Atty. Stephen James Akard

Atty. Stephen James Akard

Stephen Akard is a partner in the Bose McKinney & Evans Site Selection and Economic Incentives Group. Stephen works with businesses on economic development opportunities in the Midwest and across the United States, including evaluating financing options, negotiating workforce and development incentives, creating strategies for site selection, and assessing the impact of reshoring manufacturing.

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Profile Summary

About Stephen James Akard at a glance

Stephen James Akard is a Partner based in Indianapolis, Indiana, practicing at Bose McKinney & Evans LLP. Their practice focuses on business. Educated at Indiana University McKinney School of Law (J.D., 1989) and Indiana University Kelley School of Business M.B.A. Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis (B.A. Economics, 1986). Serands clients in Indianapolis, IN and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Stephen Akard is a partner in the Bose McKinney & Evans Site Selection and Economic Incentives Group
  • Stephen works with businesses on economic development opportunities in the Midwest and across the United States, including evaluating financing options, negotiating workforce and development incentives, creating strategies for site selection, and assessing the impact of reshoring manufacturing
  • Stephen’s practice includes special emphasis on economic development contract language and compliance
  • Prior to joining Bose McKinney & Evans, Stephen served as the director of the Office of Foreign Missions with the rank of ambassador, as well as the U.S
  • State Department Acting Inspector General
  • Before these roles, Stephen served as a senior advisor and acting chief of staff in the Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment at the U.S
  • Department of State
  • Prior to joining the Department of State, Stephen was the chief of staff for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), the state’s lead economic development agency
  • At the IEDC, Stephen also held the positions of vice president and general counsel, and director of international development
  • During his 12-year tenure at the IEDC, Stephen was involved in more than 2,200 economic development deals, with a particular focus on contracts and compliance
  • He also has served as a senior foreign affairs advisor to Indiana Governors Mitch Daniels, Mike Pence and Eric Holcomb
  • Stephen was a career foreign service officer with the Department of State, holding positions as a special assistant to Secretary of State Colin Powell in the Executive Secretariat
  • political officer and general services officer at the U.S
  • Embassy in Brussels, Belgium
  • and as a consular officer at the U.S
  • Consulate General in Mumbai, India
  • A native of Indianapolis, Stephen earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and French from Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis
  • He earned a law degree from the Indiana University McKinney School of Law and an MBA from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business
  • Following law school, he was a judicial law clerk for the Honorable James E. Noland, U.S
  • District Court for the Southern District of Indiana

Practice Areas Explained

Stephen James Akard's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Stephen James Akard handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

Stephen James Akard is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business 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 Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis or all attorneys in Indiana.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Stephen James Akard

Where is Stephen James Akard's law office located?
Stephen James Akard's law practice is located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The firm is Bose McKinney & Evans LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Stephen James Akard handle?
Stephen James Akard focuses on business. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Indiana.
Where did Stephen James Akard go to law school?
Stephen James Akard earned their education at (J.D., 1989); (B.A. Economics, 1986).
How can I contact Stephen James Akard for a consultation?
You can contact Stephen James Akard directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.

Education

J.D.
Indiana University McKinney School of Law
- 1989
B.A. Economics
Indiana University Kelley School of Business M.B.A. Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis
- 1986

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