Columbia City, IN

Samuel D. Ladowski

Samuel D. Ladowski has joined our firm as the associate in charge of the firm’s intake of new potential clients. Sam brings resolute critical thinking, responsible action, effective leadership and compassion while also drawing litigation experience at the trial and administrative levels from his time in private practice in Indianapolis and as a public servant in Fort Wayne working for the Department of Child Services and the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office. Sam’s diverse experience compliments his intuitive talent for seeing things from our clients’ perspectives and acting as a catalyst to reach a resolution efficiently and effectively. In his more focused practice, Sam enjoys working with clients to learn their estate planning goals and to advise on how those objectives can be achieved. Sam also enjoys advising clients through business and real estate transactions and general litigation, including personal injury, and finds fulfillment through collaborating with individuals and families when navigating the Medicaid process. While in law school at Indiana University-Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Sam interned at the Indiana Attorney General’s Office, in Northern District of Indiana - Judge Theresa L. Springmann’s Chambers, and Allen Circuit Court. Prior to law school, Sam graduated from Wabash College and served as a Public Health Educator with the United States Peace Corps in Madagascar, working at the community level with local counterparts in a rural health clinic run by the Ministry of Health. Sam is a member of the Indiana State, Allen County, and Whitley County Bar Associations. He is licensed to practice in Indiana, and the United States Northern and Southern District Courts.

Matthew R. Shipman

Matt is a 1990 graduate of Columbia City High School. He received his Bachelors Degree from Indiana University in 1994 and graduated from the Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis in 1998 where he was a member of the Indiana International & Comparative Law Review. Prior to joining Bloom Gates & Whiteleather, LLP, Matt practiced in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, Indiana as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands. In January of 2017, Matt became a partner with the firm, officially changing the name to Bloom Gates Shipman & Whiteleather, LLP. Matt concentrates his practice in real estate, litigation, corporate law, and represents multiple governmental entities and sewer districts throughout Northeast Indiana. Matt has litigated cases in both federal and state courts in Indiana, Ohio, and the Virgin Islands, defending and prosecuting cases for both large companies and individuals. Professional associations include memberships with the Whitley County Bar Association, the Indiana State Bar Association, and the Virgin Islands Bar Association. Matt is also licensed to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana, and the District of the Virgin Islands.

Nathan C. Lundy

Nathan grew up in Huntington and graduated from Huntington North High School in 2015. He first began working at the firm as a high school intern in 2014. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Butler University in 2018. In 2021, he received a Master of Arts, specializing in Public Theology, from Wesley Theological Seminary, in Washington, D.C. He received his law degree from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in December 2023. While in law school, Nathan participated in the Rural Justice Initiative, externing with the DeKalb County courts. Additionally, he was one of fourteen graduates to be awarded the Norman Lefstein Award of Excellence for contributing more than 200 hours of pro bono service while he was a law student. Professional associations include membership with the Whitley County Bar Association and the Indiana State Bar Association. Nathan is licensed to practice in the State of Indiana and before the U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana.

Timothy J. Bloom

A 1970 graduate of Columbia City Joint High School, Tim received his B.S. in Business from Indiana University in 1974 and his law degree from Indiana University, Indianapolis School of Law, in 1978. Since that time, Tim has been engaged in the general practice of law and is currently a partner in the firm of Bloom Gates Shipman & Whiteleather. His practice includes general business representation, civil matters, adoption, municipal law, elder law and estate planning and administration. Tim also served as Columbia City’s attorney from 1984 to 1997. He is a member of the Whitley County and Indiana Bar Associations. He is also a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Tim frequently authors material regarding estate administration and has also served as a faculty member for legal seminars dealing with this topic. With an extensive history of community involvement, Tim served as the president of the Old Settlers Day Association in 2001 and as president of the Whitley County Community Foundation Board of Directors from 1999 to 2001. He has also served as past president of the Rotary Club, as a member of the Whitley County Democrats Central Committee, a former member of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Huntington & Whitley County Board of Directors, and former chairman of the United Way Campaign leadership club and on the parish council at St. Paul of the Cross church.

Elizabeth Deckard

Elizabeth grew up in Columbia City and graduated from Columbia City High School in 2000. She graduated from Indiana University in 2004, and Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in 2009. Prior to joining Bloom Gates & Whiteleather, LLP, she served as a deputy prosecuting attorney for the Office of the Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney from 2009-2012. Since joining the firm in May 2012, Elizabeth has had an opportunity to practice in a variety of areas, including dissolutions, custody and parenting time, child support, adoptions, criminal defense, guardianships, wills and estates, real estate, and general litigation. In 2018, Elizabeth became a partner with Bloom Gates Shipman & Whiteleather, LLP. Elizabeth is a member of the Indiana Bar Association, Allen County Bar Association, and Whitley County Bar Association. She also volunteers with the Volunteer Lawyer Program of Northeast Indiana and serves on the board of BABE of Whitley County and Passages, Inc.

Delaney M. Mayer

Delaney grew up in Churubusco and graduated from Churubusco High School in 2018. She received her Bachelors Degree from Purdue University in 2021. While at Purdue she participated in an internship with Legal Aid of Tippecanoe County, serving the underrepresented population. She had the opportunity of moving to Charleston, South Carolina where she received her law degree from Charleston School of Law in May 2024. Delaney worked for the firm during her summer and winter breaks of law school. During her time in law school, Delaney participated in the Charleston County Probate Court Adult Guardianship Assistance and Monitoring Program pro bono and the Survivors Advocacy Society. General Practice: Allen County Resident and Noble County Native 2024 Graduate of Charleston School of Law Member of the Whitley County Bar Association and Indiana State Bar Association

John W. Whiteleather, Jr.

Bloom Gates Shipman & Whiteleather, LLP, is very proud and honored to announce that our very own John W. Whiteleather, Jr. will be the recipient of the 2019 Legendary Lawyer Award! John is a well deserving recipient of this award thanks to his public service, community involvement, and contributions to the legal profession in his more than 50 years as an Indiana attorney.