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J. Thomas Vetne
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About J.
Biography
I'm a personal-injury attorney who works around YOUR schedule—not the other way around.
Need to meet before your factory shift? After you put the kids to bed? Saturday morning? I'm there. I've spent nearly 30 years helping neighbors throughout Elkhart and St. Joseph counties get the compensation they deserve after accidents.
What sets me apart? I actually take cases to trial and win. The Indiana Jury Verdict Reporter recognized me as Indiana's most prolific civil trial lawyer in 2018 and again in 2022 (I was also the runner-up in 2011). This matters because insurance companies know which attorneys settle quickly versus who will fight all the way for you.
I speak plain English, not legalese. When you're dealing with medical bills and lost work after an injury, you need clear answers, not legal jargon.
I've represented clients from RV factory workers to healthcare professionals throughout northern Indiana, handling everything from auto accidents to wrongful-death cases.
When not fighting for my clients, I'm enjoying life as a recent empty-nester with my wife, Stephanie, tending my garden, and occasionally quoting Monty Python.
Your schedule. Your fight. Your victory.
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
Personal Injury
25%
30 years
Lawsuits and Disputes
20%
30 years
Litigation
20%
Car Accident
15%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 300-500 per hour
Contingency
25%-33%
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
Licenses
Licensed in Indiana for 29 years
State: Indiana
Acquired: 1996
No misconduct found
Location
Online Presence
Other places you can find J. online.
J. Thomas Vetne's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
40 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 40 reviews
Posted by Helaina | November 14, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Car Accidents
Traffic accident lawsuit
Tom Vetne was a perfect attorney in a lawsuit case filed against me for a traffic accident in 2020. With his help the claims against me were dropped before trial. He listened to my statements and took into account all of my photo evidence. Answered all of my questions. I would 100% recommend him as a...
Posted by Shaon | November 03, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Business
Sharon Smith, Transportation Company Owner
Mr. Vetne literally saved our family business from ruin, when someone tried to sue us, for an accident that they caused.
Posted by Brad | October 07, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Car Accidents
Defendant in a case
Tom defended me in an accident lawsuit and a well know firm in which I rear ended a person and the plaintiff was suing me for 5 million and did an excellent job doing it. They were awarded nothing and the jury came back 51% plaintiffs fault and 49% my fault . Tom is a very smart down to earth guy and...
Posted by anonymous | October 06, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Best Lawyer Around!
Tom did excellent work and was very confident in my case that we would win. When we went to trial, there was no doubt in my mind that we would lose. He had all of his evidence and supporting documents if needed, and I couldn’t be more happy and satisfied that Tom was my lawyer. He was affirmative and...
Posted by anonymous | September 09, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Great Lawyer.
Great Lawyer and Speedy Service. Handled everything with expertise and very knowledgeable. Answered all my questions and made me feel at ease. Very highly appreciated and recommended.
J. Thomas Vetne's Lawyer Endorsements
"Tom is a great lawyer and dedicated to his clients. He's also quick with a joke, smile, or laugh."
"I endorse this lawyer. Very fair and knowledgeable. An asset to our legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. Tom is a very talented and creative attorney. I've known Tom for over twenty years and he's as good as they come!! Hire him with confidence!!!"
"I endorse Jan. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
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"Tom is an experienced trial attorney who has the unique ability to connect with a jury. He is thoughtful in his approach to every case and sensitive to his client's particular needs."
"I endorse this lawyer."
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Experience
Honors
2022
Most Prolific Trial Attorney, Indiana Jury Verdict Reporter
2018
Most Prolific Trial Attorney, Indiana Jury Verdict Reporter
2016
Best Lawyer, Best Lawyers
2015
Best Lawyer, Best Lawyers in America
2015
Award of Distinction, Center For Plain Language
2014
Client Distinction Award, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
Superb Rating, AVVO
2012
Certificate of Appreciation for redrafting the local rules, Local Rules Committee, Northern District of Indiana
2011
Most Prolific Trial Attorney - runner up, Indiana Jury Verdict Reporter
2009
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
1993
Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Beta Kappa
1992
Winner, Center for Asian Studies Essay Contest, Center for Asian Studies, University of Texas at Austin
N/A
Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell
N/A
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Work Experience
2024 - Present
Partner, Chester Law Office
2023 - 2024
Partner, Hunt Suedhoff Kearney LLP
2000 - 2022
Partner, Jones Obenchain LLP
1998 - 1999
Guest Lecturer, Andrews University
1996 - 2000
Attorney, Steven A. Johnson & Associates
Associations
2025 - Present
Indiana Trial Lawyers AssociationSustaining Member
2012 - 2015
DTCIAttorney Member
2010 - 2013
Local rules Committee, Northern District of IndianaAttorney Member
2003 - 2003
Adult Leadership South Bend/MishawakaClass of 2003
Calumet American Inn of Court
Attorney Member
Robert A. Grant American Inn of Court
Attorney Member
Fischoff National Chamber Music Association
Secretary
Sample of Legal Cases
Malibu Media, LLC v. Jane Doe, No. 2:13-cv-00099-rlm-jem, United States District Court, Northern District of Indiana
Malibu dismissed the case rather than go to trial. Jane Doe didn't pay a dime in settlement
Steven X. Charley, et al. v. Advance Sweeping, Inc. and USM Services, No. 45D05-1102-CT-00034, Lake Superior Court
Defense verdict for defendants
Sheldon v. Hobart Ridge Corporation, et al., No. 45D10-1005-CT-00081, Lake Superior Court
Directed verdict for my client
Auto Owners Insurance Company v. Amanda Singleton, et al. No. 71D07-0802-PL-00021, St. Joseph Superior Court
Judgment for Amanda Singleton
Education
1996
Valparaiso University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1993
University of Texas System, Austin
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2025
Elkhart City Bar Association
Plain language for lawyers
2024
Elkhart County Bar Association
Seven habits of highly effective lawyers
2017
Elkhart County Bar Association
Legal writing
2016
Robert A. Grant American Inn of Court
Arguments for discipline in ineffective-assistance claims
2016
Litigation: Tips, Tricks, and Substance
Deconstructing a Posner opinion to improve your legal writing
2015
Robert A. Grant American Inn of Court
Spoliation of Evidence
2013
Claims Conference
Hot Topics in Indiana Law
2012
Claims Conference
Indiana Law Update
2011
Claims Conference
Indiana Law Update
N/A
Elkhart County Bar Association
Plain English Rules Revision
Publications
Languages
English