Lewis Wagner is thrilled to announce that Hewitt Law & Mediation has merged into the firm and its growing probate and commercial litigation practices.
Brian Hewitt, along with attorneys Michele Lorbieski, Christopher Mueller, and Collin Mockbee, will join Lewis Wagner, bringing a combined 68 years of experience in estate planning, probate litigation, and commercial law.
“The additional expertise will allow our probate practice to serve Lewis Wagner’s growing client base and continue providing guidance through the complex estate planning process,” said Lewis Wagner Managing Partner Rich Blaiklock. “With such vast knowledge and legal expertise across many facets of estate planning, mediation, and litigation, we are thrilled to welcome the Hewitt attorneys and excited to position Lewis Wagner as a probate practice leader in Indiana.”
Hewitt is a leading figure in probate litigation in Indiana. He has represented financial institutions and other fiduciaries in some of the state’s most high-profile cases, including the estates of Indianapolis Colts owner Robert Irsay and commercial property mogul Melvin Simon.
Hewitt has also established himself as one of the most sought-after mediators, having settled more than 1,000 estate, trust, and guardianship cases, and has been named to the distinguished list of Indiana Super Lawyers every year since 2009. Hewitt will join an already successful mediation practice group at Lewis Wagner, chaired by John Trimble.
“I’ve been fortunate to know Brian for more than 40 years, having worked on both the same and opposite sides of cases, and even mediating cases for one another through the years,” said Jerry Hammond, senior counsel at Lewis Wagner. “In mediation, if there is a mountain to climb, Brian is willing to climb it to settle the case. As an advocate, he embraces the opportunity to help his clients, and it is exciting to have Brian and his team add their expertise and stellar reputation to our growing probate and mediation practices.”
Hewitt and his team also collectively share Lewis Wagner’s commitment to enhancing and supporting the local legal field and the Central Indiana community—lending their expertise, insight, and time in both educational and professional settings.
“Bringing our firms together will provide greater opportunities and enhanced support for our clients, our community, and the industry,” said Hewitt. “Through the years, our team has built a relentless, efficient, and thorough probate litigation practice—with unmatched expertise and dedication to supporting our field. We are honored to merge those talents with the likeminded team of decorated and distinguished attorneys at Lewis Wagner.”
Attorney Kevin Alerding also recently joined Lewis Wagner’s estate planning and administration practice group. Alerding brings 20 years of experience in estate planning, business exit planning, and estate and trust administration to Lewis Wagner.
These new attorneys join Hammond and partner Molly Lee—significantly expanding the firm’s probate litigation practice group and its service capabilities throughout Indiana.
Uniquely situated as one of the few remaining Indiana-based law firms, Lewis Wagner was founded in 1955 and has been headquartered in Indianapolis ever since, with a recent move to Box Factory in 2021. With the addition of these 5 skilled practitioners and other recent growth in its real estate practice, the firm now has 44 attorneys who provide services in the areas of litigation, alternative dispute resolution, business and corporate services, real estate, and personal services.
