100 Years of Putting Clients First Attorneys & Business Counselors Since 1906
John R. Obenchain
Of Counsel
574.233.1194
574.233.8957 (fax)
Assistant: Barbara L. Snyder
Areas of Practice:
- Personal Injury
- Premises Liability
- Insurance Defense
- Appeals
- General Trial Practice
- Elder Law
Professional Credentials:
- J.D., Valparaiso University School of Law, 1970
- B.S., Colorado State University, 1964
Bar Admission:
- Indiana, 1970
- U.S. District Court, Northern & Southern Districts of Indiana
- United States Supreme Court, 1978
Bar Associations:
- Indiana State Bar Association
- St. Joseph County Bar Association
- American Bar Association
Professional Associations:
- Certified Mediator and Arbitrator of Civil Cases since December of 1996
- Indiana Trial Lawyers Association
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America (former member)
- Defense Research Institute
- Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana (former member)
John R. Obenchain
John R. Obenchain, a long time partner of Jones Obenchain and now of Counsel to the firm, is a third generation partner, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and one of the firm’s founders, Roland Obenchain, Sr., and his father, Roland Obenchain, Jr. He was admitted to the bar in Indiana in 1970 and immediately joined the firm.
John continues to focus his practice, as he has done for over 35 years, in litigation. Practicing mainly, but not exclusively, in the area of personal injury, John has tried nearly 220 cases before a jury, and he tried 14 cases in one year alone! He has been involved in appellate work in every decade of his practice, representing clients before the Indiana Court of Appeals, the Indiana Supreme Court, and the United States Supreme Court. He has been involved in two important premises liability cases—one going to the Indiana Supreme Court—and won them both, making new law in Indiana. His litigation practice has also enabled him to become a skilled mediator. He is a Certified Mediator and Arbitrator of Civil Cases, having obtained his certification in December of 1996.
In addition to his long hours as a trial attorney and litigator, John has continually served his community. From 1976 to 1984, he served as the Chairman of the Grievance Committee of St. Joseph County Bar Association. He has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of South Bend Area Crime Stoppers, Inc.; as President, Editor, Secretary, and Director of the Kiwanis Club of South Bend; as Director of the First United Methodist Church of South Bend; as Member and Secretary of the Board of Managers of Y.M.C.A. - Camp Eberhart; and as President and Director of the Legal Services Program of Northern Indiana, Inc. In addition to all that, he has also served as a judge of student competitions at the Notre Dame Law School and as a Volunteer for R.E.A.L. Services, Inc. He has now started volunteering with the Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit at Memorial Hospital of South Bend.
In 2004, John was recognized by Kiwanis International by being awarded the Life Member status for service to the community and to Kiwanis.
Reported cases: Nyers v. Gruber, 275 NE 2d 863 (Ind. App. 1971); Ostric v. St. Mary's College, 288 N.E. 2d 565 (Ind. App. 1972); Martin v. State of Indiana, 438 F.Supp. 234 (N.D. Ind. 1977); State Department of Revenue v. American Motorists Ins. Co., 396 N.E. 2d 907 (Ind. App. 1979); Gaboury v. Ireland Road Grace Brethren, Inc., 446 N.E. 2d 1310 (Ind. 1983); Gilmer v. Carney, 608 N.E. 2d 709 (Ind. App. 1993); Carbone v. Schwarte, 629 N.E. 2d 1259 (Ind. App. 1994); Becker v. American Family Mutual Insurance Company, 697 N.E.2d 106 (Ind. App. 1998); and Safe Auto Insurance Co. v. Farm Bureau Insurance Co., 856 N.E.2d 156 (Ind. App. 2006).
Jones Obenchain, LLP - 202 South Michigan Street - 600 Key Bank Building - P.O. Box 4577 - South Bend, Indiana 46634
