Michael J. Lewinski

Michael J. Lewinski

Partner
Mike is a dedicated problem solver who listens carefully to clients to better understand their unique situation and strives to model a resolution that works from a legal and practical perspective.
Michael J. Lewinski
"With more than 35 years of experience in litigation and six years of experience teaching at Butler University’s Lacy School of Business, I like to believe I bring a different perspective to dispute resolution. I teach my students to think outside of the box and to view each situation through different lenses, which I also try to do in my legal practice."

Mike maintains a primary practice focused on real estate litigation matters, including eminent domain, landlord/tenant issues, foreclosures, title issues, title agent defalcations, partition actions, and other related issues.

He remains committed to the local legal education community, serving as a frequent speaker at continuing legal education seminars on the topics of eminent domain and commercial landlord/tenant law. He authored the chapter on eminent domain which is included in the Indiana Elected Municipal Officials Handbook, published by the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, and is a co-author of the chapter of Indiana law on eminent domain for the ABA.

Mike was also director of the Roncalli High School Mock Trial Program and received a statewide award in 2009 for his efforts with the Indiana Mock Trial Program. He was a member of the steering committee and finance chair for the 2013 National High School Mock Trial competition in Indianapolis, where 48 teams from across the country and beyond competed. Mike continues to work with the Indiana Bar Foundation on growing the High School Mock Trial Program in Indiana and is now a member of the Indiana Bar Foundation High School Mock Trial Advisory Committee.

For 10 years, Mike served on the Board of Directors with the United Way Youth as Resources program, including two years as chairman. He also helped United Way develop its youth initiative and activities surrounding the 2017 Global Youth Day of Service. He was previously a volunteer judge with the United Way Reach for Youth Teen Court program.

Mike also helped develop a performing arts booster group for Roncalli High School and has stayed active in supporting the performing arts at Roncalli High School. He has received both the Monsignor Albert Busald Award and the John Bosco Award by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and Catholic Youth Organization for his efforts in supporting youth over the past 25+ years. Mike is active in his church, where he has held various positions, including his current position as a member of the finance committee.

Mike maintains a primary practice focused on real estate litigation matters, including eminent domain, landlord/tenant issues, foreclosures, title issues, title agent defalcations, partition actions, and other related issues.

He remains committed to the local legal education community, serving as a frequent speaker at continuing legal education seminars on the topics of eminent domain and commercial landlord/tenant law. He authored the chapter on eminent domain which is included in the Indiana Elected Municipal Officials Handbook, published by the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, and is a co-author of the chapter of Indiana law on eminent domain for the ABA.

Mike was also director of the Roncalli High School Mock Trial Program and received a statewide award in 2009 for his efforts with the Indiana Mock Trial Program. He was a member of the steering committee and finance chair for the 2013 National High School Mock Trial competition in Indianapolis, where 48 teams from across the country and beyond competed. Mike continues to work with the Indiana Bar Foundation on growing the High School Mock Trial Program in Indiana and is now a member of the Indiana Bar Foundation High School Mock Trial Advisory Committee.

For 10 years, Mike served on the Board of Directors with the United Way Youth as Resources program, including two years as chairman. He also helped United Way develop its youth initiative and activities surrounding the 2017 Global Youth Day of Service. He was previously a volunteer judge with the United Way Reach for Youth Teen Court program.

Mike also helped develop a performing arts booster group for Roncalli High School and has stayed active in supporting the performing arts at Roncalli High School. He has received both the Monsignor Albert Busald Award and the John Bosco Award by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and Catholic Youth Organization for his efforts in supporting youth over the past 25+ years. Mike is active in his church, where he has held various positions, including his current position as a member of the finance committee.

  • Wabash College, B.A., summa cum laude, 1982
  • Indiana University Mauer School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1985
  • Supreme Court of Indiana, 1985
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 1985
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana, 1985
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, 1985
Pro Hac Vice Admissions:
  • Court of Appeals, Arizona
  • Supreme Court, Arizona
  • Beta Theta Pi
  • Butler University, Andre Lacy School of Business
    • Academic advisor to business students
    • Lecturer
    • Pre-law advisor for Butler University
  • Catholic Youth Organization (CYO)
  • John Bosco Award
  • Certified mediator
  • Delta Theta Phi – President
  • Indiana Bar Foundation Mock Trial
    • Advisory Committee
    • Case Writing Committee
    • Rules Committee
    • Judge trainer
  • Indiana State Bar Association
  • Indiana Super Lawyers – 2004, 2011-2022
  • Indianapolis Bar Association
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review – Rated AV® Preeminent
  • Phi Beta Kappa
  • Roncalli High School – High School Mock Trial
    • Coach
    • Indiana High School Mock Trial Woods Dedication Award, 2009
    • Steering Committee, 2013
    • Treasurer, 2013
  • Mark Catholic Church
    • Finance Committee – Chair
    • Parish Council
    • Mark Catholic School Board – Former Chair
  • Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series, Class XXV, 2000-2001
  • The Best Lawyers in America, 2009-2023
    • Commercial Litigation, 2009-present
    • Real Estate Litigation, 2011-present
    •  Indianapolis, Lawyer of the Year – Real Estate Litigation, 2021
  • Wishing Well Fund, Inc.
    • Board of Directors
    • Treasurer
  • United Way Global Youth Day of Service – Indianapolis, 2017
  • United Way Reach for Youth
  • United Way Youth as Resources
    • Former Chair
    • Board Member
  • YMCA basketball coach
    • Roncalli High School Performing Arts Program – fundraiser and supporter
    • YMCA basketball coach

Mike has presented on and written articles on various topics, including:

  • “Challenged to ‘Locke’ Into a Resolution,” The Indiana Lawyer, May 1, 2019.
  • “Current Issues in Foreclosure and Receivership,” Webinar, July 20, 2016.
  • “Indiana Elected Municipal Officials Handbook, Chapter: Eminent Domain,” Author, Indiana Association of Cities and Towns.
  • Compilation of State and Eminent Domain Laws – Indiana Law, co-author, American Bar Association.

Mike has extensive experience across many facets of law, including jury trial, arbitration, and mediation. During his career, he has argued before the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals in Indiana and Arizona.

  • ABN Amro Mortg. Group, Inc. v. Maximum Mortg., Inc., Slip Copy, 2006 WL 2598034 (N.D. Ind. Sept. 8, 2006).
  • City of Vincennes v. Emmons, 841 N.E.2d 155, 2006 WL 168544 (Ind. Jan. 25, 2006).
  • SMDfund, Inc. v. Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority, 831 N.E.2d 725, 2005 WL 1805605 (Ind. Aug. 2, 2005).
  • Fonseca v. Hall, Not Reported in F.Supp.2d, 2005 WL 756229 (S.D. Ind. Jan. 18, 2005).
  • City of Vincennes v. Emmons, 817 N.E.2d 291, 2004 WL 2535403 (Ind. Ct. App. Nov. 10, 2004).
  • Michael v. City of Bloomington, Indiana Bd. of Public Works, 804 N.E.2d 1225, 2004 WL 557286 (Ind. Ct. App. March 22, 2004).
  • Dvorak v. City of Bloomington, 796 N.E.2d 236, 2003 WL 22204179 (Ind. Sept. 23, 2003).
  • Lake Cent. School Corp. v. Hawk Development Corp., 793 N.E.2d 1080, 2003 WL 21977072 (Ind. Ct. App. Aug. 20, 2003).
  • Dvorak v. City of Bloomington, 768 N.E.2d 490, 2002 WL 1003925, Transfer Granted (Ind. Ct. App. May 17, 2002).
  • Piers v. American United Life Ins. Co., 714 N.E.2d 1289, 1999 WL 649386 (Ind. Ct. App. Aug. 26, 1999).
  • Perry County Development Corp. v. Kempf, 712 N.E.2d 1020, 1999 WL 366723 (Ind. Ct. App. June 8, 1999).
  • NationsCredit Commercial Corp. v. Grauel Enterprises, Inc., 703 N.E.2d 1072, 1998 WL 858021 (Ind. Ct. App., Dec. 14, 1998).
  • Book v. Hester, 695 N.E.2d 597, 1998 WL 201871 (Ind. Ct. App. April 27, 1998).
  • Dvorak v. Christ, 692 N.E.2d 920, 1998 WL 111689 (Ind. Ct. App. March 16, 1998).
  • Como, Inc. v. Carson Square, Inc., 689 N.E.2d 725, 1997 WL 793462 (Ind. Dec. 23, 1997).
  • State v. Hoovler, 668 N.E.2d 1229, 1996 WL 445339 (Ind. Aug. 7, 1996).
  • Como, Inc. v. Carson Square, Inc., 648 N.E.2d 1247, 1995 WL 217630 (Ind. Ct. App. 2 Dist. April 13, 1995).
  • Indiana Gaming Com'n v. Moseley, 643 N.E.2d 296, 1994 WL 656033 (Ind. Nov. 21, 1994).
  • H. Landfill Co., Inc. v. Miami County Solid Waste Dist., 628 N.E.2d 1237, 1994 WL 32779 (Ind. Ct. App. 5 Dist. Feb. 9, 1994).
  • Farmers State Bank of Wyatt v. Clark Equipment Co., 582 N.E.2d 452, 1991 WL 259480 (Ind. Ct. App. 3 Dist. Dec. 12, 1991).
  • First Nat. Bank of Logansport v. Logan Mfg. Co., Inc., 577 N.E.2d 949, 1991 WL 172117, 18 A.L.R.5th 999 (Ind. June 28, 1991).
  • Picadilly, Inc. v. Colvin, 519 N.E.2d 1217, 1988 WL 17176 (Ind. March 2, 1988).
  • Rasp v. Hidden Valley Lake, Inc., 519 N.E.2d 153, 1988 WL 9463 (Ind. Ct. App. 4 Dist. Feb. 10, 1988).
  • Picadilly, Inc. v. Colvin, 503 N.E.2d 421, Transfer Granted (Ind. Ct. App. 1 Dist. Jan. 27, 1987).