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James Reed

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Biography

Jim Reed has dedicated his nearly 40-year legal career to all aspects of relationship transitions, from the needs of a couple entering a new relationship to the legal and financial matters involved in the dissolution of a relationship. His practice includes counseling cohabitating partners in implementing plans for estate transitions, health care decision-making, joint ownership and survivorship as well as representing partners in the conclusion of relationships, custody and support of their children, and the division of property and assets.

Mr. Reed's clients are often high-profile individuals in entertainment, sports and politics, professionals, business owners and executives, and the spouses/partners of these individuals. For many business owners, their business is their most valuable asset. Mr. Reed works with business owners and their partners to identify how to protect the business in the beginning of a relationship. He also understands the complexities that often arise in divorce involving business owners, such as dividing a business, ownership questions, and business valuation.

Mr. Reed has been consistently selected for inclusion in the Indiana Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America in the field of Family Law. He is a sought-after source for insight on matrimonial and family law matters in Indiana and beyond.

Education

  • Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Indianapolis, Indiana
    • J.D. - 1983
    • Honors: magna cum laude
  • Indiana University, Indiana
    • B.A., Graduated with Honors - 1978
    • Major: English Literature

Classes & Seminars

  • Regular speaker and presenter at Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum (ICLEF), Indianapolis Bar Association, The Indiana Lawyer, Annual Family Law Institute and trade seminars.
  • 'Graying Divorce' & Representation of Clients with Diminished Capacity, 18th Annual Family Law Institute, ICLEF Seminar, October 2020
  • Child Support Calculation Nuances, CME for Family Mediators, ICLEF Seminar, September 2020
  • Self-Settled Trust & Premarital Agreements: The Perfect Combination, 17th Annual Family Law Institute, ICLEF Seminar, October 2019
  • Family Law, 41st Annual Judge Robert H. Staton Indiana Law Update, ICLEF Seminar, September 2019
  • Negotiating & Defending Premarital & Post Marital Agreements, 16th Annual Family Law Institute, ICLEF Seminar, October 2018
  • The New Tax Law & Divorce, 16th Annual Family Law Institute, ICLEF seminar, October 2018
  • Family and Juvenile Law, 40th Annual Indiana Law Update, ICLEF seminar, September 2018
  • Prenups and Postnups 101, Essentials of Family Law Seminar, ICLEF, August 2018
  • Hot Topics in Premarital Agreements, Indianapolis Bar Association CLE seminar, June 2018
  • "Diversity: The Missing Piece in Family Law", 10/14/2010
  • "Financial and Estate Planning for Divorcing Clients", 08/13/2010
  • "Divorce 101: Handling Your First Divorce Case", 12/04/2009
  • "A Survey of the New Amendments to the Indiana Child Support Rules and Guidelines", 09/15/2009
  • "Family Law Institute Tax Returns: Analyzing LLC, S-Corporations and Partnership Tax Returns", 2009
  • "Tax Returns and Related Documents: Sample Discovery Requests", 10/15/2008
  • "Divorce 101: Property Related Clauses and for Decrees and Settlements Agreements", 04/25/2008
  • "Overview of Divorce-Related Issues Involving Highly Compensated Executives and Business Owners and Social Security Issues in Divorce", 12/13/2007

Pro-Bono Activities

  • International School of Indiana; Past Member, Capital Campaign Committee
  • Indianapolis Bar Association Free Will Clinic, VA Hospital

Past Positions

  • Indiana University, 1978 to 1980
  • Indiana Judicial Center, 1980 to 1981
  • Atkinson Kelsey, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Summer 1982
  • James A. Buck, Attorney, 1981 to 1990
  • Skiles and Reed, 1990 to 1996
  • Dentons (Partner) successor to Bingham Sommers Welsh and Spilman, Bingham McHale, Bingham Greenebaum Doll, 1996 to 2021

Languages

  • English

Published Works

  • "Divorce in Indiana: What to expect and best practices to follow during the divorce process", Client Guide, 2021
  • "Why do I need to have a premarital agreement" , Indiana Lawyer, Jan.8-21, 2019
  • Co-author "A Brief Survey of the New Amendments to the Indiana Child Support Rules & Guidelines", Res Gestae, Fall, 2009
  • Co-author "Family Law Issues Concerning Gays, Lesbians and their Children Under Indiana Law", Res Gestae, Spring, 2007
  • "Overview of Divorce-Related Issues Involving Highly Compensated Executives and Business Owners", ICLEF, November, 2007
  • "Hot Property Topics: Stock Options, Remainder Interests, Property Issues for Non-Married Cohabitants, and Provisions Your Decree May Need", ICLEF, January, 2007
  • "Family Law Issues Concerning Gays, Lesbians and their Children Under Indiana Law,” Publisher: Res Gestae, Indiana State Bar Association, Co-author: Michael Kohlhass, May, 2007

Fraternities or Sororities

  • Phi Beta Kappa

Professional Associations

  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Member
  • Indiana State Bar Association, Member
  • Indianapolis Bar Association
  • Indianapolis Bar Association, Board of Managers, 1990-1992; 1993-1995
  • American Bar Association
  • Christel DeHaan Family Foundation, 2000 to 2004
  • Christel House Charity, 2000 to 2008
  • Indianapolis City Market, 1994 to 1996
  • Behavior Corp, 1993 to 1996

Current Employment Position

  • Partner

Practice Areas

  • Litigation 80%
  • Family Law
  • Estate Planning

Bar Admissions

  • Indiana, 1983

Honors

  • Distinguished Fellow, Indianapolis Bar Foundation
  • Harrison Legal Writing Award, First Place, "Family Law Issues Concerning Gays, Lesbians and their Children Under Indiana Law," Res Gestae, Indiana State Bar Association, co-author Michael Kohlhass, May 2007
  • Christel House Ambassador of Distinction, 2008
  • Super Lawyer Top 50
  • Earned Martindale Hubbell's AV, the highest rating in 5th year of practice
  • Selected for inclusion in Lawdragon 500 Leading Family Lawyers, 2020
  • Selected for inclusion in Indiana Super Lawyers® in the field of Family Law, 2004-2024
  • Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in the field of Family Law, 1995-2021
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Indianapolis Family Law, "Lawyer of the Year," 2013, 2019 and 2025
  • Selected for inclusion in The National Law Journal Trailblazers - Divorce, Trusts & Estates list, 2016
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Rating
  • “Chambers and Partners” designated practitioner in High Net Worth Guide, Divorce and Family Law 2022
  • Lawdragon 500 Leading Family Lawyers guide - 2025
  • Chambers 2025 High Net Worth Guide, Family/Matrimonial: High Net Worthth