John J. DeRoss, Jr.

John J. DeRoss, Jr.

Associate
When it comes to practicing law, John is a firm believer of going above and beyond—doing things the right way, and to the best of his abilities. He strives to provide steadfast advocacy and clear, open communication to achieve positive results for each and every client.
John J. DeRoss, Jr.
“I believe anything worth doing is worth doing well, and I apply that sentiment to everything I do.”

John is an associate attorney in Lewis Wagner’s litigation group who concentrates his practice on civil defense litigation in personal injury, premises liability, insurance law, Indiana’s Dram Shop Act, probate law, and adoption contests.

A 2017 graduate of the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, John served on the Indiana Law Review and the Dean’s Tutorial Society, and received multiple awards for high academic achievement. Prior to joining Lewis Wagner in 2021, John served as staff attorney and Judge Pro Tempore for the honorable Judge Michael A. Casati of Hamilton County Superior Court 1, where he gained a wealth of in-court and jury trial experience, which he now utilizes in his own practice.

Committed to improving his skills as an attorney, John takes an active and dedicated interest in organizations aimed at refining his legal craft. He is a member of the Litigation Skills Group and serves on the Publications Committee for the Defense Research Institute, and is a member of the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana. As a former attorney for the Indiana Department of Child Services, prosecuting cases of child abuse and neglect, John is also passionate about the interests and well-being of children throughout the Indy community. John has previously volunteered as a coach in the Lawrence Township Boys Basketball League and with juvenile advocacy and scholastic education groups in Hamilton County and Marion County, Indiana.

John is a native of Chicago and moved to the Indianapolis area as child. He now lives in McCordsville with his wife, Amanda, a fellow Indianapolis-area attorney, and his two wonderful daughters, Hannah, and Aurelia. In addition to spending time with his family, John enjoys reading Marvel comics, watching Chicago Bulls basketball, and reliving his guitar playing days.

John is an associate attorney in Lewis Wagner’s litigation group who concentrates his practice on civil defense litigation in personal injury, premises liability, insurance law, Indiana’s Dram Shop Act, probate law, and adoption contests.

A 2017 graduate of the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, John served on the Indiana Law Review and the Dean’s Tutorial Society, and received multiple awards for high academic achievement. Prior to joining Lewis Wagner in 2021, John served as staff attorney and Judge Pro Tempore for the honorable Judge Michael A. Casati of Hamilton County Superior Court 1, where he gained a wealth of in-court and jury trial experience, which he now utilizes in his own practice.

Committed to improving his skills as an attorney, John takes an active and dedicated interest in organizations aimed at refining his legal craft. He is a member of the Litigation Skills Group and serves on the Publications Committee for the Defense Research Institute, and is a member of the Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana. As a former attorney for the Indiana Department of Child Services, prosecuting cases of child abuse and neglect, John is also passionate about the interests and well-being of children throughout the Indy community. John has previously volunteered as a coach in the Lawrence Township Boys Basketball League and with juvenile advocacy and scholastic education groups in Hamilton County and Marion County, Indiana.

John is a native of Chicago and moved to the Indianapolis area as child. He now lives in McCordsville with his wife, Amanda, a fellow Indianapolis-area attorney, and his two wonderful daughters, Hannah, and Aurelia. In addition to spending time with his family, John enjoys reading Marvel comics, watching Chicago Bulls basketball, and reliving his guitar playing days.

  • Indiana University, B.S., 2013
    • Public and Environmental Affairs—Arts Management
    • Music Studies
  • Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2017
  • Supreme Court of Indiana, 2017
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana, 2021
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, 2021
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana
  • Hamilton County Bar Association
  • Indiana State Bar Association
  • Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
    • CALI Award recipient for top grade in Civil Procedure I, Civil Procedure II, Legal Analysis Research and Communication I, and Legal Analysis Research and Communication II
    • Dean's Tutorial Society
    • Indiana Law Review – Note Development Editor, 2016-2017
  • Indianapolis Bar Association – Bar Leader Series XX, 2023
  • Lawrence Township Boys Basketball League
  • Music for All
  • “Misclassification of Employees as Independent Contractors in Indiana: A State Legislative Solution,” Vol. 50, No. 2, March 9, 2017.