice
Trial and Appellate Practice
Contact Larry
Email: LEvans@hwelaw.com
John E. Hughes
John Hughes has been a trial lawyer in state and federal courts for more than 45 years, focusing primarily on civil litigation and appeals representing plaintiffs and defendants. He is a Registered Civil Mediator with an active mediation practice. His extensive trial experience involves business and commercial litigation including prosecution and defense of injunction actions. He has extensive experience in insurance coverage and first party claim litigation, the defense of employment and discrimination matters, and municipal law. His trial practice includes serious personal injury and wrongful death actions including medical malpractice and railroad liability. Mr. Hughes has been an adjunct professor at the Valparaiso University School of Law.
Areas of Practice
Trial and Appellate Practice
Contact John
Email: JHughes@hwelaw.com
Phone: (219) 681-6430
F. Joseph Jaskowiak
Joe Jaskowiak concentrates his practice in complex business, commercial and employment litigation. In recent years, he has handled matters in the following areas:
• Business contract and tort claims
• Catastrophic injury and death cases
• Injunctions
• Franchise disputes
• Employment discrimination
• Strikes, picketing and labor injunctions
• Trade secret, non-competition and
• confidentiality litigation
• Labor contract negotiations and
• arbitrations
• Shareholder, partnership and LLC disputes
• Wage and hour actions
Areas of Practice
Trial and Appellate Practice
Labor and Employment Practice
Contact Joe
Email: JJaskowiak@hwelaw.com
Phone: (219) 681-6434
James L. Jorgensen
Jim Jorgensen practices in the areas of labor, employment, banking and business law. His representation of business clients ranges from small, closely-held business to American subsidiaries of foreign corporations. Mr. Jorgensen is a frequent lecturer to various business groups, publishes extensively in business journals, and was an adjunct professor at the Valparaiso University School of Law for over 20 years.
Areas of Practice
Business and Corporate Practice
Labor and Employment Practice
Contact Jim
Email: JJorgensen@hwelaw.com
Lauren K. Kroeger
Lauren Kroeger concentrates her practice in complex business, commercial and employment litigation. In recent years, she has handled matters in the following areas:
Business contract and tort claims
Injunctions
Franchise disputes
Employment discrimination
Strikes, picketing and labor injunctions
Trade secret, non-competition and confidentiality litigation
Wage and hour actions
In addition, she advises clients in a wide variety of employment-related matters. Prior to joining the firm, she practiced labor and employment law with Reed Smith in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Areas of Practice
Trial and Appellate Practice
Labor and Employment Practice
Contact Lauren
Email: LKroeger@hwelaw.com
Phone: (219) 682-2406
Kimberly P. Peil
Kimberly Peil concentrates her practice in all aspects of civil litigation with a focus on the defense of employment discrimination claims, retaliation claims, and complex business and commercial disputes. Ms. Peil has jury trial experience and represents businesses and individual clients in state, federal, and appellate courts, as well as administrative proceedings both in Indiana and Illinois. Ms. Peil has successfully defended employment discrimination claims, products liability claims, injury claims, property loss claims, and business contract claims. Ms. Peil also represents individuals who are injured in accidents or as the result of other negligent actions.
Ms. Peil’s love of competition extends to her social activities as well. While in college, she played Varsity Soccer. Recently she played Club Rugby and currently plays Club Soccer.
Areas of Practice
Trial and Appellate Practice
Labor and Employment Practice
Contact Kim
Email: KPeil@hwelaw.com
Phone: (219) 286-6004
Andrew T. Shupp
Andrew T. Shupp is a partner with the firm of Hoeppner Wagner & Evans LLP. After his graduation from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Andrew practiced insurance defense litigation in Northwest Indiana. Subsequently, Andrew joined Hoeppner Wagner & Evans LLP, practicing in the areas of civil litigation, commercial litigation, and employment law.
Areas of Practice
Civil Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Employment Law
Contact Andrew
Email: AShupp@hwelaw.com
Richard N. Shapiro
Richard N. Shapiro is Of Counsel with the firm of Hoeppner Wagner & Evans LLP. He received his B.A. from Wabash College in 1977, graduating Cum Laude. After graduating from Wabash, Mr. Shapiro worked in the Healthcare Industry for 13 years before attending law school. Mr. Shapiro graduated from Valparaiso University Law School in 1994 and has been practicing law ever since. Mr. Shapiro began his law career with a small boutique law firm in Munster in 1994 before eventually going out on his own in 2006. He has been a solo practitioner for the past 17 years. Currently Mr. Shapiro is the sitting Judge for the Town of Lowell, where he has served since 2021.
Mr. Shapiro focuses his practice on estate planning, probate administration, corporate law, and real estate law. He enjoys helping people and is not afraid of a challenge. He takes pride in solving problems that no one else can or will. His success as an attorney is due to his representing clients with dedication, commitment, care, and concern. His referral history is proof since most of his clients come from family, friends, and clients, both past and present.
When Rick finds time to decompress, he’s either playing golf or furthering his skills as the Grill Master. He may joke about a lot of things, but never his cooking.
Areas of Practice
· Estate Planning
· Probate Administration
· Corporate Law
· Real Estate Law
Contact Rick
Email: RShapiro@hwelaw.com
Alon Stein
Alon Stein is Of Counsel for the firm of Hoeppner Wagner & Evans LLP. He concentrates his practice in all aspects of civil litigation with a focus on commercial and business litigation. Mr. Stein has tried cases and argued appeals in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Arizona. He has presented oral arguments before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
When he is not in the courtroom or at the office, Alon likes to cook. His wife Nina and his two sons Ari and Oren claim to enjoy their meals. Travel and playing baseball with his sons, nieces and nephews are his other passions.
Areas of Practice
Commercial and Civil Litigation
Commercial litigation involving healthcare practices and nursing homes
Assistance to medical residents in negotiating separation agreements
Physician non-compete litigation
Contact Alon
Email: Alonsteinlaw@gmail.com