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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 5 reviews | Compassion
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 | May 27, 2021 | Hired Attorney
Tom Vetne is great to work with and is highly recommended!
When you have the misfortune of people taking advantage of others (and the system at large), it is a nerve wracking experience. In working with Tom, I was immediately eased and assured about how to deal with the circumstances and became well-informed about how to navigate an otherwise intimidating pr...
Posted by Zachary | January 14, 2020 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Great, caring and understanding of a guy.
Handled my first deposition with Mr. Vetne, I was very nervous and once talking to him I was relieved and felt better about the situation I got myself into. Very thankful for the time and service.
Posted by Sandra | April 14, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Litigation
Trial
Tom went above and beyond. As I sat daily worried about trial Tom continued to tell me not to worry because he wasn't worried. The exceptional meticulous work he did for us was amazing. He followed through with every question we had. The day we walked into trial Tom had it from every angel there was ...
Posted by anonymous | September 28, 2014 | Employment & Labor
I highly recommend Tom for Employment Law issues
Tom was very helpful. He understood my time constraint and worked with me on a Sunday to resolve my issue. He is very knowledgeable and experienced about employment laws and non-compete issues. He listens and understands your problem very patiently. His assurance and confidence in my case helped rel...
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."
James Barth
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Michael Babcock
Personal injury lawyer
Ryan Lindinger
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John Van Laere
Business lawyer
Janet Horvath
Probate lawyer
Jacqueline Homann
Corporate and incorporation lawyer
Lyle Hardman
Construction and development lawyer
Edward Ruiz
Criminal defense lawyer
Joe Morris
Family lawyer
Rebecca Decoster
Litigation lawyer
Sarah Way
Business lawyer
Brian Kelly
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Timothy Woods
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Colin Reilly
Car accident lawyer
Robert Edwards
Mediation lawyer
Mark Phillipoff
Family lawyer
Brian Kubicki
Appeals lawyer
Brian Gates
Appeals lawyer
John Ford
Employment and labor lawyer
Franklin Julian
Car accident lawyer
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