Atty. Thomas E. Rucinski
Thomas Rucinski was born in Hammond, Indiana in 1949, graduated from Bishop Noll Institute, obtained a B.S. from Indiana University Business School and graduated from Valparaiso University School of Law with a Juris Doctorate degree in 1974. As of January 1, 2018, Mr.
Divorce & More Attorney · Serving Crown Point, IN · 52+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Thomas E. Rucinski at a Glance
Thomas E. Rucinski is an Of Counsel based in Crown Point, Indiana, practicing at Miller Sachs & Hess, PC. They have 52+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1974. Their practice focuses on divorce, car accidents, child custody, medical malpractice, and personal injury. Admitted to practice in Iowa (1974) and Indiana (1974). Educated at Valparaiso University (J.D., 1974) and Indiana University (B.S., 1971). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of Lake County Bar Association Indiana State Bar Association. Serves clients in Crown Point, IN and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Thomas E. Rucinski
- Thomas Rucinski was born in Hammond, Indiana in 1949, graduated from Bishop Noll Institute, obtained a B.S. from Indiana University Business School and graduated from Valparaiso University School of Law with a Juris Doctorate degree in 1974
- As of January 1, 2018, Mr. Rucinski has changed his status with the firm to “of counsel”
- He continues to consult on matters relating to the firm
- Mr. Rucinski began his legal career as a Law Clerk with the law firm in 1972
- Mr. Rucinski has been with the firm in some capacity ever since
- Mr. Rucinski has been involved in numerous types of cases, including family law, personal injury and criminal cases
- He's obtained favorable recoveries for clients against local and state governments, corporations, doctors and dentists
- As a licensed pilot, his knowledge of the Federal Aviation Agency and the National Transportation Safety Board provides him with additional tools with which to handle aviation related matters
- Mr. Rucinski focused a significant portion of his time in the area of family law
- His philosophy in representing divorce clients was to amicably reach a settlement on all issues without time consuming and costly litigation
- However, there are times when, for a variety of reasons, settlement is impossible
- In these cases, Mr. Rucinski recognized that vigorous representation is the only alternative
- In the 1970's, as lead attorney, he was filing an average of 50 new divorce cases per year
- Although he stopped keeping track of new divorce filings, he estimates he represented over 1,000 different spouses or ex-spouses in family-related matters
- Three of his cases set legal precedent in Indiana, see: In Re Buehler, which deals with the issue of voluntary underemployment
- In Re Gnerlich, which deals with disability payments being included in the marital estate and therefore a divisible asset
- and Baxendale v
- Raich, which deals with the relocation of an eleven year old child from Northwest Indiana to Minneapolis. (To view Mr. Rucinski’s successful oral argument before the Indiana Supreme Court, click this link: Baxendale v
- Raich) Mr. Rucinski has an admirable Appellate record being successful in the following cases: Willsey v
- People
- Terpstra v
- Terpstra
- Milligan v
- Milligan
- and Clark v
- State of Indiana
- Mr. Rucinski has represented clients in divorce cases throughout Indiana, including: Hammond, Gary, East Chicago, Crown Point, Munster, Highland, Dyer, St. John, Hobart, Valparaiso, Kentland, Rensselaer and Michigan City
- Mr. Rucinski is proud of his record mediating cases in the field of family law and remains available to assist couples and their counsel with mediating their disputes
- Mr. Rucinski is honored that he received statewide recognition as the 2014 Family Law Lawyer of the Year for the South Bend Metropolitan Area including Lake and Porter Counties
- Mr. Rucinski was given a Martindale-Hubbell ®AV®* rating from his peers
- He has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers® in America 2008(Copyright 2007 by Woodward/White, Inc., Aiken, S.C.) and every subsequent year in the field of Family Law
- Since its inception in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence in the United States
- In addition, Tom is equally proud that he has also earned the SuperLawyers® (Registered trademark of Key Professional Media, Inc.) designation awarded by Law & Politics and has been named in the SuperLawyers® magazine
Practice Areas Explained
Thomas E. Rucinski's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Thomas E. Rucinski handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Crown Point.
Divorce in Crown Point
A divorce attorney guides you through property division, spousal support, custody, and the final decree — contested or uncontested.
Thomas E. Rucinski is one of 50,071 divorce attorneys indexed nationally. Browse divorce attorneys in Indiana →
Car Accidents in Crown Point
Hurt in a car crash? Car accident lawyers fight insurance companies for fair compensation — free consult, no fee unless you win.
Thomas E. Rucinski is one of 36,434 car accidents attorneys indexed nationally. Browse car accidents attorneys in Indiana →
Child Custody & Visitation in Crown Point
Thomas E. Rucinski is one of 30,982 child custody attorneys indexed nationally. Browse child custody attorneys in Indiana →
Medical Malpractice in Crown Point
Medical malpractice lawyers represent patients harmed by negligent doctors, hospitals, and other providers. Free case review, no fee unless you win.
Thomas E. Rucinski is one of 48,593 medical malpractice attorneys indexed nationally. Browse medical malpractice attorneys in Indiana →
Personal Injury in Crown Point
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
Thomas E. Rucinski is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Indiana →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Crown Point
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 Crown Point 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 venue, 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.
Crown Point Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Crown Point-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Indiana attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Crown Point or all attorneys in Indiana.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Crown Point Choose Thomas E. Rucinski
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Thomas E. Rucinski's practice in the field of divorce, car accidents, child custody, medical malpractice, and personal injury.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Thomas E. Rucinski brings 52+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Iowa and Indiana, Thomas E. Rucinski can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering divorce, car accidents, and child custody, Thomas E. Rucinski can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Crown Point
A Crown Point-based practice means Thomas E. Rucinski attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Thomas E. Rucinski Handles in Crown Point
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Thomas E. Rucinski has experience with under Indiana law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Thomas E. Rucinski directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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Thomas E. Rucinski's Practice Areas & Specializations
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