Shelbyville, IN

M. Michael Stephenson

Attorney Mike Stephenson has 40 years of experience and is a trusted advisor to many individuals and companies. His current practice is dominated by civil litigation in state and federal courts. He focuses much of his time on handling catastrophic injuries caused by all types of accidents, including car wrecks, semi, industrial, product liability, and fire, just to name a few. He also works extensively in construction-related matters. Mike is a proven advocate and trial attorney. He has served as lead trial counsel in more than 100 civil jury trials, and has handled litigation in 18 states.

M. Michael Stephenson

Attorney Mike Stephenson has 40 years of experience and is a trusted advisor to many individuals and companies. His current practice is dominated by civil litigation in state and federal courts. He focuses much of his time on handling catastrophic injuries caused by all types of accidents, including car wrecks, semi, industrial, product liability, and fire, just to name a few. He also works extensively in construction-related matters. Mike believes that a thorough and detailed investigation is required to determine all passible legal theories which may be available to fully protect the client’s interests and to identify the total extent of the damages. He recognizes that a thorough analysis often requires hiring expert witnesses in all types of fields, including medical, visibility, engineering, reconstruction, and wood science. He has retained expert witnesses from around the world, including a gentleman who obtained the first patent for a specific tool when the product design and function was at issue. He has also retained an expert witness from Europe when the design of another product was in question. Mike is a proven advocate and trial attorney. He has served as lead trial counsel in more than 100 civil jury trials, and has handled litigation in 18 states. He uses the most advanced technology available to most effectively demonstrate and aid in the presentation of his client’s position. The firm uses state-of-the-art software to integrate sound, still photos, and moving images to illustrate to juries critical information that words cannot accurately describe. Mike has worked extensively with High Impact Litigation, Inc. and other similar companies to provide detailed animations to demonstrate and allow a jury to visualize evidence.

Brady J. Rife

Brady Rife has developed a diverse civil litigation practice for plaintiffs throughout Indiana. Brady is heavily involved in serious personal injury matters, complex business and commercial disputes, and insurance litigation in state and federal courts. Brady has successfully tried several jury trials and bench trials as lead counsel and has also briefed multiple cases before the Indiana Court of Appeals. Although many litigated cases are resolved through negotiation and settlement between the parties, Brady takes case preparation seriously and prepares each case as though it may be tried in court. From a diligent and thorough investigation to hiring knowledgeable and experienced experts, Brady works to present the best case he can for his clients. Some of the firm’s most successful cases include winning a $48 million settlement against a large corporation in a fatal vehicle crash in New Mexico and a $14 million dollar settlement against a national trucking company in Illinois. The firm handles cases across the United States. Brady is a graduate of Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, and Indiana University Law School in Indianapolis. While attending law school at night, Brady clerked full-time for the firm where he was immediately submerged into civil litigation. Currently, Brady has spent 20 years with Stephenson Rife.

Brady J. Rife

Brady Rife has developed a diverse civil litigation practice for plaintiffs throughout Indiana. Brady is heavily involved in serious personal injury matters, complex business and commercial disputes, and insurance litigation in state and federal courts. Brady has successfully tried several jury trials and bench trials as lead counsel and has also briefed multiple cases before the Indiana Court of Appeals. Although many litigated cases are resolved through negotiation and settlement between the parties, Brady takes case preparation seriously and prepares each case as though it may be tried in court. From a diligent and thorough investigation to hiring knowledgeable and experienced experts, Brady works to present the best case he can for his clients. Some of the firm’s most successful cases include winning a $48 million settlement against a large corporation in a fatal vehicle crash in New Mexico and a $14 million dollar settlement against a national trucking company in Illinois. The firm handles cases across the United States. Brady is a graduate of Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, and Indiana University Law School in Indianapolis. While attending law school at night, Brady clerked full-time for the firm where he was immediately submerged into civil litigation. Currently, Brady has spent 20 years with Stephenson Rife. Born and raised in Shelby County, Brady has a deep commitment to the community. He serves on the board of the Shelby County United Fund for You (SCUFFY) , is a board member for Rush Shelby Energy Round Up Fund, and is active with St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. He also enjoys coaching baseball and basketball.

Paul Belch

Paul is an associate with Stephenson Rife and he concentrates his practice in the area of personal injury civil litigation. He is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Indiana. Paul leverages his 25 years of work as a defense counsel and working for an insurance company to help injured individuals make the best recovery in personal injury cases. He knows how to position cases for insurance companies to maximize settlement. If a case does not settle, Paul is very experienced in the court room. Paul has tried nearly 40 jury trials and countless bench trials through out Indiana in both state and federal court. Paul has particularly broad experience in the federal court system.

Paul Belch

Paul is an associate with Stephenson Rife and he concentrates his practice in the area of personal injury civil litigation. He is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Indiana. A native of the southside of Indianapolis, Paul graduated from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis in 1995. He graduated from Indiana University in 1992 with a B.A. in History, receiving Phi Beta Kappa honors. Prior to joining Stephenson Rife, Paul spent many years defending personal injury cases for the Indiana Attorney General, the City of Indianapolis, where he served as Chief Litigation Counsel, and as a senior counsel for a staff counsel program with a major casualty insurance company. During his defense career, Paul represented trucking companies, manufacturers of products, construction companies and governmental entities. Paul leverages his 25 years of work as a defense counsel and working for an insurance company to help injured individuals make the best recovery in personal injury cases. He knows how to position cases for insurance companies to maximize settlement. If a case does not settle, Paul is very experienced in the court room. Paul has tried nearly 40 jury trials and countless bench trials through out Indiana in both state and federal court. Paul has particularly broad experience in the federal court system. Away from the firm, Paul enjoys all sports and is often found watching one of his three kids playing soccer, golf, or performing theatre.

Dennis E. Harrold

Dennis (Denny) Harrold has been in practice for over 45 years in a variety of specialties. While the majority of his practice has been in litigation, his trial experience has included both criminal and civil litigation. Currently, he restricts his trial practice to civil litigation in state and federal courts. Denny has devoted a significant portion of his practice to school and education law representing numerous school corporations as well as representing teachers, parents, and students. Denny also provides his clients with skilled representation in which probate and estate matters as well as forming business organizations. He also practices as a registered civil mediator. Denny has also established himself as a focused advocate for both individuals and businesses in the areas of land use and zoning matters.