Janet G. Horvath

I have built a dynamic and diverse general practice that enables me to provide leading businesses, their executives and families with the commercial and personal legal assistance they need. Because I strive to develop long-term relationships with my clients, matching my legal knowledge to their changing business and family priorities, I have assisted with everything from multi-million-dollar transactions to estate planning and probate administration. Business owners often seek my input with ongoing management decisions, and changes to their employment handbooks and HR policies.  I make sure the company meets its objectives while also complying with the law. I have also defended companies against discrimination claims made by terminated employees. In the end, my goal is to help my clients solve their legal challenges promptly and effectively, helping their businesses to flourish as I also protect their personal assets.

I have always placed a high value on people and the community. I was raised just outside of South Bend in New Carlisle on my family’s dairy farm. My great-grandfather purchased the farm while working at Studebaker’s during the Great Depression and the farm has remained in my family for three generations, worked by both my grandfather and father. Growing up, I actively participated in my local 4-H Club and showed dairy cattle from my family’s farm at the County Fair. This community-centered upbringing instilled in me the desire to help others and to build lasting relationships both personally and professionally. I was also raised in a culture that honored a person’s handshake as their word; today, that perspective helps me to keep things simple, to cut to the chase legally, without overcomplicating matters. Simply put, I efficiently protects my clients while keeping things simple.

I pride myself on being exactly who my clients need me to be as their businesses and families grow. I am fortunate enough to have handled so many different issues for my clients that I generally know how to help them solve their big and small challenges.

Since 2013, I have shared my legal knowledge and experiences with the next generation of business leaders by teaching business law as an adjunct professor at Saint Mary’s College, my alma mater. I identify a recent call from a former student, who now owns her own business, as one of my most gratifying professional experiences. My student knew the issues to be concerned about from our class and wanted to retain me to ensure she was adequately protecting herself.

My husband, Leon, and I have two young sons who are the focus of nearly all of our free time. When I am not at work or with my family, I enjoy volunteering for local non-profit organizations.  I am a member and past president of the Junior League of South Bend and serve as a director of the Scholarship Foundation of St. Joseph County.  I am also a past president of the Saint Mary’s College South Bend Alumnae Club and past board member of the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.