Business Details
38 Years
experience
Your Trusted Legal Partner in Northwest Indiana
Established in 1988 through the merger of two of Northwest Indiana's oldest law firms, Burke Costanza & Carberry has built a legacy of legal excellence rooted in community values. Our firm combines decades of experience with a forward-thinking approach to address the evolving needs of businesses and individuals across Indiana. Our attorneys are guided by principles of client commitment, community service, and legal excellence, ensuring personalized attention to both professional and personal client concerns.Recognized as a leader in Northwest Indiana's legal community, we provide comprehensive civil legal services while maintaining local counsel relationships for statewide and national matters. Our team consistently receives accolades as the region's top law firm, reflecting our dedication to value-added legal solutions and community leadership.
Services
Business Litigation
Employment Law
Immigration Services
Estate Planning
Commercial Services
Personal Services
Receivership Services
Civil Litigation
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Real Estate Law
Details
- Year established: 1988
Highlights and features
- We offer 35+ years of combined legal experience across multiple practice areas
- Our attorneys maintain active leadership roles in local bar associations
- We provide alternative fee arrangements tailored to client needs
- Our team includes former judges and certified mediators with specialized expertise
- We combine regional knowledge with statewide legal resources
Services
Business Litigation
Our business litigation team handles complex commercial disputes in state and federal courts. We represent clients in contract disputes, partnership conflicts, and business torts while emphasizing cost-effective resolution strategies. With experience in appellate advocacy and alternative dispute resolution, we help businesses protect their interests through negotiated settlements or aggressive courtroom representation.
Estate Planning
We create customized estate plans to protect assets and ensure client wishes are honored. Our services include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and tax planning strategies. We help clients minimize estate taxes, establish guardianship arrangements, and implement Medicaid planning solutions while maintaining compliance with evolving state and federal regulations.
Commercial Services
Our commercial services group specializes in debt collection and bankruptcy matters. We represent creditors in foreclosure proceedings, loan recovery, and commercial litigation while ensuring compliance with federal guidelines. The team handles medical, automotive, and student loan collections through pre-legal negotiations and court enforcement actions across Indiana.
Receivership Services
We provide court-appointed receivership solutions for distressed businesses and properties. Our attorneys manage asset preservation, financial oversight, and fraud investigations while maintaining neutrality in dispute resolution. With experience in real estate foreclosures and business insolvency cases, we ensure transparent reporting to courts and stakeholders throughout the receivership process.
Immigration Services
Our immigration practice handles family-based petitions, employment visas, and deportation defense cases. We assist clients with naturalization applications and government audit defense across Indiana and Illinois. The team provides representation in citizenship matters and complex immigration litigation while maintaining compliance with federal immigration regulations.
People
Terence M. Austgen
Attorney
Experienced litigator with focus on business disputes and employment law. Active in community legal education programs and bar association activities.
Bryan E. Bott
Attorney
Specializes in appellate advocacy and commercial litigation. Recognized for successful appeals in financial institution cases.
Schuyler D. Geller
Receivership Attorney
Leading expert in court-appointed receivership management with extensive experience in asset preservation and financial dispute resolution.
Kallee M. Sears
Attorney
Focuses on business law and estate planning. Active in community development initiatives and local governance matters.
Natalie Shrader
Attorney
Specializes in alternative dispute resolution and civil litigation. Serves as mediator in complex commercial and family law cases.
Questions
What practice areas do you specialize in?
We specialize in business law, litigation, estate planning, immigration, receivership services, and commercial collections across Indiana.
How long has the firm been operating?
Burke Costanza & Carberry has served clients since our 1988 merger of two established Northwest Indiana law firms.
Do you offer alternative dispute resolution?
Yes, we provide mediation and arbitration services for business, civil, and family law matters as court-approved ADR providers.
What locations do you serve?
We maintain offices in Merrillville, Valparaiso, and La Porte, Indiana, serving clients throughout the state.
Can you handle complex commercial litigation?
Our experienced litigation team manages complex commercial disputes including appellate advocacy and alternative fee arrangements.
