Atty. Curtis E. Shirley
Mr. Shirley graduated from the University of Evansville (BME '83), Indiana University at Bloomington (MM '85), and received his law degree from the Indiana University at Indianapolis (JD '91), summa cum laude.
Profile Summary
About Curtis E. Shirley at a glance
Curtis E. Shirley is a Member based in Carmel, Indiana, practicing at Law Office of Curtis E. Shirley, LLC. They have 35+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1991. Their practice focuses on wills, trusts, probate, family law, and estate planning. Admitted to practice in Indiana U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana U.S. District Court, Southern District of (1991). Educated at Indiana University (J.D., 1991) and Indiana University (M.M. Trumpet, 1985). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serands clients in Carmel, IN and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Mr. Shirley graduated from the University of Evansville (BME '83), Indiana University at Bloomington (MM '85), and received his law degree from the Indiana University at Indianapolis (JD '91), summa cum laude
- After law school, Mr. Shirley clerked for the Honorable James E. Noland of the United States District Court (1991-92), and the Honorable Daniel A. Manion of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (1992-93)
- Mr. Shirley has served as an adjunct professor of law at Indiana University in Indianapolis, teaching Advanced Probate Litigation, and Trusts & Estates as needed
- His article, "Tortious Interference with an Expectancy", Res Gestae, Vl.41 No.4 (1997), in Res Gestae was cited as authority by the Indiana Court of Appeals in Keith v
- Dooley, 802 N.E.2d 54 (Ind.App. 2004)
- Mr. Shirley is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, United States Tax Court, the Seventh Circuit, and all federal and state courts in Indiana
- He is a member of the Indiana State Bar Association, Indianapolis Bar Association, Indiana Trial Lawyers Association, American Association for Justice, named in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, the Indiana Super Lawyers magazine, a Patron Fellow of the Indiana State Bar Foundation, a Distinguished Fellow of the Indianapolis Bar Foundation, received the IBA’s Dr. John Mortin-Finney Excellence in Legal Education Award, and the ISBA’s Pro Bono PublicoAward
- Mr. Shirley manages his own law firm, serves on the Boards of the Indianapolis Legal Aid Society, the Indianapolis Legal Aid Foundation, Indianapolis Childrens’ Dyslexia Center, Chairs the Board of Extended Hand Prison Ministries, and has served on the planned giving committees for the University of Evansville and United Way of Central Indiana
- Mr. Shirley represents clients throughout the United States in will contests, trust contests, claims, guardianship disputes, and complex business litigation
- His clients include many of the foremost attorneys, law professors, and law firms throughout Indiana, and he testifies as an expert witness on estate and trust matters, the fiduciary standard of an attorney and trustee, and attorney fee disputes
- Mr. Shirley is a certified civil mediator
- LEGAL EMPLOYMENT 2000 - Present, Law Office of Curtis E. Shirley Estate and Trust Litigation Complex Business Litigation 1993 - 2000, Partner, Cremer Miller & Burroughs 1992 - 1993, Clerk to the Honorable Daniel A. Manion, Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit 1991 - 1992, Clerk to the Honorable James E. Noland, Judge, United States District Court forthe Southern District of Indiana 1991, Summer Clerk, Ice Miller Donadio & Ryan 1990, Summer Clerk, International Business MachinesArmonk, New York 1989, Summer Clerk, American General Finance,Evansville, Indiana TEACHING EXPERIENCE 1997 - Present, Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum 2007 - 2010, Adjunct Professor of Law, Indiana University at Indianapolis Advance Probate Litigation Estates and Trusts 2001 - 2005, Indianapolis Bar Association Bar Review Course Instructor for Income Tax 1989 - 1991, Instructor, Dean's Tutorial Society 1985 – 1988, Director of Bands and Orchestra, Lewisburg High School, Pennsylvania OTHER EXPERIENCE 2013 - Present, Member, Board of Governors of the Indianapolis Childrens’ Dyslexia Center 2003 - Present, Certified in Civil Mediation 1995 - Present, Board of Directors, Indianapolis Legal Aid Society President and Chairman of the Board (2002-2008) 1995 - Present, Chairman of the Board, Extended Hand Prison Ministries 1990 - 1991, Indiana University Law School Faculty Appointments Committee 1989 - 1991, President, Phi Delta Phi International Legal Fraternity at Indiana University 1989 - 1991, Associate Editor, Indiana Law Review 1989 - 1991, Chief Justice, Indiana University Student Senate Court of Appeals 1988 - 1991, Officer, Indiana University Student Bar Association 1982 - 1985, Member, Sinfonia Foundation Board of Trustees, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Executive Committee HONORS AND ACHIEVEMENTS 1997 - Present, Rated “AV” by Martindale Hubbell, Named in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers (awarded to the top five percent of U.S. law firms) 2004 - 2008, Named an “Indiana Super Lawyer” by the Indianapolis Monthly Magazine (awarded to top five percent of Indiana attorneys) 2005, Indiana State Bar Foundation, Pro Bono Publico Award 2004, Patron Fellow, Indiana State Bar Foundation Distinguished Fellow, Indianapolis Bar Foundation 2002, Dr. John Morton-Finney Excellence in Legal Education Award , Indianapolis Bar Association 1991, Recipient, Phi Delta Phi International Lloyd G. Balfour Scholarship 1990, Recipient, the Honorable Cale J. Holder Distinguished Scholarship Award Indiana University Law Alumni Scholar Harold R. Woodard Fellowship 1982, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Leadership Award SELECTED PUBLICATIONS “Contesting Wills and Trusts”, ICLEF (2017, 2014, 1999) “Estate Planning Under the Guardianship Code”, ICLEF (2006) “The Legacy of Lawrence W. Inlow”, ICLEF (2004) "Evidentiary Matters in Estate, Trust and Tax Litigation", ICLEF (2002) "Taxation in Contested Estates", ICLEF (2001) "Tortious Interference with an Expectancy" , article in Res Gestae, Vl.41 No.4 (1997), cited as authority in Keith v
- Dooley , 802 N.E.2d 54 (Ind.App. 2004)
Practice Areas Explained
Curtis E. Shirley's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Curtis E. Shirley handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Curtis E. Shirley is one of 34,541 wills attorneys indexed nationally. Browse wills attorneys in Indiana →
Curtis E. Shirley is one of 104,171 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in Indiana →
Curtis E. Shirley is one of 128,014 probate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse probate attorneys in Indiana →
Family law attorneys handle divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, prenups, and protective orders. Find verified family lawyers near you.
Curtis E. Shirley is one of 187,066 family law attorneys indexed nationally. Browse family law attorneys in Indiana →
An estate planning attorney prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to protect your family and pass on your assets.
Curtis E. Shirley is one of 226,536 estate planning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse estate planning attorneys in Indiana →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Indiana
Practicing law in Indiana. Legal matters in Indiana are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Carmel are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Indiana state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Indiana brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Indiana courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Indiana attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Carmel or all attorneys in Indiana.
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