James S. Stephenson

Of Counsel

Indianapolis Office
11590 N. Meridian St.
Suite 650
Carmel, IN 46032

James Stephenson is the founding partner of the Indianapolis law firm of Stephenson Morow & Semler, which merged into Clark Johnson & Knight, Ltd. in March of 2023. He has devoted his career primarily to the defense of governmental entities and private parties in tort and civil rights litigation. He has represented cities, counties, public officials, law enforcement and private parties throughout Indiana in both the state and federal courts. His practice involved both trial and appellate representation of parties, primarily on assignment from various insurers.
Mr. Stephenson is admitted to practice in both Indiana and Illinois, the federal district courts in Indiana and Illinois, and the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. He has been a speaker for continuing legal education forums and has conducted training sessions for law enforcement and public officials, and authored numerous briefs and memoranda in connection with defense of various insureds.

Significant Federal Appellate Decisions

Dollard v. City of Carmel, 946 F.3d 342 (7^th Cir. 2019)

Lovett v. Herbert, 907 F.3d 986 (7^th Cir. 2018)

Wilson-Trattner v. Campbell, 863 F.3d 589 (7^th Cir. 2017)

Williams v. Indiana State Police, 797 F.3d 468 (7^th Cir. 2015)

Steen v. Myers, 486 F.3d 1017 (7^th Cir. 2007)

Significant Indiana Appellate Decisions

City of Columbus v. Londeree, 145 N.E.3d 827 (Ind. App. 2020)

City of Lawrence Utilities Service Board v. Curry, 68 N.E.3d 581 (Ind. 2017)

Lee by and through Estes v. Bartholomew Consol. School Corp., 75 N.E.3d 518 (Ind. App. 2017)

Town of Knightstown v. Wainscott, 70 N.E.3d 450 (Ind. App. 2017)

Jones v. Hancock County Board of Commissioners, 55 N.E.3d 311 (Ind. App. 2016)

Delacruz v. Wittig, 42 N.E.3d 557 (Ind. App. 2015)

Lyons v. Richmond Comm. School Corp., 19 N.E.3d 254 (Ind. App. 2014)

Miller v. Central Indiana Community Foundation, 11 N.E.3d 944 (Ind. App. 2014)

Haskin v. City of Madison, 999 N.E. 2d 1047 (Ind. App. 2013)

North Gibson School Corp. v. Truelock, 971 N.E.2d 707 (Ind. App. 2012)

Salsbery Pork Producers v. Booth, 967 N.E.2d 1 (Ind. App. 2012)

Putnam County Sheriff v. Price, 954 N.E.2d 451 (Ind. 2011)

City of Peru v. Lewis, 950 N.E.2d 1 (Ind. App. 2011)