SLOTEGRAAF NIEHOFF P.C. - Key Persons
Anita, who has been with our firm for over 10 years and has nearly 34 years of paralegal experience, is our probate paralegal. She enjoys helping families navigate through the paperwork upon the passing of their loved ones.
Anita grew up in Versailles, Indiana and now resides in the countryside of Bedford, Indiana. She has two (2) adult daughters and two (2) cats who all keep her free time quite busy. Her favorite past times are paddle boarding and hiking in the State parks of Indiana.
If you are an estate, probate or trust administration client, you will be working with Anita.
Ben is the director of our litigation services. Ben's primary practice is in family law. He is a registered Domestic Relations Mediator, Guardian Ad Litem, and is trained as a Collaborative Law Practitioner. Ben has been recognized as a Top 10 Family Law Attorney in Indiana by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys in both 2017 and 2018, and by the Attorney Practice Magazine in 2017. Ben has a substantial civil practice as well, representing landlords, both residential and commercial, small businesses, and working in probate and trust contests. Ben has extensive litigation experience including appellate work. Ben has been very involved with community and local organizations over the years and has been President of the Red Cross, SCI Kiwanis, Local Council of Women, BNI, and Bloomington Association of Collaborative Professionals (BACP) at various times.
Charlotte stepped into the role of Business Office Manager in December 2021. She concentrates her workdays on the administrative and billing aspects of our firm so our attorneys and paralegals can focus on our clients. Originally from Austin, Indiana, Charlotte moved to Bloomington in 2003 to attend Indiana University, from which she received her BA in Psychology and Gender Studies. After graduating and spending a few years in the workforce, she decided to attain her MBA as well.
Charlotte's free time is filled with books (she read 106 last year), live music, Jake Gyllenhaal movie marathons with her best friend, and being an (overly) attentive dog parent to Russell with her husband, John.
Job Titles:
- FOUNDER / OWNER Email Eric
- Member of the Michigan
Eric is passionate about small business, estate planning, protecting and preserving estates for the rightful heirs. He has been practicing law and consulting with families and businesses in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana. His diverse clients include nationally known executives, world class academics and musicians, doctors, and several amazing local businesses. Eric's primary practice interests include small business, estate planning, asset protection, probate and trust administration, and probate and trust litigation.
Eric is a member of the Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana Bar Associations and the Monroe County (Indiana) Bar Association. Eric serves as the 2023 Chair of the Indiana State Bar Association Probate, Trust & Real Property Section and is a member of the Hoosier Hills Estate Planning Counsel. Eric also enjoys being a Mentor for the Indiana State Bar Mentor-Match Program for young lawyers. Eric has been involved and assisted with several local non-profit organizations including: Cardinal Stage Company as a board member from 2008-14; Red Cross of Monroe County Indiana board member; People and Animal Learning Services (PALS) as a board member, 50+ Men that Care, SEED Corporation board member, and WonderLab board member.
Eric and his wife moved to the Hoosier state in 2000 and have since lived and raised two daughters in beautiful Bloomington, Indiana. You can often find Eric in his office enjoying public radio and the companionship of Nala, his Labrador Retriever, and our part-time office alarm system. (We are all confident that Eric is Nala's comfort animal.)
Gigi is a legal intern at our office studying Law and Public Policy through the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University- Bloomington. She is originally from Waukesha, WI where she has two overzealous huskies, loves spending time in nature, and is always on the hunt for the next great book. Gigi will graduate in Spring 2025 before attending law school with the intention to explore victim advocacy law.
Job Titles:
- Professional Organizations
Job Titles:
- Community College of Indiana ( Bloomington ) Adjunct Professor
Jen is a paralegal with our civil litigation department. Jen joined the firm in 2022 after working for many years as a litigation paralegal in the Bloomington area, focusing mainly on insurance defense, commercial litigation, and toxic torts. Originally from Pendleton, Indiana, Jen graduated from Indiana University and made Bloomington her home. When she isn't in the office, Jen enjoys spending time with husband, children, and friends.
Kristin is an associate attorney practicing family law, estate planning, landlord tenant disputes, alternative dispute resolution, and civil litigation. Kristin joined the firm in 2015 after graduating Cum Laude from Indiana University Maurer School of Law. Kristin moved to Bloomington in 2008 to obtain her undergraduate degree from Indiana University. Kristin decided she didn't want to leave Bloomington so she applied and was admitted to Maurer School of Law through the Direct Admit Program her junior year of college. While attending law school here in Bloomington, Kristin cultivated her interests in family law and estate planning through various activities, including being President of the Family Law Society, holding a position on the executive board of the Women's Law Caucus, and becoming a registered Domestic Relations Mediator through the Viola J. Taliaferro Family and Children Mediation Clinic. One of Kristin's proudest achievements in law school was being the Auction Co-Chair for the Women's Law Caucus yearly auction that benefits Bloomington's Middle Way House her second year of law school.
Kristin has a passion for helping others navigate the legal field and is dedicated to helping her clients understand what to expect during and after their involvement with the legal field. Kristin is excited that she can call Bloomington her home and continue to be involved in Bloomington's wonderful community. When she isn't in the office, Kristin enjoys spending time with her husband and their two rambunctious sons.
Education:
Indiana University - Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science with Highest Distinction (Human Development and Family Studies, Minor in Sociology and Psychology)
Indiana University Maurer School of Law - Juris Doctorate, Cum Laude
Professional Affiliations:
Indiana State Bar Association
Monroe County Bar Association
Member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP)
Bloomington Association of Collaborative Professionals (BACP)
Job Titles:
- Paralegal
- Planning Paralegal
Laura Vest primarily works as an estate planning paralegal. Laura was born and raised in Bloomington but had spent several years in Colorado and Arizona before returning to be closer to her family. She is married with two very spoiled cats, Polly and Gracie, and has a passion for caring for and advocating for hedgehogs. When not in the office, Laura can be found volunteering at AMVETS Post 2000, immersed in a book, or relaxing with her animals.
Lora was born and raised in Bloomington, near Greene County. She and her husband currently live in Ellettsville. They have five animals: two dogs and three cats. She is currently studying business administration and marketing. In her downtime, she enjoys traveling (mostly to the mountains), doing anything creative, watching movies, listening to music (mostly Pearl Jam), and spending time with family and friends.
Mason is an associate attorney practicing estate planning and probate. Mason grew up in Lapel, Indiana, a small farming town of 2,000 people, and moved to Bloomington 8 years ago. Mason obtained his undergraduate degree from Indiana University at the O'Neill School with high distinction and received the Indiana University Founders Scholar Award. He was one of the few that received direct admission to the Maurer School of Law, which he graduated from last year.
Mason has been passionate about the law and interested in the legal field since he was a teenager. His grandfather, who was also an attorney, was his inspiration. Mason enjoys spending time with his partner Freya, practicing his Norwegian, dabbling in linguistics and history, playing cards with his friends, and sometimes hiking and fishing.
Meredith is a senior at Indiana University from Carmel, IN. She is triple majoring in Economic Consulting, Public Policy Analysis, and Law, Ethics, and Decision Making (LEAD) at the Kelley School of Business. She is looking forward to moving to Chicago after her graduation in May where she will work as a consultant for a few years before attending law school. Meredith thoroughly enjoys her time at Slotegraaf Niehoff, PC and the enriching exposure it has given her to the legal profession.
Sarah joined our family law department in March 2023 with over 17 years of paralegal experience.She is originally from Greenwood, Indiana and moved to Springville, Indiana in 2020 with her family. Sarah studied Political Science and obtained her Paralegal's Certificate at IUPUI.
When she isn't in the office, Sarah is busy tending to her gardens, collecting eggs from her chickens, and working on countless crafting projects. She loves cooking, traveling to the mountains and beaches, and watching her daughter do gymnastics.
Tara is an associate attorney practicing estate planning, probate, and litigation. Prior to joining Slotegraaf Niehoff, Tara clerked for Judge Paul D. Mathias of the Indiana Court of Appeals and for the judges of the Sixth Judicial District of Iowa. Through these clerkships, Tara worked closely with over fifteen judges, and this experience provided her with a unique perspective into how different judges analyze and approach cases.
Tara graduated from Indiana University Maurer School of Law cum laude and was selected to the Order of Barristers for excellence in oral advocacy. During her time as a law student, Tara was an Articles Editor on the Indiana Law Journal, a quarterfinalist and board member of the Sherman Minton Moot Court Competition, and Chief Justice of the Indiana University Student Body Supreme Court. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology and History with highest distinction from Indiana University, where she was also a Herman B Wells Scholar.
Though Tara spent five years in Iowa while her husband completed his medical training, Indiana is home for them. They are excited to return to Indiana in 2018 and raise their daughter in Bloomington.