Attorney Jay Lauer has been practicing law in the state of Indiana for 40 years, but his love and passion for the law actually goes back further than that. Jay's journey into law began when he decided to go to school at Valparaiso in 1972. As an integral member of the track team, Jay worked hard to split his time between studying and running. As a political science major, his classes touched on both law and theology -- a combination that quickly ignited a passion and drive to help people in need. Upon graduation in 1975, Jay immediately decided to enter law school and was quickly accepted into the Valparaiso University School of Law. From there, Jay decided to forego any future as a track athlete so that he could focus all of his time and energy on studying the law. In just three short years, Jay was able to graduate with his Juris Doctorate while also passing the Indiana Bar -- all in the year of 1978. Through hard work and relentless dedication, Jay was also admitted to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District in the same year, providing him the opportunity to officially begin practicing law. Soon after, Jay caught the attention of the Legal Services of Northern Indiana where Jay would be brought on board to focus on family law. For 10 years Jay would work for the Legal Services of Northern Indiana, broadening his experience and knowledge to extend beyond family law and into the areas of personal injury and criminal defense. After over a decade of working with legal services, Jay decided it was time to strike out on his own so that he could focus his services on an area close to home -- the Michiana region. After careful consideration and planning, Jay founded his very own firm, Jay Lauer Attorney at Law, in South Bend, Indiana. With his own firm, Jay felt he could now focus on the areas of the law that are not only best suited to his strengths but areas that could also help make a difference in the Northern Indiana community. Since the firm opened its doors in 1988, Jay has helped countless clients deal with issues of personal injury, criminal defense, and family law. Focusing on these areas has allowed Jay to use the extensive knowledge gathered over the years to help clients through difficult situations when they often felt like they had nowhere else to turn. Through it all, Jay Lauer believes that every person, regardless of circumstance, has the right to have their case heard. If you or someone you love is facing a difficult legal issue in the Michiana region, we invite you to reach out to our firm to learn more about Jay Lauer's experience and commitment to making a difference in the South Bend community.

Brian Custy is no stranger to hard work, securing his first paying job in rural Colorado after 2nd grade working in grain elevators and maintaining physical jobs through college including drilling water wells, maintaining government wildlife property, and fencing acreage throughout the Rocky Mountains. He carried this work ethic through undergrad where he studied Civil Engineering while starting all 4 years on the varsity football team. Brian then attended law school where he earned scholarships based on his academic performance and graduated among the top 10 students in his law class. Following law school, Brian secured a position with a well-known Indiana and Illinois personal injury firm, where he was closely mentored and assisted the firm founder in obtaining a significant verdict in his first jury trial. Brian then accepted a position with Sidley Austin in Chicago, one of the largest and most prestigious international law firms in the world, where he represented major institutional clients including Wall Street investment banks. Desiring to be closer to his growing family and help people, Brian began representing one of Indiana’s most successful entrepreneurs and his business and personal interests before he founded Custy Law Firm. Brian was accepted to and attended the prestigious Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College in 2016. The Trial Lawyers College was established by legendary trial lawyer Gerry Spence to train attorneys who represent people and not insurance companies, the government or large corporations. He enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 boys, the outdoors, coaching his sons’ sports teams and working out. Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference. We’ve recently helped Clients obtain successful results in cases that other attorneys previously handled, referred over or brought us into including: - $550,000 recovered for client injured in car wreck in a case referred in by a local injury attorney; - $500,000 recovered for client hit by commercial motor vehicle after attorneys who filed the case quit and many others refused to get involved; and - $300,000 jury verdict for injured railroad worker after original union designated counsel quit the case. How did you build a successful practice? We provide the harmed with real, honest representation built on human interaction and trust. By always striving to adhere to these core principles, our Clients will be served well and our practice will benefit. What should clients look for in a lawyer? Clients should listen to their gut when selecting a lawyer to entrust with their case and lives. Clients come to us with difficult and life-changing problems that they did not create and have suffered financial losses and have often had valuable health and freedom to enjoy their lives taken from them.  Clients should ask themselves: Do I trust the lawyer? Does the lawyer listen to me? Can I communicate freely and openly with the lawyer? Does the lawyer care? If the answers to these questions are all “yes”, then the lawyer is likely one that will serve the Client’s best interests first and foremost.  Oftentimes, legal matters can take time to resolve, especially if a trial is needed to obtain a fair outcome. The strong Client and lawyer relationship is a close personal one. What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community? We focus on the Client and understanding the impact of the event at issue on the lives of them and their Family. By working to understand the true story of their situation, we are able to provide powerful and effective representation by sharing the truth with a jury or the other side.   What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? Helping people who cannot help themselves through trying situations is a reward in and of itself. We often come to know our clients as friends, we spend time with them and their Families. These relationships allow us to learn and effectively share the truth of their case with jurors, judges or insurance companies as if we were telling the story of a close family member who has been harmed. Gerry Spence teaches that we cannot ask a juror to do something we will not. If we do not care about our Client and what has happened to them, we cannot ask a juror to do so. What are your other interests in addition to law? I enjoy the outdoors, being physically active, and spending time with my wife, our 3 boys and our family dog “Bandit.” Are you involved in your community? I’m an active coach of my son’s pop warner and flag football teams and a board member of Our Greater Good which focuses its efforts on improving opportunities for disadvantaged youth and strengthening family relationships.