I was named after my grandfather. He was a Navy man. My dad was a Navy man too; he's a disabled Vietnam veteran. My mother was a stay-at-home mom for a while. She went to work once my younger brother started school. I've always admired how she did it. My dad was gone for long stretches of time during my life due to his naval obligations and my mom had to often play the role of both parents and hold the family together. My parents are still married; they celebrated their 42nd anniversary on June 24, 2014.
I was fortunate to see many interesting places growing up, and I quickly learned how to make new friends wherever we ended up. I learned a lot of life skills from my parents: the discipline, focus and methodic way of approaching life from my dad and hard work, grit and the importance of family from my mom.
When my dad deployed to the Persian Gulf in Operation Desert Storm we moved to the small town of Columbia City. My paternal grandparents lived in the Columbia City area and my maternal grandparents lived on Blue Lake, just outside of Churubusco.
I attended college at Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne. I later attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan. After graduating law school I decided to open my own practice in Fort Wayne because this town truly feels like home to me. I worked as a deputy public defender in Allen County for about three years; I gave that gig up to focus on my thriving private practice.
I am active in the Fort Wayne community. I do volunteer work for Riverfront Fort Wayne and the Three Rivers Festival. I attend Pathway Community Church on the north side of town.
I am a fitness buff and work out 5 times a week. I also jog (more like plod) when I can. I am currently training to run my first half-marathon this September during the Fort for Fitness.
I enjoy what I do because I have the opportunity to help people when they are often at their lowest point in life. My goal is to not only advocate for my clients but also to educate and prepare them to start in a new direction. What I mean by this is that I don't just explain what the law is. I help folks with all the practical aspects that occur in their life as they are intertwined with the legal system.
My ultimate goal is to provide folks with as much information as I can, so that they can make well-informed decisions; even if it means providing answers to the tough questions that they need answered. We may not always see eye-to-eye and that's o.k.; I think that playing the role of the "yes man" to my clients is a severe disservice to them.
In sum, I look forward to helping those who are down on their luck by providing relevant information, practical knowledge and direction to get them to where they need to be.
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
IN | Active In Good Standing | 2006 | 04/01/2022 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Nationally Ranked Top 10 Under 40 Attorney Award | National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys | 2013 |
Top 100 Trial Lawyers | National Trial Lawyers | 2013 |
Top 40 Under 40 | National Trial Lawyers | 2012 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Deputy Public Defender | Allen County Superior Court | 2006 - 2008 |
Judicial law clerk | Allen County Superior Court | 2004 - 2005 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Allen County Bar Association, Grievance Committee | 2014 - Present | |
Allen County Bar Association Ethics Committee | 2014 - Present | |
Indiana State Bar | 2006 - Present | |
Allen County Bar Association | 2006 - Present | |
Allen County Bar Association, Family Law Section | 2006 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Speakeasy Publishing | Legal Cleanup in Indiana | 2014 |
Book | Facing Divorce In Indiana? | 2014 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Thomas M. Cooley Law School | Juris Doctor | 2005 |
Ipfw - Fort Wayne | Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) | 2000 |
Thomas M. Cooley Law School | JD | N/A |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
R.J. vs. Department of Child Services | |
D.S. vs. Department of Child Services |
Posted by anonymous
July 31, 2014
Posted by Andrew
July 15, 2013
Posted by anonymous
April 11, 2018
Posted by anonymous
May 19, 2014
Brent Hardy, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 11, 2015
Relationship: Other
I endorse Robert without reservation. He has demonstrated an exceptional grasp of the law and is a superb litigator.
Timothy Logan, Family Attorney on Jun 18, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Robert is really active. He is learning by doing, and he is doing much good work in the family law arena including by infusing a necessary degree of reasonableness into his negotiations.
Brent Hardy, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 11, 2015
Relationship: Other
I endorse Robert without reservation. He has demonstrated an exceptional grasp of the law and is a superb litigator.
Timothy Logan, Family Attorney on Jun 18, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Robert is really active. He is learning by doing, and he is doing much good work in the family law arena including by infusing a necessary degree of reasonableness into his negotiations.
Dmitry Gorin, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 15, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse attorney Robert Bellinger. He is well-respected among his colleagues in the legal community.
Simon Kabzan, Unknown Attorney on Sep 12, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Excellent attorney who I fully endorse as a true professional in their area of practice.
David Joley, Family Attorney on Jul 28, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Gregory Miller, Family Attorney on Jul 23, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I am endorsing Mr. Bellinger. He provides thoughtful and competent representation to his clients.
Christopher LaPan, Child custody Attorney on Jul 23, 2014
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I am pleased to endorse Attorney Bellinger. Having worked on the other side of various matters in the realm of domestic relations, I can attest that he is a conscientious, client-centric advocate, and a worthy opponent. Robert has earned my endorsement.
Howard Lewis, Family Attorney on Jul 20, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Bellinger is an outstanding attorney with an exceptional reputation. I highly recommend his legal services.
John O'Brien, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 19, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible.
Michael Setlak, Family Attorney on Jul 18, 2014
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
Robert is a strong advocate for his clients, while at the same time he is very respectful to the Court and to the opposing side and counsel. Robert puts his clients best interests forward by attempting to work toward a settlement, but will take the matter to court if need be.
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