Jeff Rocker

Jeffrey C. Rocker was born on February 4, 1970 in Mount Clemens, Michigan, and raised in Richmond, Michigan, the son of Charles, a residential developer and builder, and his lovely bride, Nancy, the undisputed queen of the castle. As a young man, Jeff worked in residential construction and real estate development. After spending countless summer vacations putting his blood, sweat and tears into beautiful custom homes, Jeff decided that was WAY too hard and set his mind to medical school. After completing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, he was advised the medical school required math. Since math is no fun at all, he continued on to LAW school at Valparaiso University School of Law. During his time in law school, Jeff had the honor of meeting two United States Supreme Court Justices, Anton Scalia and Sandra Day O’Connor. Jeff also had the opportunity to work as a judicial clerk in Michigan where he was responsible for drafting a number of legal opinions on a wide range of cases.

After completing his legal education, Jeff moved to Columbus, Indiana where he met and later married Kim Lukins. In 2004, they were blessed with the birth of their son, Gavin James Rocker who has, surprisingly, reached adulthood in defiance of the Las Vegas oddsmakers. This Fall, Gavin will begin attending Xavier University where he insists he will be studying law. In May of 2007, Darby Claire Rocker was born to the couple. Darby is a force of nature unto herself, self-assured and the master of anything she sets her mind to. Presently, she has set her mind to being a college history professor.

Since being admitted to the bar, Jeff has been involved in the American Bar Association, the Indiana State Bar Association (member, the Technology Committee, 2004-2018), a member of the House of Delegates (the Indiana State Bar version of the House of Representatives, 2013-2017), Law Firm Management Committee (2007), and the Bartholomew County Bar Association (Secretary, 1996-1997; Secretary 2010). He has also been involved in a number of community activities including the American Lung Association (Chair of Fundraising, 1996-1997); the Bartholomew County Historical Society (President, 2000-2004); the Bartholomew County Humane Society (Board Member, 2005-2008); and, the Bartholomew County School Foundation (2009-2016). Jeff also held a position on the HomeFederal Bank Trust Advisory Board (now Indiana Bank & Trust Company). In 1998, Jeff was named one of the Outstanding Young Men of America. In September of 2004, Jeff was the subject of an article in the ABA Journal on Staffing and Productivity, a magazine with international circulation. He has been quoted in Lawyer’s Weekly on topics ranging from technology to practical issues facing practicing attorneys. To further assist local businesses, from 1999-2001 Jeff was a contributor to a local business newspaper The Columbus Business Scene where he wrote articles on a wide range of issues facing local businesses.

Despite being a busy practicing attorney, from 1998 to 2007, Jeff served as an adjunct professor at Indiana University-Purdue University, Columbus (IUPUC) in a number of areas including the Business School, the School of Education, and the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Later in his teaching career, Jeff was honored to be asked to teach the first cohort of students to attend the newly formed Masters of Business Administration program from IUPUC. Though he is retired from teaching, Jeff is a frequent speaker on issues estate planning and probate, as well as a variety of Business topics.

Jeff focuses his practice on business law, commercial and residential real estate, and estate planning/probate. He feels very strongly that in order to better serve clients, attorneys must focus on learning the nuances of a small number of practice areas. Jeff uses his experience in these areas as a trained civil mediator whose role it is to assist other attorneys and their clients in resolving cases without resorting to courtroom trials.