Born in LaPorte, Indiana, Mr. Smith came to Lake County to join the Prosecutor´s office in the Felony Division, as a Trial Deputy upon graduation for Indiana University in 1968. Mr. Smith is admitted to practice law in both Indiana and Illinois, and is also admitted to both the Northern and Southern United States District Courts in Indiana, The Northern District Court of Illinois and its Trial Bar as will as the United States Supreme Court.

Mr. Smith limits his practice to litigation and is board certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Mr. Smith has been recognized as one of Indiana´s leading trial lawyers, and is the only lawyer to have been named both National and Indiana Trial Lawyer of the Year. In 1990, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, TLPJ Foundation, named him Trial Lawyer of the Year. In 1988, Mr. Smith was selected Trial Lawyer of the year by the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, and re-nominated in 1999 for that same honor.

The Indiana Supreme Court appointed Mr. Smith to its Rules and Procedure Committee in 1992 where he severed two terms. In 1999, the lawyers in the northern district of Indiana elected him to the Indiana Judicial Nomination Commission and the Commission of Judicial Qualifications. This Commission selects the judges for the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals of Indiana. Mr. Smith was one of the founding directors of the Indiana Lawyers Commission sponsored by the Eli Lilly Foundation that was charged with redrafting the Indiana Criminal Code.

Mr. Smith has authored the Indiana Trial Handbook, 2^nd Edition published in 1993 by West Publication Company. This book is found on almost every judge´s desk in Indiana. In addition, Mr. Smith has authored the Appellate Handbook for Indiana Lawyers, published in 1987 by Lawyers Co-operative Publication Company and Trial Handbook for Indiana Lawyers published in 1882 by Lawyers Co-operative Publication Company. Mr. Smith has written more than 20 annual supplements to these publications. Mr. Smith´s publications include articles published in the Valparaiso University Law School, Law Review. Mr. Smith has also served on the faculty of numerous legal institutes lecturing on all areas of trial practice which have been sponsored by the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, Indiana State Bar Association, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum and others. Mr. Smith has been a guest lecturer at Indiana University and Valparaiso University Law Schools.

Mr. Smith is the past President (1995-96) of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and is currently on its board of Directors. Mr. Smith was elected Chairman of the Litigation Section of the Indians State Bar Association, and has served on numerous committees of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Mr. Smith is active in the local bar associations, and is a Fellow of the Indiana College of Trial Lawyers, Indianapolis.

In 1996, Governor Evan Bayh awarded Mr. Smith a "Sagamore of the Wabash." This award is Indiana's highest civilian award given to those who have rendered a distinguished service to the State.

Mr. Smith is listed in Martindale-Habbell, Inc, Bar register of Preeminent Lawyers in General and Civil Practice, with Martindale-Habbell´s highest legal ability rating of "AV". Mr. Smith is also listed in Who´s Who in America and Who´s Who in American Law.

 

Born in Gary, Indiana, Mr. DeBonis attended Purdue University where he graduated with distinction in 1972, Phi Beta Kappa, and Syracuse University, where he earned his Master of Arts Degree. Mr. DeBonis received his J.D. Cum Laude from DePaul University College of Law in 1977. Mr. DeBonis is licensed to practice law both in Indiana and Illinois, and is actively engaged in the areas of civil litigation, governmental law and medical-legal matters.

Mr. DeBonis was named National Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Association of Trial Lawyers of America [TLPJ Foundation]. He has co-authored the Appellate Handbook for Indiana Lawyers, published by Lawyers Cooperative Publishing Company in 1987, including several yearly supplements to that book, and served as contributing editor of the Trial Handbook for Indiana Lawyers. Mr. DeBonis has served on the faculty of Indiana University, the faculty of seminars by the Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, as well as several institutes in the fields of health law, hospital law and litigation.

He is a former director of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and former Chairman of the Litigation Section of the Indiana State Bar Association (1992-93). Mr. DeBonis is a Fellow of the Indiana State Bar Association, President of the East Chicago Bar Association, and a former officer and director of the Northwest Indiana Symphony Society, Inc.

In 1985, Ms. Phillips graduated with honors from Roosevelt University Lawyer's Assistant Program. Ms. Phillips also attended DePaul University and obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1991. Ms. Phillips is a graduate of Valparaiso University School of Law.

Mr. Raymond is a graduate of Roosevelt University College of Continuing Education in the Lawyer's Assistants Program. Mr. Raymond assists the attorneys at the firm of Smith & DeBonis in a variety of tasks, including preparation of discovery materials, meeting with witnesses and helping to prepare cases for trial.

If you do not see a menu at the top left of this page, click here