Mr. Tom Franklin Hirschauer III | Partner

When you are looking for an Indiana criminal defense attorney for OWI/DUI or other matters, a Title IX lawyer to represent your interests, or a trustworthy family attorney in Indianapolis or elsewhere in Indiana, you need someone who combines skill and knowledge with being capable, visible, and available. That definition precisely describes Tom F. Hirschauer III and why clients know they’re in capable hands with him at the helm. Having spent years honing his trial, litigation, and negotiation skills—and surrounding himself with colleagues who have done the same—Tom Hirschauer is a leading Indiana criminal defense attorney, Title IX lawyer, and family law practitioner serving clients throughout the state from Keffer Hirschauer LLP’s downtown Indianapolis office.

A third-generation Indiana attorney, Tom grew up in the Indianapolis area, exposed daily to the practice of law and its significance in the lives of clients and society as a whole. The lawyers in his family instilled in him respect for the US Constitution and the rights it guarantees and impressed upon him the honor in defending those rights.

To continue the family tradition, Tom earned his bachelor of science at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He then received his formal legal education and law degree from Ave Maria School of Law in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a school that instills in its students commitment to professional development, community engagement, and public service. Tom has carried those traditions and standards into his practice as an Indiana criminal defense attorney, Title IX lawyer, and family attorney in Indianapolis.

Upon his admission to practice law in Indiana, Tom joined the Misdemeanor and D Felony Division of the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) as a deputy prosecutor. After developing his litigation skills and finding success in that division, he moved to the Fatal Alcohol Crash Team (FACT), becoming its leader. As a result of his abilities in successfully litigating serious bodily injury and fatal crash DUI cases, he was prosecuting every serious injury and fatality case in Indianapolis. This experience now informs his work as an Indianapolis DUI defense lawyer, providing insight into how the prosecution approaches, investigates, and prosecutes OWI (or DUI) cases in Indiana.

Next, Tom took a supervisory position over the MCPO’s Civil Asset Forfeiture Division, where he oversaw every civil asset forfeiture case in the city and personally handled many high asset forfeiture cases. This experience makes Tom Hirschauer highly sought-after for protecting client rights in civil asset forfeiture cases. His in-depth understanding of federal and state civil asset forfeiture laws and proceedings and insights gained from first-hand experience with how the MCPO and federal authorities prosecute these cases render him the strong choice for defending and litigating individual property rights.

In early 2015, Tom made a move to Keffer Hirschauer LLP to apply the skills he developed over his years in the MCPO. A partner at the firm, he continues the fight to uphold the Constitution and for client rights in multiple practice areas.

Tom’s passion for divorce, child custody, and family law matters comes from personal experience, making him a highly relatable Indiana family law attorney. Divorce and post-divorce matters can be contentious and highly emotional and involve complex and diverse matters. Effective family law attorneys possess a wide range of skills, from understanding child custody matters to dissecting complex marital estate and business valuations and tax matters, and can develop and employ effective legal strategies while manage the emotional component of sensitive matters.

Tom Hirschauer is deeply invested in every case he takes as a family attorney in Indianapolis and throughout the state, and he finds great joy in assisting parents in custody matters and fostering the relationships they build with their children during and after divorce proceedings.

In addition to his work as an Indiana criminal defense attorney and family lawyer, Tom Hirschauer is also a certified ATIXA Title IX administrator and investigator. These credentials inform his work as a Title IX Advisor, a role in which he guides universities, schools, and parties to Title IX actions through the proceedings. Although Title IX cases are civil, not criminal, and do not include formal court proceedings, the consequences of a violation can have serious implications for named respondents, impacting their employment and career, and can even lead to criminal charges. With experience at all phases—from investigation through appeal—Tom Hirschauer is one of the few ATIXA-trained attorneys in Indiana with experience in this area representing those accused in Title IX matters.

Changes to Title IX regulations in 2020 were intended to improve protections for those accused of Title IX violations. Whether chosen by the parties or appointed by the school or university, Title IX advisors help ensure compliance with the federal regulations and the institution’s Title IX policies and procedures. Advisors also serve as a vital resource and provide oversight and guidance at the investigative, post-investigative, pre-hearing, hearing, post-hearing, and appellate stages of a Title IX case. Having completed multiple ATIXA trainings and maintaining an understanding of each institution’s unique policies, Tom comes highly recommended as an Indiana Title IX lawyer.

Clients who hire Tom Hirschauer gain from his extensive experience litigating more than 40 jury trials and 500 bench trials in courts across Indiana. But they also get the added benefit of his strong drive to protect and do right by his clients. He has earned the respect of fellow attorneys and judges throughout the state for his commitment to his clients and impressive litigation skills, having conducted trainings for other attorneys in traffic law, trial practice, DUI advanced trial skills, and civil asset forfeitures. In addition, clients greatly appreciate his forthrightness and commitment to helping them understand the law and legal strategy and answering their questions in a timely manner.

Outside of the office, Tom is active in multiple professional organizations, such as the Indianapolis Bar Association, where he is in the Family Law Section. He continues his professional development through participation in practice-area-specific organizations such as the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National College for DUI Defense, the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, and the Thomas More Society.

When Tom is not assisting clients or working on professional development, he enjoys spending time with his son, listening to music, creative cooking, and serving his family meals learned from his grandmother. To learn more about Indiana criminal defense attorney, Title IX, and family law attorney Tom F. Hirschauer III and reap the benefits of his experience and legal prowess.