Jeffrey M. Bellamy
Summary
Jeff uses his background in the law, his Master’s degree in urban planning, and his practical experience as a former city planner to assist clients through the real estate development process. From assisting individuals, families, and businesses on single-issue variances to large-scale rezonings, tax abatements, plats, or approvals, he can provide advice and representation through all phases of the development process, from acquisition to permits.
Jeff also counsels and represents real estate investors and developers in the areas of landlord-tenant law, purchase & acquisition, construction law, mechanic’s liens, title insurance claims, evictions & collections, land contracts, property taxes and tax sales, leases & lease options, defense of code enforcement actions, easements & encumbrances, mortgage financing, and foreclosure and all other areas of real estate law.
Another area of his practice is the representation of Homeowner’s Associations and their managers. He regularly advises HOA Boards and Managers on declaration and covenant enforcement, corporate formalities, collection of assessments, litigation defense, and declaration revisions and amendments.
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With a background in small business, which includes his family’s farm and machine shop, Jeff is especially sensitive to the needs of small business owners. He creates a general counseling relationship with regular availability to small business owners and managers. He regularly assists small business clients in the areas of risk and liability avoidance, corporations and corporate formality, employment issues, contract review and negotiation, collections, bankruptcy rights, covenants not to compete, general litigation, and business succession planning.
Practice Areas
Business Services
Litigation Services
Real Estate Services
Homeowners Associations
Representing Local Governments
Experience
Indiana Tax Court, Law Clerk, 2003
City of Indianapolis, Department of Metropolitan Development, Senior Planner, 1998-2000
Bar Admissions
Indiana, 2003
U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana, 2003
U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, 2003
Publications
Sales Pitch or Broken Promise?: The Indiana Court of Appeals holds developer liable for unfulfilled marketing promises, The Builders Journal, February 2008
Beyond Mechanic’s Liens: Collection Strategies to Consider When Mechanic’s Liens Won’t Work, The Builders Journal, March 2007
Indiana Collection Law: National Business Institute, Lecturer 2007
Real Estate Investing & The Law: Coming Zoning and Code Enforcement Mistakes Made By Real Estate Investors and How to Avoid Them – Parts I & II, Central Indiana Real Estate Investor’s Association (CIREIA) newsletter, December-January 2006
Much Ado About Kelo: As The General Assembly Considers Changes to the State’s Eminent Domain Law, Incremental Change Makes More Sense Than a Massive Overhaul, Res Gestae, January/February 2006
Putting the Boss Behind Bars: Using Criminal Sanctions Against Executives Who Pollute Indiana International and Comparative Law Review (13 Ind. Int’l & Comp. L. Rev., 579, (2003))
Presentations
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act for the Indiana Practitioner, Lecturer, 2007, 2008, National Business Institute
Professional Organizations
Indianapolis Bar Association, Land Use Law Section; Chairperson, 2006
The Builders Association of Greater Indianapolis (BAGI), Government Affairs Committee
The Indiana Builder’s Association – Mechanic’s Lien Law Task Force
Honors and Awards
Indianapolis Bar Association – Bar Leadership Series V, 2008
Indiana State Bar Association Trial College - Graduate
Francis J. Feeney Tax Award, 2003
Pi Alpha Alpha Academic Honors Fraternity
Education
Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis, J.D., 2003
Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indianapolis, M.A., 1998
Community
Involvement
Indianapolis Bar Association: Ask A Lawyer