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.

Bruce began his professional career as a registered physical therapist. This experience helped form a unique perspective on how law relates to the practice of medicine and the lives of seriously injured people. While medical legal issues have been one focus of Bruce’s practice, he is equally familiar with negligence law and product liability. As Bruce owns and operates the firm’s private aircraft, he is particularly knowledgeable in aviation law. His tenacity in pursuing fair and equitable compensation for clients is evident in a variety of complex cases, including birth injuries, brain and spinal cord injuries, defective products, and airplane and helicopter crashes. Personally, Bruce has been a pilot for more than 25 years. He has flown a Piper Saratoga, Piper Seneca II and more recently a Cirrus SR22. Bruce’s piloting experience has been an invaluable resource for the firm’s airplane accident litigation practice helping clients who have suffered tremendous loss in both private and corporate aircraft related accidents. Over the last 25 years, Bruce has been able to combine his nationally recognized trial skills with his experience owning and operating private aircraft. Bruce has been honored with the 2001 Indiana Trial Lawyer of the Year award and induction into the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers. He also served as the president of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association through 2009. Bruce is currently a board member of the Whitewater Valley Pro Bono Commission. Both Bruce and his partner, Bill Winingham, have served as President of the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana Foundation and engaged in providing funding for brain injury research particularly focused on concussive injuries confronting our troops returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. In Bruce’s free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, boating, flying, and biking. Bruce also volunteers for Gleaner’s Food Bank and can oftentimes be heard on WFYI’s Public Radio Challenge grants throughout the year.

Timothy A. Rowe was born in Mansfield, Ohio. His father was a missionary in Africa and his uncle is a Lutheran minister. He graduated from the College of Emporia with a degree in Biblical Studies. He also attended the University of California Berkeley and Indiana University. He graduated with a B.A. with distinction in History and Classics from Indiana University and graduated cum laude from Indiana University School of Law, Indianapolis. He is also a graduate of Gary Spencer’s Trial College Seminars. He has been a partner in the law firm of Rowe and Hamilton for 38 years. His practice is currently concentrated in auto accident litigation, personal injury, nursing home litigation, environmental torts, civil rights, in premises liability.