Greenfield, IN

Eric N. Allen

Eric N. Allen grew up in Munster, Indiana and graduated from Munster High School in 1970. After graduating from Purdue University in 1974, he attended Indiana University School of Law -- Indianapolis, and graduated in January 1978. Having taken and passed the Indiana Bar in October 1977; he was admitted on January 18, 1978. He immediately joined the Greenfield firm of Ging Free Brand Tosick & VanWinkle as an associate attorney, and he has practiced in the same location since that date. In 1980, Mr. Allen was asked to join the firm as a named partner and the firm became known as Free Brand Tosick & Allen. At that time the firm was primarily litigation oriented concentrating in Divorce, Personal injury and Criminal cases. Mr. Allen was instrumental in expanding the scope of the firm's offerings into a variety of other areas including Real Estate, Commercial Litigation and Bankruptcy, as well as expanding the geographical scope to the practice to numerous other communities throughout Central and Eastern Indiana. In 1988, following the retirement of Stephen Free, the firm was renamed Brand & Allen. Following the death of James L. Brand, the firm was renamed Allen Wellman Harvey Keyes Cooley, LLP. Mr. Allen is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association, the Indianapolis Bar Association, and the Hancock County Bar Association, where he served as Vice President in 1984 and President in 1985. He currently carries an AV Peer Review Rating with Martindale-Hubbell Law Digest and is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.

Dawn E. Wellman

Dawn Wellman was born in Valparaiso, Indiana and practiced law in Lake and Porter Counties at the firm of Cohen & Thiros, LLC now in Merrillville, Indiana from 1976 to 1987. While she was both an associate and a partner in that firm, she practiced in the areas of medical malpractice, personal injury, and criminal defense. In 1987, she joined Free, Brand, Tosick & Allen in Greenfield, Indiana and has remained at that firm ever since. She has taught many seminars in the area of family law and general litigation for the Indiana Bar Association and she has taught for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. She is a certified family law mediator and parenting coordinator. She practices in the areas of family law, personal injury and medical malpractice, but also handles civil rights violations and some employment law.

Kevin G. Harvey

Kevin G. Harvey joined Allen Wellman Harvey Keyes Cooley, LLP, in 1997, and has been a partner since 2003. Kevin has created estate plans for hundreds of clients, and he regularly assists families with business and farm ownership transition planning as well as elder law challenges. Kevin does a substantial amount of estate and trust administration work, and he represents many small to medium sized businesses - helping them with business law needs, contract development, and ownership transactions. Kevin also represents clients in civil lawsuits, including estate and trust litigation, business and contract disputes, construction matters, and personal injury. Kevin grew up in Nebraska (“Go Huskers!”). He graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, in 1991, where he majored in history. While at Augustana, Kevin was inducted into Phi Alpha Theta, National History Honorary Society, and he was the recipient of the O.F. Ander Outstanding History Student Award. Kevin graduated from Indiana University School of Law in 1994, where he was also the Executive Production Editor of the Indiana International & Comparative Law Review. Kevin was admitted to the Indiana Bar and the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana in 1994. Kevin is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association and the Hancock County Bar Association. Kevin has served as a member of several boards, including: the Board of School Trustees for the School Corporation of Southern Hancock County (2007 to 2010); the Board of Directors of the Hancock Hope House (2012 to 2017); and the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of Hancock County (2015-2023). Kevin is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Hancock Regional Hospital Foundation (since 2020, serving as Board Chair in 2022-23), and Giving Back Hope Together, Inc. (“GBHT”) (since 2022). Kevin and his wife, Jayme, reside in Greenfield, Indiana, and attend Mercy Road Church Northeast in Fortville. They have two children and are enjoying the experience of spoiling their three grandkids. In his free time, Kevin enjoys bicycling with Jayme, trying to tame the woods in their back yard, woodworking, and making stained glass. Kevin and Jayme’s daughter and her family are missionaries in Kenya, serving children and families in an informal settlement in Nairobi, through GBHT. Kevin and Jayme’s work with GBHT (www.gbht.org "Giving Back Hope Together")) has taken them to Africa several times, and they are passionate about participating in that ministry.

Thomas S. Bowman

Tom Bowman joined Allen Wellman Harvey Keyes Cooley, LLP, in June 2017, as an associate and became a partner in 2023. Previously, he worked in an insurance defense practice in northwest Indiana and then for three years at a general practice law firm in Logan, Utah, representing both individuals and businesses in various matters. Tom currently focuses his practice on plaintiff’s personal injury claims, business and contract disputes, general litigation, and estate planning. Originally from Shelbyville, Indiana, he graduated cum laude from Wabash College in 2009 with a major in history. While at Wabash, Tom was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) fraternity and studied abroad for a semester in Perugia, Italy. In 2012, he graduated cum laude from Valparaiso University School of Law. At Valpo, Tom earned honors grades in Federal Estate and Gift Taxation and Estate Planning. He also worked as a research assistant and served as a pro bono extern for Magistrate Judge Calabrese of the Starke County Circuit Court. Tom resides in Greenfield with his wife, Michelle, son, Logan, and their dog, Reggie. In his spare time, Tom enjoys watching sports (Go Dawgs!), traveling, and attempting to make meals he sees on cooking shows. He is a current board member of the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Rotary Club of Greenfield.

Jon A. Keyes

Jon A. Keyes has been an attorney at Allen Wellman Harvey Keyes Cooley, LLP, since 2005, and has been a partner since 2014. While he handles a wide array of litigation, Jon concentrates his practice in the areas of Criminal Defense, Family Law, and Social Security Disability. Jon’s practice is focused in central Indiana, but he regularly represents clients throughout the state. Jon earned his law degree from the Indiana University School of Law, graduating in 2005 in the top 15% of his class. During law school, Jon was an Associate Editor of the Indiana Law Review and clerked for the Honorable Judge Reuben Hill in Marion County Criminal Court 18. He is currently admitted to practice law in the State of Indiana and in federal court in both the Southern and Northern U.S. Districts. Jon was named as a Rising Star in Indiana Super Lawyers magazine on multiple occasions. Jon also represents clients in appellate litigation, where he enjoys the opportunity to clarify Indiana law. He has successfully represented clients in cases before both the Indiana Court of Appeals and the Indiana Supreme Court. Some of Jon's past successful appellate cases have involved juvenile rights, marijuana law, search and seizure, Miranda rights, and traffic law. Jon is also very involved in the Hancock County problem solving courts. He is the attorney appointed by the courts to represent all participants in both the Hancock County Drug Court and the Hancock County Behavioral Health Court. Through his work with those problem solving courts, Jon has become a strong advocate for those suffering from substance abuse and mental health issues. Jon resides in Hancock County with his wife, Jill, their two children, Jack and Abby. They attend Cross of Grace Lutheran Church in New Palestine.

Michael C. Cooley

Michael has been an attorney with Allen Wellman Harvey Keyes Cooley, LLP in Greenfield, Indiana, since 2006 and currently serves as the firm’s managing partner. He concentrates his practice in the areas of business and commercial law, and complex litigation in state and federal court. Michael regularly advises clients in the areas of business planning, contracts, employment law, prelitigation planning, dispute resolution and workouts. He also advises farmers in business and succession planning, and government regulation including disputes arising under the Food and Security Act of 1985. While Michael’s practice is focused in central Indiana, he regularly represents clients throughout the state and regionally. Michael has significant appellate practice experience, and regularly represents clients in appellate matters in both administrative and judicial reviews over a wide range of legal areas. He has briefed and argued cases as lead and sole counsel before the Indiana Court of Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and served as lead counsel on Petitions to Transfer to the Indiana Supreme Court. Michael successfully obtained reversal of a United States Department of Agriculture wetland determination before the Seventh Circuit in Boucher v. USDA, 934 F.3d 530 (7th Cir. 2019), an important decision addressing the requirements of a wetland under the Swampbuster provisions of the Food and Security Act. Michael also oversees the firm’s bankruptcy and insolvency work, representing debtors and creditors in cases and litigation arising under Chapter 7, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. Michael also represents debtors, financial institutions, and receivers in foreclosure and receivership cases arising under state law. Michael grew up in Rush County, Indiana, and obtained his undergraduate degree from Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana, and his law degree from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. He resides in the Meridian Kessler neighborhood of Indianapolis with his wife Michele, and their sons, Evan and Ryan.

James W. McNew

James Walker McNew was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on January 31, 1949. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with a double-major in Political Science and History. He then attended and graduated from the Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jim was admitted to the Indiana State Bar in 1976. From 1976 through 1979, Jim was a Deputy Prosecutor in the Major Felony Division of the Marion County, Indiana, Prosecutor’s Office. In 1981, Jim became the Trial Supervisor with the Lake County, Indiana, Prosecutor’s Office, where he worked until 1989. In 1989, Jim moved to Greenfield, Indiana, and joined the firm of Brand & Allen as a criminal defense attorney. In 1999, the firm was renamed Allen Wellman McNew, and then in 2014 changed to Allen Wellman Harvey Keyes Cooley, LLP. Jim practiced law as a partner of the firm until his death. Jim passed away peacefully on December 7, 2018, following a battle with cancer. Jim was a champion of criminal justice rights and a firm believer in the rule of law. As a young deputy prosecutor, Jim was the lead trial attorney in the successful prosecution of Paula Cooper, who at age 16 was convicted of the murder of an elderly woman in her home. The case received international attention when the Lake County Prosecutor decided to seek the death penalty, which was an option under Indiana law at the time. Jim also represented the State in the death penalty phase of the case, and Paula was sentenced to death. Paula Cooper’s death sentence was reversed by the Indiana Supreme Court. The Court held that Indiana’s death penalty statute, without a minimum age, was unconstitutional. Cooper v. State, 540 N.E.2d 1216 (Ind. 1989). The case thus became the change-point in protecting minors from the death penalty in Indiana. Although Jim did not personally believe, at the time, that minors who committed murder should be subject to the death penalty, Jim accepted his role to represent the State of Indiana based upon the status of the law as it applied to that case. The Paul Cooper case exemplified Jim’s respect for the law as it applied to his cases. After moving into private practice as a defense attorney, Jim worked diligently to see to it that his clients received a proper and effective defense - regardless of the extent to which their financial resources would provide for such representation. Jim also pursued changes in the law through the appellate process when the opportunity arose to do so. Jim appealed the case of Danielle Kelly v. State of Indiana, 997 N.E.2d 1045 (Ind. 2013) to the Indiana Supreme Court, where he presented oral argument on behalf of his client. As a result of that case, the Indiana Supreme Court provided clarification on the matter of a person’s Miranda warning rights. The decision strengthens protection of the constitutional rights of Indiana citizens in the context of an arrest. Jim’s other appellate work resulted in the following decisions: State v. Lime, 619 N.E.2d 601 (Ind.Ct.App. 1993) Dickson v. State, 624 N.E.2d 472 (Ind.Ct.App. 1993) Kinsey v. Kinsey, 640 N.E.2d 42 (Ind. 1994) Wilson v. State, 847 N.E.2d 1064 (Ind.Ct. App. 2006) McNelly v. State, 20 N.E.3d 224 (Ind.Ct.App. 2014) Jim also gave back to and supported law enforcement in Hancock County. At the time of his death, Jim was a member of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Merit Board, serving on the Board since 2014. Jim also assisted the local judiciary, serving as judge pro tem in all of Hancock County’s courts on a regular basis. Jim was recognized within our firm and in the Hancock County Bar as a mentor for young attorneys learning the practice of criminal defense. Several attorneys in our firm have benefited greatly from his teaching. He was a highly respected member of the Hancock County Bar Association. In June, 2018, the Hancock County Bar Association recognized Jim’s skills as a trial attorney by presenting him with the James L. Brand Trial Advocate Award. Jim was a wonderful person and law partner. He had a keen intellect, and a commanding presence in the court room. He leaves our firm with a remarkable legacy.