Former Mishawaka Mayor Bob Beutter and John Gourley to Join May Oberfell Lorber

MISHAWAKA, Ind. - Robert C. Beutter, former mayor of Mishawaka, and John P. Gourley, Mishawaka city attorney, have announced their plans to join local law firm May Oberfell Lorber.

Beutter and Gourley have shared offices at 437 Lincoln Way East in Mishawaka since 1983. They maintain individual law practices concentrating on estate planning, real estate and business law.

Both attorneys stated that having a full-service firm to supplement their own practices was one of the most compelling reasons for the move.

"May Oberfell Lorber handles a much wider array of services than an individual attorney can," Beutter said. "Associating with the firm will increase the quality and quantity of services that we can provide our clients."

Gourley said he was drawn by May Oberfell Lorber's large and diverse staff of attorneys and paralegals. "That teamwork is a major attraction and advantage to someone like me, who has been a sole practitioner for 27 years," he explained.

May Oberfell Lorber recently moved its headquarters to MFB Plaza at Edison Lakes in Mishawaka with MFB Bank and Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. Gourley called the move "a statement of the firm's fresh and contemporary philosophy of service." He said he enjoys the pleasant setting and plentiful parking of the new office, and "I especially appreciate that the facility is handicapped-accessible, because many clients can benefit from those features."

Another reason Beutter and Gourley cited for joining May Oberfell Lorber is the firm's long history of community service. Every employee regularly donates personal time to community organizations and charities, according to partner Jeff Johnson. The firm also sponsors the South Bend YWCA's Kids Kloset, which donates food and clothing items to women and children in need.

"I appreciate good citizens who cheerfully share their time, talents, leadership and financial resources with our community. It's the right thing to do," Beutter stated. "It makes sense that we would align ourselves with a firm that's willing to invest in public service."

Beutter, a Mishawaka High School graduate, earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and J.D. in law from Indiana University and has practiced law in Mishawaka for over 40 years. He served as the city's mayor from 1984-2003, after which he returned to his private practice. Beutter has served as a Penn township attorney, Osceola town attorney and deputy prosecuting attorney of St. Joseph County. He currently is a deputy city attorney of Mishawaka.

Gourley received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and a J.D. in Law from Indiana University. He worked as a trust officer, commercial loan officer and then bank president for First National Bank in Mishawaka before opening his private law practice in 1978. He has been an attorney for the Redevelopment Department of Mishawaka, Mishawaka Corporation counsel and a city attorney since 1984. Gourley has served as president of the Indiana Municipal Lawyers Association, president of the Indiana University Alumni Club of St. Joseph County, and is currently the president and executive director of the Medical Education Foundation, Inc.

May Oberfell Lorber is a full-service law firm delivering a broad range of legal services including business and corporate, litigation, appellate, personal injury, labor and employment, real estate, mediation and estate planning practices. The firm serves a diverse client base, from individuals to major corporations. May Oberfell Lorber also maintains offices in South Bend, Fort Wayne and Walkerton. The firm will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2006.

 

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