Joe has a long history with Bunger & Robertson. He came to B&R as a clerk during law school and worked his way up, becoming a partner in 1983. His practice has spanned the state of Indiana, and he has represented individual, insurance company and business clients throughout the state and in federal courts. Joe was recently recognized by his peers for his career achievements, particularly his litigation skills and trial results and was inducted into the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers.
Joe believes firmly that many disputes can be resolved without going to trial, simplifying the process for all parties involved. As such, for many years he has devoted a considerable amount of time to mediation and ADR, helping both sides to reach satisfactory solutions to their disputes. For the past ten years he has served as an adjunct faculty member of the Indiana University Maurer School of Law where he teaches mediation. Joe was named Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year in 2013. More recently, Joe was selected as an Academy of Law Alumni Fellow in 2016 by the I.U. Maurer School of Law, recognizing his professional achievements and his long-time service to the legal profession.
One of Joe’s greatest passions is helping his fellow attorneys best serve their clients by promoting the rule of law. As a part of this mission, Joe has been elected by his peers to top positions of leadership in the Indiana State and American Bar Associations. He served as President and in various other leadership positions in the Indiana State Bar. He was also elected to the ABA Board of Governors, served on its Executive Committee and was a long-time member of its House of Delegates. His additional ABA involvements include service as Chair of the Commission on Law and Aging, and he has been a member of the Council of the Fund for Justice and Education, Standing Committee on Strategic Communications, General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division Council, Standing Committee on Membership, chaired the Standing Committee on Meetings and Travel and participated on other committees. He has served on the board of the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum as its Vice President and President. He is a Life Fellow of the Indiana Bar Foundation and of the American Bar Foundation. Joe has also been a regular lecturer at continuing education seminars on trial tactics, mediation and ethics, as he strives to help other legal professionals achieve their best level of service.
In an additional effort to serve the members of the profession Joe is currently serving on the National Board of Directors of the American Bar Association Retirement Funds.
Joe’s personal feelings about service align very closely with the firm’s, and he acts as a devoted and active member of the Bloomington community. He has spent eight years as Chair of the Monroe County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. He also has been involved in United Way, Leadership Bloomington, the Indiana Equal Justice Fund, the Monroe County Community Corrections Task Force, Bloomington Hospital Advisory Board, the Board of Bloomington Country Club, and other community organizations. He is also a Director of the Western Golf Association/Evans Scholars Foundation.
Joe also has the distinct honor of being rated “AV” by Martindale Hubble for 25 years – its highest rating – and has been elected by his peers as a Super Lawyer every year since such a designation was established. He has also been the recipient of a number of Best Lawyer awards.
Interested in scheduling time for mediation with Joe? Book an appointment on our mediation calendar.
Memberships
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- Monroe County Bar Association
- Indiana State Bar Association
- President, 1994-95
- President-Elect, 1993-94
- Vice President, 1992-93
- Secretary, 1990-91
- Treasurer, 1987-88
- Chair, Young Lawyers’ Section, 1986-87
- American Bar Association
- Board of Governors, 1998-2001
- House of Delegates, 1986-2006, 2008-2018
- State Delegate, 2009-2018
- FJE Council, 2012-2015
- Standing Committee on Membership 2009-2012
- Chair, Commission on Law & Aging, 2006-2009
- Litigation Section
- Dispute Resolution Section
Education
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- Purdue University, B.S., 1975
- Indiana University School of Law, J.D., 1978, cum laude
Bar Admissions
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- Indiana and US District Court, Southern District of Indiana, 1978
- US District Court, Northern District of Indiana, 1986
- US Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 1989