A Full Spectrum of Advocacy
Practice Areas
Lee & Zalas has been proud to represent individuals, businesses, and municipal clients across Northern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan for more than 40 years. Based in South Bend, Indiana, our attorneys offer a broad range of experience in multiple areas of law. We believe in handling each case and client with care and an individualized approach to achieve the best possible results.
Whether you are searching for a divorce attorney, need professional representation for a commercial dispute, or are involved in another legal matter, we will confidently advocate for your interests and take your case to trial if necessary.
Personal Injury
Lee & Zalas works with individuals and businesses in personal injury cases. We take a broad view of your situation and construct a plan to resolve the conflict in court. Whether you are an injured plaintiff or an insurance company defendant, we take the same approach — you have a problem, and we help you find a solution.
Compensation for Accident Injuries
When you have been seriously injured due to someone else’s negligence, Lee & Zalas can help to develop an appropriate legal strategy to defend your case. A trial is often your best option for recovering damages when you have injuries caused by:
- Auto accidents
- Slip and fall
- Defective products
Insurance Company Defense
Lee & Zalas has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in personal injury trials. Our firm is familiar with the approaches taken by plaintiffs seeking compensation and our lawyers know how to minimize excessive claims and defeat invalid claims.
Medical Malpractice
Our attorneys are adept at litigating medical malpractice claims. You can put your trust in our firm’s sophisticated approach to difficult medical claims such as:
- Failure to diagnose
- Incorrect treatment
- Wrongful death
Commercial Litigation
The lawyers at Lee & Zalas have a thorough understanding of the state and federal laws that govern the commercial arena, and know how to make the system work to the best advantage of your business. We view your commercial issue from all sides and provide practical strategies to arrive at an elegant solution.
Internal Corporate Conflict
Lee & Zalas handles various internal business disputes, including:
- Partnership disputes
- Corporate management disputes
- Shareholder actions
- Business dissolutions
Employment Disputes
Our firm handles typical employment problems such as:
- Wage and hour complaints
- Non-compete agreements
- Discrimination
Lawsuits Between Businesses
Lee & Zalas has experience with business-to-business conflicts and commercial lawsuits including:
- Breach of contract
- Tortious interference
- Franchise disputes
- Real estate conflicts
Consumer Disputes
Whether your company is the plaintiff or the defendant in a consumer conflict, our firm handles issues such as:
- Breach of fiduciary duty
- Consumer fraud
- Debt collection
Federal Litigation
Two of our firm’s attorneys are licensed to practice in federal court. They have the required experience to help your business handle controversies including:
- Civil RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization) actions
- Antitrust and trade actions
- Securities violations
Family Law
The divorce attorneys at Lee & Zalas have the experience to step back from the emotional factors of a divorce and help you see the big picture. Our firm conducts divorce mediation and litigation, as the situation may require.
Distribution of Property
Indiana divorce law instructs the family courts to presume that marital property should be divided equally. However, the law allows the court to hear evidence to the contrary, with considerations including each spouse’s:
- Contribution to the acquisition of the property
- Economic circumstances at the time of the divorce action
- Conduct with regard to the disposition or dissipation of the property during the marriage
- Anticipated future earning capacity
Lee & Zalas presents persuasive arguments in court to help ensure that you receive a fair and equitable share of the marital property.
Alimony
The legal term for alimony in Indiana is maintenance. The court may order alimony to be paid indefinitely if a spouse:
- Cannot work due to mental or physical incapacity
- Has insufficient property, including the allotment from the division of marital assets
- Must forgo employment to care for a disabled child
Alimony is limited to three years if the reason for the order is based on the spouse’s:
- Insufficient education
- Reduced educational opportunities during and due to the marriage
- Lesser earning capacity
- Need for occupational training
Lee & Zalas presents clear and compelling arguments to help achieve an alimony scenario that is acceptable to you.
Child Custody
The court has broad discretion in the determination of child custody. The judge considers factors including, but not limited to:
- The age and sex of the child
- The wishes of both parents and the child
- The child’s relationship with you, the other parent, siblings, and others
- The child’s adjustment to home, school, and community
Lee & Zalas provides the judge with specific information to clarify these highly subjective criteria and help get you the custody arrangement that is in your child’s best interests.
Child Support
Indiana provides child support guidelines to determine the monthly payment that is usually paid by the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent. However, the amount may be contested in court. Lee & Zalas shows the judge every relevant detail that may positively impact your child support position.
Municipal Law
Lee & Zalas is well known in northern Indiana for its skilled representation of municipal entities. Our firm defends lawsuits ranging from construction defect claims to civil rights complaints.
Defense of Municipalities
Indiana towns and counties are often recipients of lawsuits brought by individuals and businesses. Complaints against municipalities involve issues such as:
- Denial of applications for permits and licenses
- Rejection of construction bids
- Slip and fall injuries on public property
Many towns and counties are inclined to settle lawsuits quickly, spending taxpayer resources unnecessarily. However, your municipality can fight claims at trial with the help of the skilled lawyers at Lee & Zalas.
Law Enforcement Defense
Police departments and sheriff’s offices are uniquely vulnerable to accusations of mistreatment. People in custody may allege:
- Brutality
- Sexual abuse
- Civil rights violations
Lee & Zalas has successfully represented various law enforcement departments at trial, protecting their public reputations and preserving their professional relationships with the towns and counties.
Disputes with Public Utilities
Utility companies are routinely subject to lawsuits. Our firm defends lawsuits against:
- Electricity providers
- Natural gas suppliers
- Water companies
The experienced trial attorneys at Lee & Zalas contest claims against utility companies, striving to mitigate their liability.
For a law firm with broad experience at trial, contact Lee & Zalas today!
Lee & Zalas
54391 N 30th St
South Bend, IN 46635
Contact Us
Phone: 574-232-5923
Email: team@leeandzalas.com
Business Hours
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
